Burger 21 franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Burger 21 franchise fee is $27,000 to $40,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $413,141 to $1,055,496, 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 Burger 21 FDD.
What are the Burger 21 franchise fees and investment?
The Burger 21 franchise requires a franchise fee of $27,000 to $40,000 and a total initial investment of $413,141 to $1,055,496. 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) | $27,000 to $40,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $413,141 to $1,055,496 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $115,000 |
| US locations | 22 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant |
| Headquarters | Tampa, Florida |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Franchising since | 2011 |
How does the Burger 21 investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Burger 21's minimum investment of $413,141 is above the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 431 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $27,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Burger 21 belongs with franchises from $250,000 to $500,000.
What should you verify in the Burger 21 FDD?
Verify six parts of the Burger 21 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 Burger 21 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 Burger 21?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Burger 21:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Beverly Ann's Cookie Truck | $15,000 | $413,100 to $806,900 |
| Biggby Coffee | $20,000 | $412,972 to $1,011,500 |
| Sauce On The Side | $35,000 | $414,000 to $704,500 |
| Angry Crab Shack | $40,000 to $50,000 | $411,800 to $1,203,800 |
| Hoots Wings Restaurant | $27,000 to $30,000 | $414,500 to $1,132,000 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Burger 21 franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Burger 21 franchise ranges from $413,141 to $1,055,496, including a franchise fee of $27,000 to $40,000, 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 Burger 21 franchise?
Burger 21 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 Burger 21 locations are there?
Burger 21 reported 22 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 Burger 21 been franchising?
Burger 21 started offering franchises in 2011 after the company was founded in 2011.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Burger 21 and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Burger 21. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.