Long John Silver's franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Long John Silver's franchise fee is $35,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $1,902,500 to $4,160,000, with about $495,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Long John Silver's FDD.
What are the Long John Silver's franchise fees and investment?
The Long John Silver's franchise requires a franchise fee of $35,000 and a total initial investment of $1,902,500 to $4,160,000. 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) | $35,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $1,902,500 to $4,160,000 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $495,000 |
| US locations | 483 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Quick Service) |
| Headquarters | Louisville, Kentucky |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Franchising since | 1969 |
How does the Long John Silver's investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Long John Silver's's minimum investment of $1,902,500 is above the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 32 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, Long John Silver's belongs with franchises over $500,000.
What should you verify in the Long John Silver's FDD?
Verify six parts of the Long John Silver's 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 Long John Silver's 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 Long John Silver's?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Long John Silver's:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Jack In The Box | $50,000 | $1,910,500 to $4,032,100 |
| CoCo's Bakery | $50,000 | $1,925,000 to $2,848,000 |
| Honest | $25,000 | $1,862,000 to $2,689,000 |
| Tom's Urban | $50,000 | $1,821,000 to $5,090,500 |
| Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza | $50,000 | $1,987,250 to $3,696,125 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Long John Silver's franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Long John Silver's franchise ranges from $1,902,500 to $4,160,000, 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 Long John Silver's franchise?
Long John Silver's lists a minimum of about $495,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Long John Silver's locations are there?
Long John Silver's reported 483 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 Long John Silver's been franchising?
Long John Silver's started offering franchises in 1969 after the company was founded in 1969.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Long John Silver's and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Long John Silver's. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.