Cole's Backyard Grill franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Cole's Backyard Grill franchise fee is $20,000 to $29,500 and the total initial investment ranges from $236,600 to $1,217,300, with about $95,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Cole's Backyard Grill FDD.
What are the Cole's Backyard Grill franchise fees and investment?
The Cole's Backyard Grill franchise requires a franchise fee of $20,000 to $29,500 and a total initial investment of $236,600 to $1,217,300. 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) | $20,000 to $29,500 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $236,600 to $1,217,300 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $95,000 |
| US locations | Not reported |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Full-Service) |
| Headquarters | Richardson, Texas |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Franchising since | 2015 |
How does the Cole's Backyard Grill investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Cole's Backyard Grill's minimum investment of $236,600 is at or below the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 739 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $20,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Cole's Backyard Grill belongs with franchises from $100,000 to $250,000.
What should you verify in the Cole's Backyard Grill FDD?
Verify six parts of the Cole's Backyard Grill 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 Cole's Backyard Grill 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 Cole's Backyard Grill?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Cole's Backyard Grill:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Philly's Best Cheesesteaks | $38,000 | $237,000 to $488,000 |
| Quack Daddy Donuts | $50,000 | $236,200 to $333,000 |
| Better Blend | $35,000 | $237,500 to $354,000 |
| Supreme Deli | $5,000 to $50,000 | $235,641 to $414,419 |
| Thirstea | $35,000 | $235,490 to $510,950 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Cole's Backyard Grill franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Cole's Backyard Grill franchise ranges from $236,600 to $1,217,300, including a franchise fee of $20,000 to $29,500, 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 Cole's Backyard Grill franchise?
Cole's Backyard Grill lists a minimum of about $95,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Cole's Backyard Grill locations are there?
A current US unit count for Cole's Backyard Grill is not reported in our data. Item 20 of the FDD lists the number of franchised and company-owned outlets.
How long has Cole's Backyard Grill been franchising?
Cole's Backyard Grill started offering franchises in 2015 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. Cole's Backyard Grill and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cole's Backyard Grill. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.