Destination Athlete franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Destination Athlete franchise fee is $20,000 to $50,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $28,300 to $93,610, with about $10,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Destination Athlete FDD.
What are the Destination Athlete franchise fees and investment?
The Destination Athlete franchise requires a franchise fee of $20,000 to $50,000 and a total initial investment of $28,300 to $93,610. 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 $50,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $28,300 to $93,610 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $10,000 |
| US locations | 260 |
| Industry | Retail |
| Headquarters | Lebanon, New Jersey |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Franchising since | 2008 |
How does the Destination Athlete investment compare with other retail franchises?
Destination Athlete's minimum investment of $28,300 is at or below the median minimum investment of $159,700 across the 223 retail franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 207 of the other 222 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $20,000 compares with an industry median of $30,000.
By minimum investment, Destination Athlete belongs with franchises under $50,000.
What should you verify in the Destination Athlete FDD?
Verify six parts of the Destination Athlete 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 Destination Athlete 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 Destination Athlete?
These retail franchises have the closest minimum investment to Destination Athlete:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| NYS Collection | $12,500 to $35,000 | $25,520 to $176,078 |
| Learning Express | $20,000 to $40,000 | $25,375 to $378,251 |
| Fastframe | $5,000 to $35,000 | $31,250 to $246,663 |
| New Remedies | $5,000 to $30,000 | $25,300 to $416,750 |
| Sterling Optical | $10,000 to $30,000 | $32,840 to $2,093,750 |
See every brand in retail franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Destination Athlete franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Destination Athlete franchise ranges from $28,300 to $93,610, including a franchise fee of $20,000 to $50,000, 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 Destination Athlete franchise?
Destination Athlete lists a minimum of about $10,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Destination Athlete locations are there?
Destination Athlete reported 260 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 Destination Athlete been franchising?
Destination Athlete started offering franchises in 2008 after the company was founded in 2008.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Destination Athlete and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Destination Athlete. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.