Lean Kitchen Company franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Lean Kitchen Company franchise fee is $40,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $151,450 to $440,750, with about $45,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Lean Kitchen Company FDD.
What are the Lean Kitchen Company franchise fees and investment?
The Lean Kitchen Company franchise requires a franchise fee of $40,000 and a total initial investment of $151,450 to $440,750. 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) | $40,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $151,450 to $440,750 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $45,000 |
| US locations | 28 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant |
| Headquarters | St. Joseph, Missouri |
| Founded | 2017 |
| Franchising since | 2018 |
How does the Lean Kitchen Company investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Lean Kitchen Company's minimum investment of $151,450 is at or below the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 966 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $40,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Lean Kitchen Company belongs with franchises from $100,000 to $250,000.
What should you verify in the Lean Kitchen Company FDD?
Verify six parts of the Lean Kitchen Company 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 Lean Kitchen Company 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 Lean Kitchen Company?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Lean Kitchen Company:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Acai Republic | $25,000 | $151,500 to $483,500 |
| Street Pizza Gordon Ramsay | $50,000 | $150,700 to $260,500 |
| TacoTime | $4,000 to $30,000 | $150,650 to $787,800 |
| Fuji Grill | $30,000 | $152,400 to $286,300 |
| Rich Farm Ice Cream | $34,000 | $150,500 to $232,500 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Lean Kitchen Company franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Lean Kitchen Company franchise ranges from $151,450 to $440,750, including a franchise fee of $40,000, 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 Lean Kitchen Company franchise?
Lean Kitchen Company lists a minimum of about $45,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Lean Kitchen Company locations are there?
Lean Kitchen Company reported 28 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 Lean Kitchen Company been franchising?
Lean Kitchen Company started offering franchises in 2018 after the company was founded in 2017.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Lean Kitchen Company and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Lean Kitchen Company. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.