Buffalo's Cafe franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Buffalo's Cafe franchise fee is $50,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $568,020 to $2,528,500, with about $210,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Buffalo's Cafe FDD.
What are the Buffalo's Cafe franchise fees and investment?
The Buffalo's Cafe franchise requires a franchise fee of $50,000 and a total initial investment of $568,020 to $2,528,500. 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) | $50,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $568,020 to $2,528,500 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $210,000 |
| US locations | 13 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Fast Casual) |
| Headquarters | Beverly Hills, California |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Franchising since | 1991 |
How does the Buffalo's Cafe investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Buffalo's Cafe's minimum investment of $568,020 is above the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 274 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $50,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Buffalo's Cafe belongs with franchises over $500,000.
What should you verify in the Buffalo's Cafe FDD?
Verify six parts of the Buffalo's Cafe 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 Buffalo's Cafe 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 Buffalo's Cafe?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Buffalo's Cafe:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Board & Brew | $35,000 | $567,000 to $802,000 |
| Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe | $35,000 | $567,000 to $1,198,000 |
| Country Kitchen International | $40,000 | $565,000 to $1,674,000 |
| Hurricane Grill & Wings | $50,000 | $564,200 to $2,535,600 |
| Jet's Pizza | $15,000 to $30,000 | $572,500 to $786,000 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Buffalo's Cafe franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Buffalo's Cafe franchise ranges from $568,020 to $2,528,500, including a franchise fee of $50,000, 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 Buffalo's Cafe franchise?
Buffalo's Cafe lists a minimum of about $210,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Buffalo's Cafe locations are there?
Buffalo's Cafe reported 13 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 Buffalo's Cafe been franchising?
Buffalo's Cafe started offering franchises in 1991 after the company was founded in 1985.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Buffalo's Cafe and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Buffalo's Cafe. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.