💰 Investment & Costs
Understanding the true cost of franchise ownership.
How Much Does a Franchise Cost?
The total cost of buying a franchise goes far beyond the franchise fee. Here is what you need to budget for, with real numbers from FDD data.
The Franchise Fee Explained
The initial franchise fee is your buy-in to the brand. Here is what it covers, what it does not, and whether it is negotiable.
Royalty Fees: Average Rates by Industry
Royalties are the largest ongoing cost of franchise ownership. Here is what franchisees pay across industries, with data from 5,800+ brands.
Franchise Financing Options
From SBA loans to retirement rollovers, here are the most common ways to fund a franchise acquisition, with pros and cons for each.
Related franchise investment research
Use these deeper guides to pressure-test the numbers behind the headline franchise fee.
Last updated: June 2026