Burger Franchise Opportunities
Burger franchise costs typically range from about $250,000 for fast-casual and drive-thru concepts to $2 million or more for full-service, dine-in restaurants. Smash-burger, better-burger, fast-casual, and family dine-in concepts all sit side by side here, with the initial investment, franchise fee, royalty rate, and Item 19 figures for each brand read straight from its FDD. Filter for Item 19 disclosure to see which flagship brands actually publish the high average unit volumes they're known for.
All Burger Franchises
Search, filter, and compare every burger franchise we've analyzed. Select up to four to compare side by side.
| Brand | Item 19 | Fee | Investment | Royalty | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A&W Food & Beverage | None | $15K | $299K - $1.6M | 5% | 427 | |
| Beef 'O' Brady's Food & Beverage · Est. 2007 | Disclosed | $25K | $526K - $1.7M | 5% | 99 | |
| Board & Brew Food & Beverage · Est. 2012 | None | $35K | $697K - $1.1M | 5% | 31 | |
| Built Custom Burgers Food & Beverage | None | $30K | $418K - $1.3M | 5% | 3 | |
| Buns on Fire Food & Beverage · Est. 2021 | None | $40K | $255K - $462K | 6% | 2 | |
| Burger King Food & Beverage · Est. 1954 | Disclosed | $50K | $2.2M - $3.3M | 4.5% | 5,518 | |
| Burgerfi Food & Beverage · Est. 2024 | Disclosed | $35K | $705K - $1.2M | 5.5% | 66 | |
| Checkers Food & Beverage · Est. 1991 | Disclosed | $30K | $214K - $1.9M | 4% | 719 | |
| Dog Haus Food & Beverage · Est. 2018 | Disclosed | $40K | $357K - $626K | 4–6% | 59 | |
| Dog Haus Food & Beverage · Est. 2018 | Disclosed | $40K | — | 6% | 59 | |
| Elevation Burger Food & Beverage | Disclosed | $50K | $517K - $2.0M | 6% | 32 | |
| Farmer Boys Food & Beverage | None | $45K | $1.1M - $2.6M | 5% | 71 | |
| Fat Shack Food & Beverage · Est. 2013 | Disclosed | $35K | $183K - $488K | 6% | 28 | |
| Fatburger Food & Beverage | Disclosed | $50K | $509K - $2.0M | 6% | 194 | |
| Five Guys Food & Beverage · Est. 2017 | None | $25K | $978K - $1.4M | 8% | — | |
| Flame Broiler Food & Beverage · Est. 1996 | None | $35K | $465K - $776K | 5% | 111 | |
| Ford's Garage Food & Beverage · Est. 2014 | Disclosed | $50K | $3.5M - $6.4M | 5.5% | 33 | |
| Frank & Furter's Food & Beverage · Est. 2023 | Disclosed | $35K | $404K - $1.1M | 6% | 3 | |
| Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Food & Beverage · Est. 2003 | Disclosed | $35K | $855K - $2.8M | 5% | 542 | |
| Frylicious Food & Beverage · Est. 2025 | None | — | — | — | — | |
| Hardee's Food & Beverage | Disclosed | $25K | $1.4M - $2.6M | 3.5–4% | 1,287 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a burger franchise cost?
Burger franchise costs generally range from around $250,000 for fast-casual and drive-thru builds to over $2 million for full-service restaurants. Real estate, equipment, and dining-room size are the main cost drivers. Item 7 of the FDD lists each brand’s exact initial investment.
What is the cheapest burger franchise to open?
The lowest-capital burger franchise opportunities tend to be smaller fast-casual or counter-service formats without a large dining room, and some can start near $250,000. Sort the table above by lowest investment to compare entry costs.
Are burger franchises profitable?
Burgers are a staple of quick-service food, and brands that publish Item 19 Financial Performance Representations let you review real average unit sales before you invest. Margins hinge on location, labor, and food costs. Use the Item 19 filter to find burger franchises that disclose revenue.
What royalty do burger franchises charge?
Most burger franchises charge royalties of 4% to 6% of gross sales plus an advertising-fund contribution. All ongoing fees appear in Item 6 of the FDD. Compare royalty and ad-fund rates across brands in the table above.