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Earl of Sandwich®

Food & Beverage Year: 2025
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What Is Earl of Sandwich?

Earl of Sandwich is a fast-casual restaurant franchise specializing in made-to-order hot sandwiches on artisan baked loaves, as well as salads, wraps, soups, grab-and-go items, desserts and beverages. Primary service channels include dine-in seating, grab-and-go/carryout, delivery, catering and drive-thru, and restaurants may also offer alcoholic beverages. Locations are generally in urban and densely populated suburban areas near office districts and high-volume shopping and trade centers and may be developed as in-line, end-cap, free-standing or drive-thru sites; franchises may also operate in nontraditional venues such as airports, stadiums, food courts and other captive-market facilities.

Earl of Sandwich Franchise: Pros and Cons

The biggest strength is a spotless operating record-0 disclosed lawsuits, 0 franchisor enforcement actions, and 0 outlet terminations-and a low $25,000 initial franchise fee (roughly half the Food & Beverage industry standard); the biggest risk is that no cons are disclosed, so potential issues may be unreported or not yet revealed.

Pros

0 disclosed lawsuits, 0 cases alleging fraud, and 0 franchisor-initiated enforcement actions - a clean legal and enforcement record that is well below what’s common in Food & Beverage and is a straightforward positive signal for risk exposure.
0 outlet terminations, 0 non-renewals, and 0 reacquired outlets - unusually low exit activity compared with typical F&B systems, suggesting operators have not been exiting the system at the rates you see elsewhere.
The $25,000 initial franchise fee is well below what's common in Food & Beverage (roughly half the industry standard), leaving you with more cash on hand for build-out and opening costs.

Cons

Territory Protection

43/100
NORMAL

Earl of Sandwich grants a non-exclusive protected territory tied to an approved site or defined Development Territory, typically by local boundaries. The franchisor retains rights to develop nearby units (no ROFR), operate Nontraditional sites, sell via e-commerce/retail channels and use other marks; territory is contingent on meeting performance quotas.

Training & Support

86/100
NORMAL

Earl of Sandwich provides a robust 72-hour training curriculum designed to prepare three managerial staff members for launch, combining structured managerial and operational preparation. The program includes on-site launch support focused on operational readiness; on-site assistance is offered for an additional fee, and franchisees are responsible for travel and living expenses.

Franchisee Stability

51/100
NORMAL

Earl of Sandwich receives a Normal Stability Score. Three-year turnover of 7.50% currently sits above the typical Food & Beverage franchise (around 5%), though it remains below the high end of the industry range (about 10%). Out of 6 total exits across the three reported years, ceased operations dominated with 6, alongside no terminations, no non-renewals, and no franchisor buybacks.

The dominance of ceased operations suggests location-level economics: operators likely closed underperforming sites rather than being removed by the franchisor or declining to renew. Dig into where closures clustered, lease and rent pressures, and how the franchisor supports underperforming locations; ask for examples of closed sites, typical time to breakeven, and what remedies or support were offered to struggling operators. For prospective franchisees, retention is in line with industry peers.

How Much Does It Cost to Open an Earl of Sandwich Franchise?

Opening an Earl of Sandwich franchise requires a total initial investment of $303,000 to $639,500, 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.

Minimum Investment

$303,000
Minimum Investment Breakdown
Franchise Fee
Real Estate
Equipment & Assets
Reserves
Training
Other

Maximum Investment

$639,500
Maximum Investment Breakdown

Minimum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$25,000
Real Estate$160,000
Equipment & Assets$82,000
Reserves$10,000
Training$4,000
Other$22,000

Maximum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$25,000
Real Estate$342,000
Equipment & Assets$135,000
Reserves$15,000
Training$6,000
Other$116,500

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.

Earl of Sandwich Franchise Earnings: Not Disclosed

Earl of Sandwich did not disclose financial performance data (Item 19) in their 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Not all franchisors choose to publish this information, which can make it harder for prospective owners to evaluate expected revenue before investing.

This franchise company did not publish these results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Earl of Sandwich a good franchise to own?

Whether Earl of Sandwich is a good franchise depends on your goals, experience, and local market. Key factors from the 2025 FDD: Earl of Sandwich operates 31 locations, received a legal risk score of 100/100, a training and support score of 86/100. The franchisor does not disclose financial performance data. Prospective franchisees should review the full Franchise Disclosure Document and consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decision.

Is an Earl of Sandwich franchise worth the investment?

The value of an Earl of Sandwich franchise investment depends on factors such as location, operator experience, and market demand. The initial investment ranges from $303,000 to $639,500. Franchise investments carry inherent risk, and prospective buyers should conduct thorough due diligence before committing capital.

How long does it take to break even with an Earl of Sandwich franchise?

Break-even timelines for Earl of Sandwich 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 Earl of Sandwich a franchise or a corporate-owned business?

As of the 2025 FDD, Earl of Sandwich operates 26 franchised locations and 5 company-owned locations. Franchise opportunities are available through the franchisor's disclosure process.

Does Earl of Sandwich disclose franchise revenue data?

Earl of Sandwich did not disclose financial performance data (Item 19) in their 2025 FDD. Not all franchisors choose to publish this information.

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