Protein Bar & Kitchen^®

Food & Beverage • Year: 2026

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What Is Protein Bar & Kitchen?

Protein Bar & Kitchen is a franchise offering healthy, high-protein menu items-primarily salads, wraps, acai bowls, and protein-packed shakes and smoothies-customizable for various diets. Traditional Protein Bar & Kitchen businesses operate with dine-in, takeout, delivery, and catering service channels and accept orders via counter, mobile, and online platforms. Revenue is generated through the sale of food and beverages, including protein shakes and smoothies, and through catering services.

Protein Bar & Kitchen Franchise: Pros and Cons

With a standout 100 training and support score, 240 total training hours (top 10%) and a spotless legal record (zero disclosed lawsuits or government penalties), the franchisor offers exceptional onboarding and low legal risk, but the $25,000 maximum training fee (top 10%) raises upfront cash needs before opening.

Pros

The 100 training and support score is well above typical (top quarter), indicating the franchisor provides industry-leading onboarding and ongoing support for new operators.

The 240 total training hours - in the top 10% for franchisors - shows the company invests heavily in preparing operators before opening.

Zero disclosed lawsuits, zero franchisor enforcement actions, zero government penalties, and zero franchisee‑initiated judgments are all well below typical for Food & Beverage (bottom 5%), reflecting a clean legal and regulatory record.

Cons

The $25,000 maximum training fee is well above typical (top 10%), which increases your upfront cash requirement before opening.

Lawsuits & Legal Risk

100

Excellent

Protein Bar & Kitchen reported no material legal proceedings,

Territory Protection

35/100

NORMAL

Protein Bar & Kitchen grants a protected, non-exclusive territory defined by site-specific boundaries and market density, but the franchisor retains broad rights to develop additional units, alternative distribution channels and online sales within the area; territory rights are contingent on meeting performance quotas.

Training & Support

100

Excellent

Protein Bar & Kitchen provides a comprehensive 240-hour training curriculum designed to prepare two initial staff members for launch. The program includes on-site launch support for operational readiness; franchisees are responsible for travel and living expenses, and on-site support is available for an additional fee.

How Much Does It Cost to Open a Protein Bar & Kitchen Franchise?

Opening a Protein Bar & Kitchen franchise requires a total initial investment of $369,500 to $685,000, according to the 2026 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

$369,500

Franchise Fee

Real Estate

Equipment & Assets

Reserves

Training

Other

Maximum Investment

$685,000

Minimum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$40,000

Real Estate$180,000

Equipment & Assets$107,500

Reserves$15,000

Training$10,000

Other$17,000

Maximum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$40,000

Real Estate$370,000

Equipment & Assets$185,000

Reserves$25,000

Training$25,000

Other$40,000

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 Protein Bar & Kitchen Franchise Owners Make?

Protein Bar & Kitchen franchise locations reported average gross sales of $1,388,405 and median gross sales of $1,410,659 in 2026, based on financial performance data disclosed in Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Average Gross Sales:

$1,388,405

Median Gross Sales:

$1,410,659

High Gross Sales:

$1,815,774

Low Gross Sales:

$1,048,860

Sample Size:

Percent Attaining Average:

60.0%

Audit Status:

Unaudited

Franchise vs Corporate Performance: The Item 19 dataset is based on 5 affiliate (company-controlled) Protein Bar & Kitchen businesses operating in Traditional Locations in and around Chicago for the 2025 fiscal year. The disclosure states there are "no material differences" between those affiliate businesses and the franchised outlets the franchisor intends to sell, but the presented results therefore reflect affiliate performance rather than a broad set of independent franchisees. Average Gross Sales were $1,388,405 and median Gross Sales were $1,410,659; the franchisor cautions that individual results may differ.

Performance Variability Analysis: Gross Sales show moderate dispersion: range $1,048,860 to $1,815,774. Cost structure is relatively consistent: average COGS 27.7% (range 27.3%–28.3%). Labor shows greater variability: average 28.9% with range 27.1%–30.4%. Profitability measures (EBITDAR) also vary widely - average EBITDAR 28.6% (range 23.3%–36.5%); Adjusted EBITDAR average 20.6% (range 15.3%–28.5%). For Gross Sales, 3 of 5 locations (60%) met or exceeded the average; similar or lower percentages apply to other metrics (e.g., 2 of 5 or 40% met/exceeded average for Labor and Adjusted EBITDAR), indicating meaningful location-to-location variability in operating leverage and margin outcomes.

Data Scope and Limitations: The dataset is small (n=5), geographically concentrated (Chicago area), and excludes non-traditional and certain CBD locations; results are for the 2025 fiscal year only. The figures provided are summary statistics (average, median, range) and no explicit audited financial statement or owner-operator salary (net income) figure is provided in Item 19. The franchisor offers written substantiation on request but does not state the data are audited, so users should treat results as indicative and consider requesting underlying records for validation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Protein Bar & Kitchen a good franchise to own?

Whether Protein Bar & Kitchen is a good franchise depends on your goals, experience, and local market. Key factors from the 2026 FDD: Protein Bar & Kitchen operates 16 locations, received a legal risk score of 100/100, 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 Protein Bar & Kitchen franchise worth the investment?

The value of a Protein Bar & Kitchen franchise investment depends on factors such as location, operator experience, and market demand. The initial investment ranges from $369,500 to $685,000. Protein Bar & Kitchen disclosed average gross sales of $1,388,405 in 2026. The system reported 1 terminated units in 2026. Franchise investments carry inherent risk, and prospective buyers should conduct thorough due diligence before committing capital.

What is the failure rate of Protein Bar & Kitchen franchises?

In the 2026 FDD, Protein Bar & Kitchen reported 1 terminated franchises and 0 non-renewals out of 16 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 Protein Bar & Kitchen franchise?

Break-even timelines for Protein Bar & Kitchen franchises are not disclosed in the 2026 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 Protein Bar & Kitchen a franchise or a corporate-owned business?

As of the 2026 FDD, Protein Bar & Kitchen operates 3 franchised locations and 13 company-owned locations. Franchise opportunities are available through the franchisor's disclosure process.

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