Mama's Meatball franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Mama's Meatball franchise fee is $35,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $253,300 to $415,400, with about $60,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Mama's Meatball FDD.
What are the Mama's Meatball franchise fees and investment?
The Mama's Meatball franchise requires a franchise fee of $35,000 and a total initial investment of $253,300 to $415,400. 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) | $253,300 to $415,400 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $60,000 |
| US locations | 1 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Italian Fast Food) |
| Headquarters | San Luis Obispo, California |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Franchising since | 2022 |
How does the Mama's Meatball investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Mama's Meatball's minimum investment of $253,300 is at or below the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 701 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, Mama's Meatball belongs with franchises from $250,000 to $500,000.
What should you verify in the Mama's Meatball FDD?
Verify six parts of the Mama's Meatball 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 Mama's Meatball 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 Mama's Meatball?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Mama's Meatball:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Drnk Coffee + Tea | $40,000 | $253,150 to $637,600 |
| Qwench Juice Bar | $40,000 | $253,150 to $637,600 |
| Which Wich | $30,000 | $253,500 to $822,250 |
| Blimpie | $9,520 to $18,000 | $254,070 to $588,750 |
| Sugar Llamas | $30,000 | $252,400 to $368,200 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Mama's Meatball franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Mama's Meatball franchise ranges from $253,300 to $415,400, 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 Mama's Meatball franchise?
Mama's Meatball lists a minimum of about $60,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Mama's Meatball locations are there?
Mama's Meatball reported 1 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 Mama's Meatball been franchising?
Mama's Meatball started offering franchises in 2022 after the company was founded in 2006.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Mama's Meatball and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Mama's Meatball. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.