ScorecardWorth It?HistoryDatabaseDistress Signals
QSRLimited DataItem 19: ✓ DisclosedHigh Confidence · 85/100FDD data: 2025 · Fresh

TACO BELL EXPRESS Franchise Cost and Profit

FDD-based startup cost, franchise fee, revenue, profit, SBA default rate, and investment risk signals for TACO BELL EXPRESS.

Based on 2025 FDD · 5 filings in corpus

FranchiseIQ Score
74
B
Moderate-Low Risk
Composite score from 3 risk dimensions. Click for breakdown ↓
Health Score
C+
65/100
5/7 metrics · High confidence
Full analysis unlocks:
✓ Cash-on-Cash return
✓ Payback period
✓ SBA default rate
✓ Red flags assessment
✓ Comparable franchises
Unlock 10 Reports — Start with TACO BELL EXPRESS →Already have access? Sign in →

Cost and profit at a glance

How much does a TACO BELL EXPRESS franchise cost and make?

Based on FDDIQ's FDD corpus, a TACO BELL EXPRESS franchise shows an estimated initial investment of $287K – $856K. 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
$287K – $856K
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 costs →Estimate franchise ROI →Check SBA default rates →Browse QSR franchises →Compare similar franchises →

Quick fee read: $23K franchise fee · 14.3% royalty/ad burden. These figures are directional screening data, not a substitute for reading the current FDD and speaking with existing operators.

Free decision snapshot

Before you talk to TACO BELL EXPRESS, check the numbers buyers usually miss.

The unlocked report ties this brand's FDD disclosures to SBA outcomes, Item 20 movement, fee load, missing-data labels, and buyer assumptions — so you can decide whether this is worth deeper diligence.

FDD disclosure qualitySBA default outcomesItem 20 unit movementFee/cost stressComparable brands
Unlock 10 reports — start with TACO BELL EXPRESSView sample report first

$19.99 one-time · Includes 10 reports · 7-day satisfaction guarantee

TACO BELL EXPRESS Franchise Analysis

TACO BELL EXPRESS requires a total initial investment of $287K to $856K (midpoint approximately $572K), with an initial franchise fee of $23K. The ongoing fee burden is 14.3% (10% royalty plus 4.3% advertising fund). This is in line with industry norms of approximately 14.2%.

TACO BELL EXPRESS does not publicly disclose Item 19 financial performance data in their FDD. This is a significant transparency gap — franchisees must rely on validation calls and personal research rather than audited financial representations. Prospective buyers should demand current unit-level financials from existing operators during due diligence.

TACO BELL EXPRESS operates approximately 7,198 franchised units. Unit count is relatively stable with a 0.0% year-over-year change. The SBA 7(a) loan default rate of 2.6% 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

Total Investment Range$287K – $856K
MinMid: $572KMax

Key Metrics

Franchise Fee
$23K
Royalty Rate
10%
Ad Fund Rate
4.3%
Total Burden
14.3%
Royalty + ad fund
Units (2023)
7,198
+2 vs prior yr
Net Unit Growth
→ 0.0%
Year over year
Cash-on-Cash Return
~8–15%
Annual estimated return
Payback Period
~5–12 yrs
Break-even timeline
SBA Default Rate
2.6%
vs ~7.2% industry avg
Median Revenue
~$800K–$2M
Item 19 disclosed
Red Flags Assessment
MEDIUM: Royalty burden above 10%
MED ×1
Premium Data

Unlock Full Franchise Analysis

Get cash-on-cash return, payback period, SBA default rate, and red flag details for TACO BELL EXPRESS.

CoC ReturnPayback PeriodSBA Default RateMedian RevenueEbitda MarginRisk Score
Unlock 10 Reports - $19.99

Or sign in if you already purchased

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

TACO BELL EXPRESS vs. QSR Average

MetricTACO BELL EXPRESSQSR Avg
SBA Default Rate2.6%▲9.4%
Cash-on-Cash Return - 14.2%
Total Investment$572K$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%.

TACO BELL EXPRESS Franchise FAQs

Common questions buyers ask about TACO BELL EXPRESS, answered from FDD and SBA data.

How much does a TACO BELL EXPRESS franchise cost?

The total initial investment for a TACO BELL EXPRESS franchise ranges from $287K to $856K, according to their Franchise Disclosure Document.

What are TACO BELL EXPRESS franchise royalty fees?

TACO BELL EXPRESS charges a 10% royalty fee on gross sales.

What is the TACO BELL EXPRESS franchise fee?

The initial franchise fee for TACO BELL EXPRESS is $22,500.

How many TACO BELL EXPRESS franchise locations are there?

There are approximately 7,198 TACO BELL EXPRESS franchise locations as of 2023.

How much profit does a TACO BELL EXPRESS franchise make?

Profit data for TACO BELL EXPRESS is disclosed in FDD Item 19 (Financial Performance Representation). Check their most recent Franchise Disclosure Document for current figures.

What is the SBA loan default rate for TACO BELL EXPRESS?

TACO BELL EXPRESS has an SBA loan default rate of 2.6% based on SBA 7(a) loan data.

Is a TACO BELL EXPRESS franchise worth it?

Whether a TACO BELL EXPRESS 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.

Similar Franchises · QSR

Chick-fil-A, Inc.
Revenue Only
$427K–$2.3M
McDonald's
Revenue Only
$1.5M–$2.7M
Get Fried
Revenue Only
$102K–$505K
Chick-fil-A, Inc.
$427K – $2.3M
McDonald's
$1.5M – $2.7M
Get Fried
$102K – $505K
MAGNOLIA BAKERY
$422K – $1.2M

Related Blog Posts

Taco Bell Franchise Cost and Profits 2026 | FranchiseIQ

Taco Bell franchise costs $1.9M-$4.3M to open with a $45,000 franchise fee. 6% royalties.

2026-04-14 · Brand Analysis
Franchise Development Incentives Tracker 2026: DQ, Firehouse, Potbelly, Marco

Compare 2026 franchise development incentives from Dairy Queen, Firehouse Subs, Potbelly, and Marco

2026-06-08 · General
FDD Item 7: Estimated Initial Investment - What It Really Costs to Open a Franchise (2026) | FranchiseIQ

FDD Item 7 breaks down every cost to open a franchise. Read all 23 line items, stress-test the ra...

2026-03-20 · General
2026 Franchise Fee Increases: What FDD Renewals Reveal | FranchiseIQ

2026 FDD renewals analyzed: franchise fee hikes at Nan Xiang Express (+50%), GYMGUYZ (+40%), LINE...

2026-04-12 · General
SBA Franchise Loan Approval Rates: Which Brands Get Funded (2026 Data) | FranchiseIQ

SBA 7(a) franchise loan approval rates by brand, default rates by sector, and what lenders want i...

2026-04-03 · Consistently High SBA Loan Volume
📬 Get notified when TACO BELL EXPRESS changes fees
Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Questions to Ask Before You Sign

5 data-driven questions every TACO BELL EXPRESS franchise buyer should ask.

  1. 1.What is TACO BELL EXPRESS's SBA default rate compared to its competitors?Learn more →
  2. 2.Does TACO BELL EXPRESS 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 BELL EXPRESS →Validation 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

All QSR FranchisesBest Fast Food FranchisesLow-Cost FranchisesFranchises With Item 19Industry BenchmarksQSR Franchise Costs ExplainedRoyalty Fees: Average Rates by IndustryHow to Read Item 19 Earnings Claims