Baja Fresh franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Baja Fresh franchise fee is $12,000 to $30,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $428,560 to $1,012,290, with about $115,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Baja Fresh FDD.
What are the Baja Fresh franchise fees and investment?
The Baja Fresh franchise requires a franchise fee of $12,000 to $30,000 and a total initial investment of $428,560 to $1,012,290. The franchise fee is one line inside the total investment, which also covers location, equipment, opening inventory and working capital.
| Franchise fee (FDD Item 5) | $12,000 to $30,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $428,560 to $1,012,290 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $115,000 |
| US locations | 69 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Fast Casual) |
| Headquarters | Scottsdale, Arizona |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Franchising since | 2006 |
How does the Baja Fresh investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Baja Fresh's minimum investment of $428,560 is above the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 412 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $12,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Baja Fresh belongs with franchises from $250,000 to $500,000.
What should you verify in the Baja Fresh FDD?
Verify six parts of the Baja Fresh Franchise Disclosure Document before you sign, because figures change with every annual FDD:
- Item 5 and Item 6: the current franchise fee, royalty, marketing fund and technology fees.
- Item 7: the full investment range by expense line, including working capital.
- Item 19: whether Baja Fresh discloses financial performance data, and which units it covers.
- Item 20: openings, closures and transfers, plus contacts for current and former franchisees.
- Item 21: the franchisor's audited financial statements.
- Item 12: whether your territory is protected.
The full list of Items is in the FDD guide. You must receive the FDD at least 14 calendar days before you sign a binding agreement or pay any money.
Which franchises are similar to Baja Fresh?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Baja Fresh:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Steer | $59,500 | $428,706 to $722,706 |
| Izakaya Sea-Sun | $100,000 | $428,160 to $597,560 |
| Riverside Pizzeria | $50,000 | $428,000 |
| Melt Shop | $35,000 | $426,946 to $767,369 |
| Stacked Pickle | $40,000 | $425,550 to $939,850 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Baja Fresh franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Baja Fresh franchise ranges from $428,560 to $1,012,290, including a franchise fee of $12,000 to $30,000, according to franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. The exact amount depends on location, build-out and working capital, as shown in Item 7 of the FDD.
How much cash do you need to open a Baja Fresh franchise?
Baja Fresh lists a minimum of about $115,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Baja Fresh locations are there?
Baja Fresh reported 69 US locations in the data compiled in October 2026. Item 20 of the FDD shows openings, closures and transfers for the last three years.
How long has Baja Fresh been franchising?
Baja Fresh started offering franchises in 2006 after the company was founded in 2006.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Baja Fresh and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Baja Fresh. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.