Moe's Southwest Grill®
What Is Moe's Southwest Grill?
Moe's Southwest Grill is a fast-casual franchise featuring southwestern food and other food and beverage products. The business operates across on-premises consumption as well as delivery and carry-out service channels. Restaurants may also offer alcoholic beverages as part of their food and beverage sales.
Moe's Southwest Grill Franchise: Pros and Cons
A major strength is its 100 training and support score (top quarter), offering very comprehensive onboarding and ongoing field support; however, a major risk is the very high upfront capital requirement — Item 7 Total Max of $1,850,250 (assets $250,700–$460,700, max training fee $37,500) which can create financing challenges.
Pros
Cons
Lawsuits & Legal Risk
Facts: The FDD discloses disputes over nonrenewal, terminations, and unauthorized trademark use, resolved via settlement without admission of liability, reflecting active enforcement of system standards. Advice: Review Item 12 renewal/transfer protections, post‑termination covenants, trademark-use restrictions, dispute-resolution clauses, and request settlement copies and enforcement policies to assess renewal and exit rights.
Territory Protection
Grants a protected operating area where the franchisor will not place other physical units. The franchisor retains the right to develop additional units in the surrounding market and to sell via e-commerce and alternative distribution channels; protection is contingent on meeting performance quotas, reflecting market density and site-specific rights.
Training & Support
The brand provides a comprehensive 200-hour training curriculum designed to prepare two designated staff members for opening and initial operations. The program includes on-site launch support for operational readiness; on-site assistance carries additional fees, and franchisees are responsible for associated travel and living expenses.
Unit Growth Analysis
This franchise is in a clear but moderate decline, falling from 659 units in 2022 to 596 in 2025 (a cumulative loss of 63 units, −9.6%), with year-over-year changes of −3.3% (2022→23), −3.9% (2023→24) and −2.6% (2024→25). For investors this signals weakening franchise scale and operational stress, but the improvement in the latest year (decline slowing from −3.9% to −2.6%) suggests the contraction rate may be stabilizing rather than accelerating; further due diligence should focus on drivers of closures and whether remediation efforts are sustainable.
How Much Does It Cost to Open a Moe's Southwest Grill Franchise?
Opening a Moe's Southwest Grill franchise requires a total initial investment of $624,725 to $1,850,250, 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
Maximum Investment
Minimum Investment Breakdown
Maximum Investment Breakdown
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 Moe's Southwest Grill Franchise Owners Make?
Moe's Southwest Grill franchise locations reported average gross sales of $1,235,422 and median gross sales of $1,166,787 in 2025, based on financial performance data disclosed in Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a Moe's Southwest Grill franchise?
The total initial investment for a Moe's Southwest Grill franchise ranges from $624,725 to $1,850,250, according to the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and working capital.
What is the Moe's Southwest Grill initial franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee for Moe's Southwest Grill is $30,500, as stated in the 2025 FDD. This fee is paid upon signing the Franchise Agreement.
How much do Moe's Southwest Grill franchise owners make?
Moe's Southwest Grill franchise locations reported average gross sales of $1,235,422 and median gross sales of $1,166,787 in 2025, based on Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document. Actual earnings vary by location, market, and operator experience.
Does Moe's Southwest Grill have any franchise lawsuits or legal issues?
Moe's Southwest Grill received a legal risk score of 65 out of 100 in the 2025 FDD analysis. Facts: The FDD discloses disputes over nonrenewal, terminations, and unauthorized trademark use, resolved via settlement without admission of liability, reflecting active enforcement of system standards.
Does Moe's Southwest Grill offer exclusive franchise territories?
Moe's Southwest Grill received a territory protection score of 52 out of 100. Grants a protected operating area where the franchisor will not place other physical units.
What training does Moe's Southwest Grill provide to new franchisees?
Moe's Southwest Grill received a training and support score of 100 out of 100. The brand provides a comprehensive 200-hour training curriculum designed to prepare two designated staff members for opening and initial operations.
How many Moe's Southwest Grill franchise locations are there?
Moe's Southwest Grill had 596 total locations as of the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document.
What type of business is Moe's Southwest Grill?
Moe's Southwest Grill is a fast-casual franchise featuring southwestern food and other food and beverage products.
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