Applebee's Franchise Cost (2025)
Complete cost breakdown for Applebee's franchise: $2941K–$4679K investment, 4% royalty, franchise fee, and ongoing costs. From the official 2025 FDD.
Source: 2025 FDD filed in MN
Total Investment
$2.9M–$4.7M
Franchise Fee
$35K
Non-refundable
Royalty
4%
Gross Sales
Ad Fund
4.25%
Gross Sales
Ongoing Fees
Monthly and annual costs after opening.
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Royalty | 4% of gross sales | |
| Ad Fund | 4.25% of gross sales | |
| Technology Fee | $2,500/one-time plus annual |
Revenue Context
Average Revenue
$2.8M
From Item 19 (2025 FDD)
Investment-to-Revenue Ratio
1.1x
Lower is better (min inv ÷ avg rev)
Annual Fee Burden
8.3%
Royalty + ad fund as % of gross sales
At average revenue of $2.8M, you'd pay approximately $110K/year in royalties alone, plus $117K/year in ad fund contributions.
Other Upfront Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Applicant's Fee | — |
| Franchise Fee Deposit | — |
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