Lee's Famous Recipe franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Lee's Famous Recipe franchise fee is $35,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $1,340,600 to $2,353,900, with about $320,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Lee's Famous Recipe FDD.
What are the Lee's Famous Recipe franchise fees and investment?
The Lee's Famous Recipe franchise requires a franchise fee of $35,000 and a total initial investment of $1,340,600 to $2,353,900. 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) | $1,340,600 to $2,353,900 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $320,000 |
| US locations | 126 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Chicken) |
| Headquarters | Shalimar, Florida |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Franchising since | 2013 |
How does the Lee's Famous Recipe investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Lee's Famous Recipe's minimum investment of $1,340,600 is above the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 78 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, Lee's Famous Recipe belongs with franchises over $500,000.
What should you verify in the Lee's Famous Recipe FDD?
Verify six parts of the Lee's Famous Recipe 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 Lee's Famous Recipe 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 Lee's Famous Recipe?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Lee's Famous Recipe:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Kajiken | $50,000 | $1,337,500 to $2,612,500 |
| World Of Beer | $50,000 | $1,346,100 to $1,996,974 |
| Barrio Queen | $50,000 | $1,346,250 to $3,515,750 |
| Schlotzsky Austin Eatery | $35,500 | $1,348,545 to $1,951,300 |
| Sizzler | $35,000 | $1,329,750 to $2,607,750 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Lee's Famous Recipe franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Lee's Famous Recipe franchise ranges from $1,340,600 to $2,353,900, 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 Lee's Famous Recipe franchise?
Lee's Famous Recipe lists a minimum of about $320,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Lee's Famous Recipe locations are there?
Lee's Famous Recipe reported 126 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 Lee's Famous Recipe been franchising?
Lee's Famous Recipe started offering franchises in 2013 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. Lee's Famous Recipe and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Lee's Famous Recipe. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.