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How Much Does a Applebee’s Franchise Cost?

2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) Data

A Applebee’s franchise costs between $5,640,263 and $7,124,610 in total initial investment, according to the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. The initial franchise fee is $35,000.

$5,640,263

Minimum Investment

$7,124,610

Maximum Investment

$35,000

Franchise Fee

Applebee’s Franchise Fee

Initial Franchise Fee $35,000

Applebee’s Total Investment Breakdown

Here is the itemized breakdown of costs to open a Applebee’s franchise, as reported in the 2025 FDD Item 7 (Estimated Initial Investment).

Minimum Investment

Maximum Investment

Franchise Fee $0

Real Estate $3,262,020 – $4,463,815

Building Costs (purchase, construction, remodeling, etc.) Varies based on supplier and expense type $1,721,592 – $2,355,863

Building Costs (purchase, construction, remodeling, etc.) Varies based on supplier and expense type $1,254,046 – $1,716,062

Site Work As required by suppliers $168,274 – $230,269

Site Work As required by suppliers $118,108 – $161,621

expenses) Purchase of Land As arranged · As arranged $0

Equipment & Assets $2,055,698 – $2,272,088

Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment and Signage As required by suppliers $1,220,400 – $1,348,864

Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment and Signage As required by suppliers $835,298 – $923,224

Training $0

Working Capital & Reserves $0

Other Costs $322,545 – $388,707

Professional Services As required by suppliers $123,725 – $143,261

Professional Services As required by suppliers $97,820 – $133,858

Type of Expenditure Initial Organizational and Training Expenses (incorporation, legal and accounting fees, training, site location and miscellaneous Varies based on supplier and expense type $75,000 – $82,688

Permits/Fees ( See below for Liquor License) Varies based on supplier and expense type $26,000 – $28,900

Total Estimated Investment $5,640,263 – $7,124,610

How Does Applebee’s Compare to Other Food & Beverage Franchises?

Applebee’s's minimum investment of $5,640,263 is above the Food & Beverage industry median. The median minimum investment for Food & Beverage franchises is $315,233.

$5,640,263

Applebee’s Min

$315,233

Food & Beverage Median Min

$7,124,610

Applebee’s Max

$693,450

Food & Beverage Median Max

Investment Analysis

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to open a Applebee’s?

The total startup cost for a Applebee’s franchise ranges from $5,640,263 to $7,124,610, according to the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) Item 7. The largest cost category is Real Estate at $3,262,020 to $4,463,815.

How much is the Applebee’s franchise fee?

The Applebee’s franchise fee is $35,000, as disclosed in the 2025 FDD. This is a one-time upfront fee paid to the franchisor and is separate from the total initial investment.

Is Applebee’s a good investment?

Applebee’s requires a total franchise investment of $5,640,263 to $7,124,610 and scores Legal Risk: 88/100, Training: 100/100 in our FDD analysis. See our full Applebee’s franchise review for a detailed assessment of risks, territory, and support.

How much does a Applebee’s franchise owner make?

The 2025 FDD does not necessarily disclose owner profit. It shows gross sales of $2,760,000 for 1,443 real franchise locations. Sales and revenue figures do not show expenses, debt service, taxes, or owner take-home income.

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All product and company names mentioned are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of these names does not imply any affiliation with, sponsorship by, or endorsement by them. Data sourced from publicly available Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs).

ZeeReport does not audit the information it receives and does not independently verify the information in every instance.

Prospective franchisees should consult the original Franchise Disclosure Document before making any investment decision.

Data is extracted via automated AI tools. Inaccuracies or omissions are possible due to the nature of the technology.

This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, financial, investment, or other professional advice.

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