ScorecardWorth It?HistoryDatabaseCompareDistress Signals
QSRLimited DataItem 19: ✓ DisclosedHigh Confidence · 85/100

Taco Bell Franchise Cost and Profit

FDD-based startup cost, franchise fee, revenue, profit, SBA default rate, and investment risk signals for Taco Bell.

Based on 2025 FDD · 3 filings in corpus

FranchiseIQ Score
74
B
Moderate-Low Risk
Composite score from 3 risk dimensions. Click for breakdown ↓
Health Score
B
76/100
6/7 metrics · High confidence

Cost and profit at a glance

How much does a Taco Bell franchise cost and make?

Based on FDDIQ's FDD corpus, a Taco Bell franchise shows an estimated initial investment of $1.9M – $4.3M. The franchisor does not provide enough Item 19 data for a clean profit estimate. Use the links below to compare the cost, revenue, SBA loan history, and ROI against other franchises before you request the full FDD.

Startup Cost
$1.9M – $4.3M
Total initial investment
Profit / Revenue
Item 19 not disclosed
FDD Item 19 signal
Payback Signal
Estimate unavailable
Modeled return metric
SBA Default Rate
2.6%
Loan repayment history
Compare franchise costsEstimate franchise ROICheck SBA default ratesBrowse QSR franchisesCompare similar franchises

Quick fee read: $45K franchise fee · 9.8% royalty/ad burden. These figures are directional screening data, not a substitute for reading the current FDD and speaking with existing operators.

10-brand free summary pilot · report unlocked

Taco Bell is in the free pilot, so the buyer-grade evidence is visible on this page.

Use this as a source-document screening summary: FDD investment range, royalty/ad burden, Item 19 economics, SBA repayment outcomes, unit movement, and comparable-brand context. Treat missing or low-confidence fields as diligence flags — not as blanks to ignore.

FDD-derived fieldsSBA matched where availableItem 19 labeledUnit movement checkedHigh confidence
What is unlocked
• Risk Engine rationale and sub-scores• Growth Forecast table when forecast data exists• Fee, cost, SBA, and comparable-brand context
Need another brand? Unlock the 10-report pack →Compare against the sample report
Total Investment Range$1.9M$4.3M
MinMid: $3.1MMax

Key Metrics

Franchise Fee
$45K
Royalty Rate
5.5%
Ad Fund Rate
4.3%
Total Burden
9.8%
Royalty + ad fund
Units (2023)
7,198
+166 vs prior yr
Net Unit Growth
2.4%
Year over year

Financial Analysis

Cash-on-Cash Return
-
Annual estimated return
Payback Period
-
Break-even timeline
SBA Default Rate
2.6%
vs ~7.2% industry avg
Median Revenue
-
Item 19 disclosed

Estimated using sector-average margins. Actual franchise economics vary by location, operator, and market conditions.

Taco Bell vs. QSR Average

MetricTaco BellQSR Avg
SBA Default Rate2.6%9.4%
Cash-on-Cash Return - 14.2%
Total Investment$3.1M$380K

Industry averages based on FranchiseIQ corpus benchmarks. ▲ = better than avg, ▼ = worse.

SBA Loan Performance

Real lending data from SBA 7(a) loans (2010-2024). 42 loans across 20 states.

Default Rate
2.6%
Low Risk
Total SBA Loans
42
20 states
Total Loan Volume
$32.5M
SBA 7(a) approved
Avg Loan Size
$774K
Per franchisee
Loan Status Breakdown
25
Paid in Full (60%)
4
Currently Active
1
Charged Off (0.7% by $)
$229K
Total Charged Off ($)
Paid Active Charged Off

Source: SBA 7(a) loan data via FOIA. Default rate = charged-off loans / total originated. Industry avg default rate ~7.2%.

Compare

Taco Bell vs Chick-fil-A, Inc.Taco Bell vs Loving CupTaco Bell vs Donut King

Multi-Brand Operators · Who Runs This Brand

Flynn Group
View Hub
San Francisco, CA· 2,850+ locations
460 locations of this brand
Part of a multi-brand portfolio. See how operators structure holdings, financing, and growth →
Muy! Brands
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Dallas, TX· 350+ locations
130 locations of this brand
Part of a multi-brand portfolio. See how operators structure holdings, financing, and growth →
Harman Family of Companies
View Hub
Detroit, MI· 200+ locations
80 locations of this brand
Part of a multi-brand portfolio. See how operators structure holdings, financing, and growth →
SNC Holdings
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Indianapolis, IN· 140+ locations
70 locations of this brand
Part of a multi-brand portfolio. See how operators structure holdings, financing, and growth →
Cambridge Franchise Holdings
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Charlotte, NC· 230+ locations
60 locations of this brand
Part of a multi-brand portfolio. See how operators structure holdings, financing, and growth →
Luihn Brothers
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Jacksonville, FL· 200+ locations
50 locations of this brand
Part of a multi-brand portfolio. See how operators structure holdings, financing, and growth →
Valenti Restaurants
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Jacksonville, FL· 100+ locations
50 locations of this brand
Part of a multi-brand portfolio. See how operators structure holdings, financing, and growth →
TLC Enterprises
View Hub
Little Rock, AR· 90+ locations
45 locations of this brand
Part of a multi-brand portfolio. See how operators structure holdings, financing, and growth →
The Namaste Group
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Chicago, IL· 180+ locations
40 locations of this brand
Part of a multi-brand portfolio. See how operators structure holdings, financing, and growth →
RREMC Restaurants
View Hub
Fort Wayne, IN· 170+ locations
40 locations of this brand
Part of a multi-brand portfolio. See how operators structure holdings, financing, and growth →
Precision Restaurant Group
View Hub
Columbus, OH· 95+ locations
40 locations of this brand
Part of a multi-brand portfolio. See how operators structure holdings, financing, and growth →
Harbor Food Service
View Hub
Dayton, OH· 110+ locations
25 locations of this brand
Part of a multi-brand portfolio. See how operators structure holdings, financing, and growth →
Explore all multi-brand franchise operators →

Similar Franchises · QSR

Chick-fil-A, Inc.
Revenue Only
$427K$2.3M
Loving Cup
No Item 19
$166K$242K
Donut King
Limited Data
$211K$332K
Chick-fil-A, Inc.
$427K – $2.3M
Loving Cup
$166K – $242K
Donut King
$211K – $332K
Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar
$210K – $264K

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Questions to Ask Before You Sign

5 data-driven questions every Taco Bell franchise buyer should ask.

  1. 1.What is Taco Bell's SBA default rate compared to its competitors?Learn more →
  2. 2.Does Taco Bell disclose Item 19 financial performance representations?Learn more →
  3. 3.What is the net unit growth trend over the past 3 years?Learn more →
  4. 4.What is the franchisee termination and transfer rate per Item 20?Learn more →
  5. 5.What do the FDD litigation disclosures (Item 3) reveal about franchisor legal history?Learn more →
Generate attorney questions for Taco BellValidation call guide →
Data sourced from publicly filed Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs) submitted to state franchise regulators. SBA loan data from public SBA 7(a) records. Information reflects the most recent FDD filing in our database and may not reflect current terms. Always verify with the franchisor's current FDD before making any investment decision. Not legal or financial advice.

Explore More

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