House of Bread franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The House of Bread franchise fee is $5,000 to $35,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $42,000 to $456,000, with about $30,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the House of Bread FDD.
What are the House of Bread franchise fees and investment?
The House of Bread franchise requires a franchise fee of $5,000 to $35,000 and a total initial investment of $42,000 to $456,000. 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) | $5,000 to $35,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $42,000 to $456,000 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $30,000 |
| US locations | 5 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant |
| Headquarters | San Luis Obispo, California |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Franchising since | 1999 |
How does the House of Bread investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
House of Bread's minimum investment of $42,000 is at or below the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 1177 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $5,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, House of Bread belongs with franchises under $50,000.
What should you verify in the House of Bread FDD?
Verify six parts of the House of Bread 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 House of Bread 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 House of Bread?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to House of Bread:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Mai Sushi | $3,500 to $4,500 | $42,170 to $133,500 |
| Tio Juan's Margaritas Mexican Restaurant | $40,000 | $42,170 to $133,500 |
| The Dapper Doughnut | $13,300 to $35,000 | $43,100 to $353,000 |
| Falbo Bros Pizzeria | $10,000 to $15,000 | $40,000 to $160,000 |
| Nestle Toll House Café | $18,750 to $37,500 | $44,000 to $585,800 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a House of Bread franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a House of Bread franchise ranges from $42,000 to $456,000, including a franchise fee of $5,000 to $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 House of Bread franchise?
House of Bread lists a minimum of about $30,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many House of Bread locations are there?
House of Bread reported 5 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 House of Bread been franchising?
House of Bread started offering franchises in 1999 after the company was founded in 1998.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. House of Bread and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by House of Bread. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.