Gold Star Chili franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Gold Star Chili franchise fee is $10,000 to $50,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $506,117 to $1,730,950, with about $160,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Gold Star Chili FDD.
What are the Gold Star Chili franchise fees and investment?
The Gold Star Chili franchise requires a franchise fee of $10,000 to $50,000 and a total initial investment of $506,117 to $1,730,950. 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) | $10,000 to $50,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $506,117 to $1,730,950 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $160,000 |
| US locations | 57 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Full-Service) |
| Headquarters | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Founded | 1965 |
| Franchising since | 1966 |
How does the Gold Star Chili investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Gold Star Chili's minimum investment of $506,117 is above the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 329 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $10,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Gold Star Chili belongs with franchises over $500,000.
What should you verify in the Gold Star Chili FDD?
Verify six parts of the Gold Star Chili 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 Gold Star Chili 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 Gold Star Chili?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Gold Star Chili:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Meet Fresh | $20,000 | $507,500 to $795,000 |
| Penn Station East Coast Subs | $25,000 | $507,500 to $858,750 |
| Duff's Famous Wings | $30,000 | $508,100 to $1,106,500 |
| Hurts Donut Company | $35,000 | $504,000 to $825,000 |
| Elevation Burger | $50,000 | $508,600 to $1,694,900 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Gold Star Chili franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Gold Star Chili franchise ranges from $506,117 to $1,730,950, including a franchise fee of $10,000 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 Gold Star Chili franchise?
Gold Star Chili lists a minimum of about $160,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Gold Star Chili locations are there?
Gold Star Chili reported 57 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 Gold Star Chili been franchising?
Gold Star Chili started offering franchises in 1966 after the company was founded in 1965.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Gold Star Chili and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Gold Star Chili. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.