About Dash In Food Centers Franchise
Dash In is a modern convenience store franchise offering quality branded products, food and beverage items, tobacco, and in many locations, beer, wine, and lottery games.
Several locations also include gasoline operations and car washes.
The franchise fee is $25,000, and the brand has been franchising since 2003 under The Wills Group, Inc.
Dash In Food Centers Franchise Cost & Fees
Minimum Investment
$120K
Average Investment
$400K
Maximum Investment
$680K
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $25,000 | One-time payment upon signing |
| Royalty Fee | 30% of Gross Profit of gross sales | Ongoing; paid monthly |
| Marketing/Ad Fund | None | National brand fund |
| Total Investment Range | $119,600 – $680,300 | Includes build-out, inventory, working capital |
The investment range of $120K–$680K reflects variability in build-out costs, store size, lease terms, and market. The combined royalty (30% of Gross Profit) and marketing fee (None) are ongoing costs paid as a percentage of gross sales.
Investment Breakdown (Item 7)
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Site Fee | $25,000 | $475,000 |
| Initial Deposit | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Initial Inventory, Cash Register Fund and Store Supply Items | $43,700 | $107,000 |
| Training Expenses | $3,000 | $5,000 |
| Insurance | $900 | $1,800 |
| Professional Fees | $1,000 | $5,000 |
| Business Licenses | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| Additional Funds (for first three months) | $10,000 | $50,000 |
Additional Fees (Item 6)
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transfer Fee | 50% of our then-current initial franchise fee |
| Renewal Fee | 50% of our then-current initial franchise fee |
| Technology Fee | None |
| Audit Fee | Cost of audit; Cost of second audit |
| Required Minimum Credit Balance | $10,000, which can increase each year by an amount not to exceed $2,500 per year |
| Penalty Fee for Failure to Maintain Funds in Open Account | Varies, based on amount below $0 (e.g., $100 for $0-$10,000 below, up to $2,000 for $190,001-$200,000 below) |
| Administrative Enforcement Fee | $150 per event of default |
| Costs and Attorneys’ Fees | Will vary under circumstances |
| Store Maintenance | Will vary under circumstances |
| Indemnification | Will vary under circumstances |
| Liquidated Damages | Present value of average Dash In Charges calculated through the lesser of (a) 24 months; or (b) the remaining months in the initial term |
| Supplier Inspection and Testing Fee | Cost of inspection or test |
| Additional Training Fee | Reasonable per diem fee, plus your costs and expenses |
Training Program (Item 11)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Duration | Approximately three (3) weeks |
| Classroom Training | At least 48 hours, plus variable hours for Gasoline and Car Wash operations. |
| On-the-Job Training | At least 36 hours, plus variable hours for Gasoline and Car Wash operations. |
| Training Location | La Plata, Maryland and/or a nearby company-owned DASH IN Store |
| Additional Training | The Key Person and/or other employees must attend refresher courses, seminars, and other training programs as reasonably required by the franchisor. All employees must attend the 'Employee Empowerment . . . Customer Focus' training program, which the franchisee provides to its employees. |
Territory Rights (Item 12)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Territory Type | Non-exclusive |
| Exclusive Territory | No |
| Territory Size | Site-specific |
| Description | Franchisees operate from a specified, franchisor-selected location and cannot relocate without consent. No territorial protections are granted, meaning franchisees may face competition from other franchisees, company-owned stores, or other distribution channels and competitive brands controlled by the franchisor or its affiliates. The franchisor retains broad rights to operate or license other convenience stores or businesses under any name or mark, and to sell products through any channel of distribution, regardless of proximity to the franchised store. |
Renewal, Termination & Transfer (Item 17)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Initial Term | 10 years |
| Renewal Term | 10 years |
| Renewal Fee | 50% of our then-current initial franchise fee |
| Renewal Conditions | Franchisee must provide written notice of intent to renew (15-18 months prior to term end), be in compliance with current standards, not be in breach of any agreements, execute the then-current franchise agreement (which may differ materially), pay the renewal fee, execute a general release, and complete any required remediation to bring the store into compliance with current standards. |
| Transfer Fee | 50% of our then-current initial franchise fee (or $15,000 if franchises are not being offered at the time of transfer) |
| Transfer Conditions | Transferor and guarantors must execute a general release and acknowledge post-term covenants. Transferee must assume obligations, execute a guaranty, meet franchisor's educational, managerial, business, moral character, business reputation, credit rating, and financial resource standards. Transferee must execute the then-current franchise agreement (which may differ materially), and the franchisor must approve the transfer terms and the store may need to be upgraded to current standards. No fee for immediate family member transfers. |
| Termination for Cause | Immediate termination can occur for insolvency, bankruptcy, general assignment for creditors, unsatisfied judgments, dissolution, or levy against business property. Termination without opportunity to cure can occur for lease termination, loss of right to occupy location, abandonment of store, Key Person ceasing active management, felony conviction, public safety threat, unauthorized transfer, non-compliance with non-compete, disclosure of confidential information, failure to maintain minimum credit balance (after 3 days notice), knowingly maintaining false records, inaccurate sales reporting, repeated defaults, failure to open by Changeover Date, Key Person failing training, selling unauthorized products, fraud, or providing account information to third parties. |
| Non-Compete Period | 2 years |
| Non-Compete Details | During the term, franchisee is prohibited from owning, operating, engaging in, or having any interest in any other convenience store or similar competitive business (except those operated as of the Effective Date). After termination or expiration, for a continuous uninterrupted period of two years, franchisee is prohibited from engaging in a competitive business within a one-mile radius of the former franchised store or any other DASH IN Store using the System, or soliciting/diverting franchisor's business, customers, or suppliers. |
Operations & Supply (Items 8 & 15)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Owner-Operator Required | Yes |
| Participation Details | The Key Person must devote full-time and best efforts to the management and on-site supervision of the franchised store, including gasoline and car wash operations if applicable. The Key Person and one additional employee must successfully complete all required initial training. If the franchisee is a legal entity, all owners (including the Key Person if an owner) must guarantee the franchisee's obligations and be bound by confidentiality and non-compete covenants. |
| Required Suppliers | Franchisee must purchase all inventory and supply items from the franchisor. The cash register system and required software are designated by the franchisor. Proprietary Products, ingredients for Proprietary Products (e.g., soft drink syrup), and containers/supplies bearing the Marks (e.g., cups, napkins) must be purchased from franchisor-designated suppliers or combined distribution centers (CDCs). |
| Supply Restrictions | The franchisor may change the number of Designated Distributors and may designate itself, an affiliate, or a third party as the exclusive source for any particular item. Franchisees may only offer merchandise and services authorized by the franchisor. Unapproved products or suppliers require written approval from the franchisor, which may involve inspection and testing costs borne by the franchisee. |
| Franchisor Revenue from Suppliers | $6,238,409.00, or 2.11% of total revenues of $295,253,484.00, from franchisee purchases and leases for the year ending September 30, 2021. |
Financing (Item 10)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Financing Available | No |
| Description | Neither the franchisor nor its affiliates offer direct or indirect financing, nor do they guarantee any franchisee's notes, leases, or other obligations. |
Dash In Food Centers Franchise Earnings — Item 19
Dash In Food Centers 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.
Dash In Food Centers 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.
Dash In Food Centers Litigation & Risk Flags
Clean Litigation RecordDash In Food Centers 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.
Dash In Food Centers System Growth
Total Units
55
Franchised
43
Company-Owned
12
Dash In Food Centers currently operates 43 franchised locations and 12 company-owned units. Unit count data is sourced from Item 20 of the FDD.
Unit History (Item 20)
| Year | Opened | Closed | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5 | 4 | 58 |
| 2020 | 5 | 7 | 56 |
| 2021 | 1 | 2 | 55 |
Transfers: 19 | Closures: 11
State Registrations
Registered in 4 states: MD, NY, VA, DE
Franchisor Financials (Item 21)
Revenue
$295.3M
Dash In Food Centers Franchise — FAQ
The total investment to open a Dash In Food Centers franchise ranges from $119,600 to $680,300, per their Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the initial franchise fee of $25,000. The investment covers build-out, inventory, equipment, signage, working capital, and other startup costs.
Dash In Food Centers charges a royalty fee of 30% of Gross Profit of gross sales, plus a None contribution to the marketing/advertising fund. These fees are paid on an ongoing basis.
You can download the Dash In Food Centers 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 Dash In Food Centers to ensure you have the most up-to-date version.
Dash In Food Centers 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.
Dash In Food Centers has been franchising since 2003. The FDD shows an investment range of $119,600-$680,300, a 30% of Gross Profit 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 $25,000 and the total investment ranges from $119,600 to $680,300 depending on location size and market. Contact the franchisor directly for current net worth and liquid capital requirements, territory availability, and application details.
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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 Dash In Food Centers and consult a qualified franchise attorney before making any investment decision. FranchiseOverview.com is operated by Franchising Compliance, LLC and is not affiliated with Dash In Food Centers or any of its subsidiaries. To report an inaccuracy: info@franchiseoverview.com