FDD-based startup cost, franchise fee, revenue, profit, SBA default rate, and investment risk signals for Hickory River Smokehouse.
Based on 2025 FDD · 2 filings in corpus
Cost and profit at a glance
Based on FDDIQ's FDD corpus, a Hickory River Smokehouse franchise shows an estimated initial investment of $315K – $1.1M. Reported owner economics show $77K. Use the links below to compare the cost, revenue, SBA loan history, and ROI against other franchises before you request the full FDD.
Quick fee read: $30K franchise fee · 8% royalty/ad burden. These figures are directional screening data, not a substitute for reading the current FDD and speaking with existing operators.
Hickory River Smokehouse requires a total initial investment of $315K to $1.1M (midpoint approximately $700K), with an initial franchise fee of $30K. The ongoing fee burden is 8% (5% royalty plus 3% advertising fund). This is below the industry average of approximately 14.2%, leaving more margin for the operator.
According to Item 19 of the 2025 FDD, the median revenue for Hickory River Smokehouse locations is $1.5M. The implied franchisee EBITDA is approximately $77K, based on the margin assumptions disclosed in the FDD. The estimated cash-on-cash return is 11.0% with a payback period of approximately 9.1 years.
The SBA 7(a) loan default rate of 0.0% is well below the industry average of approximately 9.4%, indicating strong franchisee financial outcomes.
Prospective franchisees should verify all figures against the most recent FDD, conduct validation calls with multiple existing franchisees, and consult with a franchise attorney before signing any agreement.
Analysis based on 2025 FDD filing. FDDIQ Editorial Team · Methodology
Estimated using sector-average margins. Actual franchise economics vary by location, operator, and market conditions.
Industry averages based on FranchiseIQ corpus benchmarks. ▲ = better than avg, ▼ = worse.
Real lending data from SBA 7(a) loans (2015-2015). 1 loans across 1 states.
Source: SBA 7(a) loan data via FOIA. Default rate = charged-off loans / total originated. Industry avg default rate ~7.2%.
Common questions buyers ask about Hickory River Smokehouse, answered from FDD and SBA data.
The total initial investment for a Hickory River Smokehouse franchise ranges from $315K to $1.1M, according to their Franchise Disclosure Document.
Hickory River Smokehouse charges a 5% royalty fee on gross sales.
The initial franchise fee for Hickory River Smokehouse is $30,000.
Location count data for Hickory River Smokehouse is available in their FDD Item 20.
The median revenue for a Hickory River Smokehouse franchise is $1.5M, with a cash-on-cash return of 11.0%, according to FDD Item 19 data.
Hickory River Smokehouse has an SBA loan default rate of 0.0% based on SBA 7(a) loan data.
Whether a Hickory River Smokehouse franchise is worth it depends on total startup cost, royalty burden, FDD Item 19 economics, SBA loan performance, and local operator execution. FDDIQ compares these signals against similar franchises so buyers can screen the opportunity before paying for diligence.
FDD Item 7 breaks down every cost category required to open a franchise - from the franchise fee ...
SBA 7(a) franchise loan approval rates by brand, default rates by sector, and what lenders look f...
Compare every franchise financing option - SBA 7(a) loans, SBA 504 loans, ROBS (401k rollovers), ...
Everything you need to know about SBA 7(a) franchise loans - eligibility, the SBA Franchise Direc...
Everything franchise buyers need to know about SBA 7(a) and 504 loans: rates, down payments, time...
5 data-driven questions every Hickory River Smokehouse franchise buyer should ask.