Chatime franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Chatime franchise fee is $54,900 and the total initial investment ranges from $293,100 to $479,900, 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 Chatime FDD.
What are the Chatime franchise fees and investment?
The Chatime franchise requires a franchise fee of $54,900 and a total initial investment of $293,100 to $479,900. 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) | $54,900 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $293,100 to $479,900 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $70,000 |
| US locations | 15 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Coffee, Tea, & Drinks) |
| Headquarters | Dover, Delaware |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Franchising since | 2014 |
How does the Chatime investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Chatime's minimum investment of $293,100 is at or below the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 614 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $54,900 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Chatime belongs with franchises from $250,000 to $500,000.
What should you verify in the Chatime FDD?
Verify six parts of the Chatime 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 Chatime 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 Chatime?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Chatime:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Doner Shack | $40,000 | $293,500 to $995,700 |
| Magnolia Bakery | $49,000 | $291,320 to $917,050 |
| Bonanza Steakhouse | $20,000 to $40,000 | $291,300 to $1,487,100 |
| Yogurtland | $30,000 to $40,000 | $294,900 to $637,600 |
| Kelly's Cajun Grill | $30,000 | $295,000 to $1,403,500 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Chatime franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Chatime franchise ranges from $293,100 to $479,900, including a franchise fee of $54,900, 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 Chatime franchise?
Chatime 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 Chatime locations are there?
Chatime reported 15 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 Chatime been franchising?
Chatime started offering franchises in 2014 after the company was founded in 2014.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Chatime and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Chatime. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.