Blimpie franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Blimpie franchise fee is $9,520 to $18,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $254,070 to $588,750, with about $70,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Blimpie FDD.
What are the Blimpie franchise fees and investment?
The Blimpie franchise requires a franchise fee of $9,520 to $18,000 and a total initial investment of $254,070 to $588,750. 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) | $9,520 to $18,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $254,070 to $588,750 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $70,000 |
| US locations | 101 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Quick Service) |
| Headquarters | Scottsdale, Arizona |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Franchising since | 2008 |
How does the Blimpie investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Blimpie's minimum investment of $254,070 is at or below the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 699 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $9,520 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Blimpie belongs with franchises from $250,000 to $500,000.
What should you verify in the Blimpie FDD?
Verify six parts of the Blimpie 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 Blimpie 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 Blimpie?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Blimpie:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Which Wich | $30,000 | $253,500 to $822,250 |
| Mama's Meatball | $35,000 | $253,300 to $415,400 |
| Drnk Coffee + Tea | $40,000 | $253,150 to $637,600 |
| Qwench Juice Bar | $40,000 | $253,150 to $637,600 |
| World Famous Meats | $25,000 | $255,000 to $307,600 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Blimpie franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Blimpie franchise ranges from $254,070 to $588,750, including a franchise fee of $9,520 to $18,000, 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 Blimpie franchise?
Blimpie lists a minimum of about $70,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Blimpie locations are there?
Blimpie reported 101 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 Blimpie been franchising?
Blimpie started offering franchises in 2008 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. Blimpie and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Blimpie. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.