Cousins Subs franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Cousins Subs franchise fee is $25,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $464,700 to $1,164,500, with about $130,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Cousins Subs FDD.
What are the Cousins Subs franchise fees and investment?
The Cousins Subs franchise requires a franchise fee of $25,000 and a total initial investment of $464,700 to $1,164,500. 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) | $25,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $464,700 to $1,164,500 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $130,000 |
| US locations | 94 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Sandwich Chains) |
| Headquarters | Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin |
| Founded | 1972 |
| Franchising since | 1978 |
How does the Cousins Subs investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Cousins Subs's minimum investment of $464,700 is above the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 372 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $25,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Cousins Subs belongs with franchises from $250,000 to $500,000.
What should you verify in the Cousins Subs FDD?
Verify six parts of the Cousins Subs 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 Cousins Subs 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 Cousins Subs?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Cousins Subs:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Aunt Millies Bakeries | $30,000 to $100,000 | $464,750 to $857,050 |
| Quaker Steak & Lube | $30,000 to $40,000 | $465,000 to $3,532,500 |
| Sushi Sake | $40,000 | $464,103 to $1,324,175 |
| It's Boba Time | $45,000 | $465,600 to $596,800 |
| PINCHO | $30,000 | $463,055 to $655,500 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Cousins Subs franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Cousins Subs franchise ranges from $464,700 to $1,164,500, including a franchise fee of $25,000, 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 Cousins Subs franchise?
Cousins Subs lists a minimum of about $130,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Cousins Subs locations are there?
Cousins Subs reported 94 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 Cousins Subs been franchising?
Cousins Subs started offering franchises in 1978 after the company was founded in 1972.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Cousins Subs and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cousins Subs. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.