Fat Shack franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Fat Shack franchise fee is $35,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $183,250 to $487,600, with about $50,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Fat Shack FDD.
What are the Fat Shack franchise fees and investment?
The Fat Shack franchise requires a franchise fee of $35,000 and a total initial investment of $183,250 to $487,600. 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) | $35,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $183,250 to $487,600 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $50,000 |
| US locations | 29 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Quick Service) |
| Headquarters | Denver, Colorado |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Franchising since | 2015 |
How does the Fat Shack investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Fat Shack's minimum investment of $183,250 is at or below the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 885 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $35,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Fat Shack belongs with franchises from $100,000 to $250,000.
What should you verify in the Fat Shack FDD?
Verify six parts of the Fat Shack 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 Fat Shack 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 Fat Shack?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Fat Shack:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Wetzel's Pretzels | $20,000 to $40,000 | $183,000 to $712,450 |
| Jazen Tea | $10,000 | $182,600 to $389,930 |
| Kisses From Italy | $35,000 | $183,900 to $691,000 |
| CoCoHoDo | $35,000 | $182,500 to $300,000 |
| Submarina California Subs | $10,000 to $15,000 | $182,500 to $370,250 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Fat Shack franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Fat Shack franchise ranges from $183,250 to $487,600, including a franchise fee of $35,000, 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 Fat Shack franchise?
Fat Shack lists a minimum of about $50,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Fat Shack locations are there?
Fat Shack reported 29 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 Fat Shack been franchising?
Fat Shack started offering franchises in 2015 after the company was founded in 2013.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Fat Shack and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Fat Shack. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.