Beard Papa's franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Beard Papa's franchise fee is $45,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $200,900 to $477,000, with about $55,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Beard Papa's FDD.
What are the Beard Papa's franchise fees and investment?
The Beard Papa's franchise requires a franchise fee of $45,000 and a total initial investment of $200,900 to $477,000. 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) | $45,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $200,900 to $477,000 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $55,000 |
| US locations | 43 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Desserts) |
| Headquarters | Cerritos, California |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Franchising since | 2004 |
How does the Beard Papa's investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Beard Papa's's minimum investment of $200,900 is at or below the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 836 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $45,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Beard Papa's belongs with franchises from $100,000 to $250,000.
What should you verify in the Beard Papa's FDD?
Verify six parts of the Beard Papa's 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 Beard Papa's 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 Beard Papa's?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Beard Papa's:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| We Olive | $30,000 | $200,500 to $391,500 |
| Red Brick Pizza | $15,000 to $30,000 | $201,400 to $548,200 |
| Pizza Guys | $25,000 | $200,100 to $424,050 |
| Red's Savoy Pizza | $35,000 to $40,000 | $201,800 to $508,250 |
| Rush Bowls | $39,000 | $200,000 to $547,000 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Beard Papa's franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Beard Papa's franchise ranges from $200,900 to $477,000, including a franchise fee of $45,000, 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 Beard Papa's franchise?
Beard Papa's lists a minimum of about $55,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Beard Papa's locations are there?
Beard Papa's reported 43 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 Beard Papa's been franchising?
Beard Papa's started offering franchises in 2004 after the company was founded in 1999.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Beard Papa's and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Beard Papa's. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.