Dairy Mart franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Dairy Mart franchise fee is $17,500 and the total initial investment ranges from $58,400 to $121,500, with about $15,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Dairy Mart FDD.
What are the Dairy Mart franchise fees and investment?
The Dairy Mart franchise requires a franchise fee of $17,500 and a total initial investment of $58,400 to $121,500. 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) | $17,500 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $58,400 to $121,500 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $15,000 |
| US locations | 1,220 |
| Industry | Retail (Grocery Store) |
| Headquarters | Columbus, Indiana |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Franchising since | 2007 |
How does the Dairy Mart investment compare with other retail franchises?
Dairy Mart's minimum investment of $58,400 is at or below the median minimum investment of $159,700 across the 223 retail franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 188 of the other 222 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $17,500 compares with an industry median of $30,000.
What should you verify in the Dairy Mart FDD?
Verify six parts of the Dairy Mart 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 Dairy Mart 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 Dairy Mart?
These retail franchises have the closest minimum investment to Dairy Mart:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| OTA World | $0 | $59,000 to $156,000 |
| Hemp Haven | $15,000 | $62,000 to $120,000 |
| Tile Liquidators | $28,000 | $54,800 to $99,600 |
| Flower Tent | $49,500 | $62,100 to $89,600 |
| Dental Fix Rx | $25,000 | $62,600 to $153,500 |
See every brand in retail franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Dairy Mart franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Dairy Mart franchise ranges from $58,400 to $121,500, including a franchise fee of $17,500, 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 Dairy Mart franchise?
Dairy Mart lists a minimum of about $15,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Dairy Mart locations are there?
Dairy Mart reported 1,220 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 Dairy Mart been franchising?
Dairy Mart started offering franchises in 2007 after the company was founded in 2002.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Dairy Mart and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Dairy Mart. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.