Applebee's is one of the largest casual dining restaurant franchises in the United States, known for its neighborhood bar and grill concept featuring a broad American menu. With a franchise fee of $3,500, the brand offers one of the most…
Total Investment
$2.0M – $11.5M
Franchise Fee
$3,500
Royalty Rate
4% of Gross Sales Gross Sales
Total Units
42
Franchising Since
N/A
🌻About Applebee's Franchise
Applebee's is one of the largest casual dining restaurant franchises in the United States, known for its neighborhood bar and grill concept featuring a broad American menu.
With a franchise fee of $3,500, the brand offers one of the most affordable entry level franchise fees in the casual dining category, though total investment is significantly higher.
Each Applebee's location serves a diverse menu of steaks, ribs, burgers, pasta, salads, and appetizers in a casual, family friendly atmosphere with full bar service.
💰Applebee's Franchise Cost & Fees
Minimum Investment
$2.0M
Average Investment
$6.8M
Maximum Investment
$11.5M
Fee Type
Amount
Notes
Initial Franchise Fee
$3,500
One-time payment upon signing
Royalty Fee
4% of Gross Sales of gross sales
Ongoing; paid monthly
Marketing/Ad Fund
Currently, 4.25% of total Gross
Sales. This percentage can be
increased or decre
National brand fund
Total Investment Range
$2,013,688 – $11,521,696
Includes build-out, inventory, working capital
The investment range of $2.0M–$11.5M reflects variability in build-out costs, store size, lease terms, and market. The combined royalty (4% of Gross Sales) and marketing fee (Currently, 4.25% of total Gross
Sales. This percentage can be
increased or decre) are ongoing costs paid as a percentage of gross sales.
💵Additional Fees (Item 6)
Fee Type
Amount
Transfer Fee
$2,500
Renewal Fee
If you are in compliance
(Franchise Agreement Section
1.3), you may renew the
Fr
📊Applebee's Franchise Earnings — Item 19
!
Applebee's does not make an Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD. This means they do not disclose revenue, profit, or earnings data for franchised locations. Before investing, ask the franchisor directly for franchisee contact information so you can speak with existing owners about their actual financial performance.
Applebee's does not include an Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD. Contact information for current and former franchisees is listed in Item 20 of the FDD.
⚖Applebee's Litigation & Risk Flags
✓
Clean Litigation RecordApplebee's has no pending litigation actions listed in their FDD. There is also no bankruptcy history disclosed.
Litigation and bankruptcy data is sourced from Items 3 and 4 of the FDD. Always verify current status directly from the most recent FDD.
📈Applebee's System Growth
Total Units
42
Franchised
42
Company-Owned
0
Applebee's currently operates 42 franchised locations and 0 company-owned units. Unit count data is sourced from Item 20 of the FDD.
❓Applebee's Franchise — FAQ
The total investment to open a Applebee's franchise ranges from $2,013,688 to $11,521,696, per their Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the initial franchise fee of $3,500. The investment covers build-out, inventory, equipment, signage, working capital, and other startup costs.
Applebee's charges a royalty fee of 4% of Gross Sales of gross sales, plus a Currently, 4.25% of total Gross
Sales. This percentage can be
increased or decre contribution to the marketing/advertising fund. These fees are paid on an ongoing basis.
You can download the Applebee's Franchise Disclosure Document free on this page. The FDD is a public document filed with state franchise registries. Always also request the current FDD directly from Applebee's to ensure you have the most up-to-date version.
Applebee's does not provide an Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD, which means they do not disclose franchisee revenue or earnings data. Prospective investors should contact existing franchisees directly (listed in Item 20 of the FDD) to gather real-world financial performance information.
Applebee's has been offering franchise opportunities. The FDD shows an investment range of $2,013,688-$11,521,696, a 4% of Gross Sales royalty, and no Item 19 earnings disclosure. There is no pending litigation. Review the full FDD and contact current franchisees listed in Item 20 before making any investment decision.
The franchise fee is $3,500 and the total investment ranges from $2,013,688 to $11,521,696 depending on location size and market. Contact the franchisor directly for current net worth and liquid capital requirements, territory availability, and application details.
Get free info on this franchise. We will send you a detailed FDD report by email.
Data Source & Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only. It is not an offer to sell or buy a franchise. This profile is based on publicly available FDD data sourced from state franchise registry filings. All information is for research purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. Data may be outdated or contain errors. Always obtain the current FDD directly from Applebee's and consult a qualified franchise attorney before making any investment decision. FranchiseOverview.com is operated by Franchising Compliance, LLC and is not affiliated with Applebee's or any of its subsidiaries. To report an inaccuracy: info@franchiseoverview.com
Applebee's
Total Investment
$2.0M – $11.5M
💰 Costs & Fees
Franchise Fee$3,500
Royalty4% of Gross Sales
Marketing FeeCurrently, 4.25% of total Gross
Sales. This percentage can be
increased or decre
FinancingNot Available
🏢 System Overview
Total Units42
Earnings Claim (Item 19)No
📄 Contract Terms
⚖️ Legal & Risk
Pending LitigationClean
Bankruptcy HistoryNone
Download the Full Applebee's FDD
2024 · Public Registry Document
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