D.P. Dough®
What Is D.P. Dough?
D.P. Dough is a restaurant franchise specializing in freshly baked and prepared calzones, along with wings, desserts, beverages, and other food items. Franchisees operate to franchisor-specified recipes, procedures, and proprietary branded ingredients/products, and generate revenue primarily from sales of those food and beverage items through carry-out, delivery, and on-premises dining channels. D.P. Dough Restaurants are typically located in towns with a significant college or university population and must be developed and operated to franchisor specifications.
D.P. Dough Franchise: Pros and Cons
The franchisor offers strong territorial protection - a territory protection score of 73 ranks in the top 5% for food and beverage - but carries notable risk, with seven outlet non-renewals, an unusually high number for the sector that suggests multiple operators chose not to continue their agreements.
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Cons
Lawsuits & Legal Risk
D.P. Dough. The Facts: D.P. Dough has sued former franchisees alleging unpaid royalties, failure to meet minimum‑term obligations, promissory‑note defaults, and non‑compete violations; a federal matter produced a temporary restraining order and a default‑judgment motion remains pending. The Advice: Review post‑termination non‑compete language, payment/guaranty clauses, Item 12 territorial protections, and enforcement history.
Territory Protection
D.P. Dough grants an exclusive protected Territory-generally a three‑mile radius adjusted for market density-where the franchisor is restricted from soliciting or accepting orders and the Territory is not contingent on sales performance, while the franchisor may sell pre‑packaged items, operate non‑traditional venues and develop additional nearby units.
Training & Support
The brand offers a comprehensive 206-hour training curriculum designed to prepare two individuals for initial operations and franchise launch. The program includes on-site launch support for operational readiness, with on-site assistance offered at an additional cost, and franchisees are responsible for travel and living expenses.
Unit Growth Analysis
This franchise grew from 52 units in 2023 to 56 in 2024 (+4 units, +7.7%), then to 58 in 2025 (+2 units, +3.6%), so expansion is positive but decelerating. For investors, the brand remains healthy (net unit additions continue) but momentum has slowed-the annual additions halved and the growth rate dropped ~4.1 percentage points-which may reflect market saturation, a tighter franchisee pipeline, or a deliberate shift toward consolidation.
How Much Does It Cost to Open a D.P. Dough Franchise?
Opening a D.P. Dough franchise requires a total initial investment of $120,980 to $359,910, according to the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. This range covers the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and initial working capital needed to launch and operate through the early months.
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Minimum Investment Breakdown
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Investment Analysis
This investment analysis is coming soon. Have ideas for other analyses you'd like us to add? Get in touch.
The initial investment amounts shown are estimates only. Actual costs may vary based on location size, business model, and multi-unit ownership arrangements. We recommend reviewing the full Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.
How Much Do D.P. Dough Franchise Owners Make?
D.P. Dough franchise locations reported average gross sales of $764,419 and median gross sales of $766,179 in 2025, based on financial performance data disclosed in Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is D.P. Dough a good franchise to own?
Whether D.P. Dough is a good franchise depends on your goals, experience, and local market. Key factors from the 2025 FDD: D.P. Dough operates 58 locations, received a legal risk score of 66/100, a training and support score of 100/100. Financial performance data is disclosed in Item 19. Prospective franchisees should review the full Franchise Disclosure Document and consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decision.
Is a D.P. Dough franchise worth the investment?
The value of a D.P. Dough franchise investment depends on factors such as location, operator experience, and market demand. The initial investment ranges from $120,980 to $359,910. D.P. Dough disclosed average gross sales of $764,419 in 2025. Franchise investments carry inherent risk, and prospective buyers should conduct thorough due diligence before committing capital.
What is the failure rate of D.P. Dough franchises?
In the 2025 FDD, D.P. Dough reported 0 terminated franchises and 7 non-renewals out of 58 total locations. Franchise closures can result from many factors including market conditions, operator decisions, lease expirations, and franchisor enforcement actions. The FDD's Item 20 provides the most detailed unit turnover data.
How long does it take to break even with a D.P. Dough franchise?
Break-even timelines for D.P. Dough franchises are not disclosed in the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Break-even periods vary significantly based on initial investment level, local market conditions, operating costs, and revenue ramp-up speed. Prospective franchisees should build a pro forma financial model using Item 7 cost estimates and, where available, Item 19 financial performance data from the FDD.
Is D.P. Dough a franchise or a corporate-owned business?
As of the 2025 FDD, D.P. Dough operates 49 franchised locations and 9 company-owned locations. Franchise opportunities are available through the franchisor's disclosure process.
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