Milkshake Factory franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Milkshake Factory franchise fee is $60,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $94,250 to $167,550, with about $25,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Milkshake Factory FDD.
What are the Milkshake Factory franchise fees and investment?
The Milkshake Factory franchise requires a franchise fee of $60,000 and a total initial investment of $94,250 to $167,550. 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) | $60,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $94,250 to $167,550 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $25,000 |
| US locations | 14 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Desserts) |
| Headquarters | Ann Arbor, Michigan |
| Founded | 2022 |
| Franchising since | 2023 |
How does the Milkshake Factory investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Milkshake Factory's minimum investment of $94,250 is at or below the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 1085 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $60,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
What should you verify in the Milkshake Factory FDD?
Verify six parts of the Milkshake Factory 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 Milkshake Factory 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 Milkshake Factory?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Milkshake Factory:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Maui Tacos | $75,000 to $150,000 | $94,000 to $208,000 |
| Cookie Dough Bliss | $3,000 | $93,750 to $197,500 |
| Scooped Cookie Dough Bar | $29,900 | $94,800 to $181,500 |
| vomFASS | $18,750 to $37,500 | $94,950 to $749,500 |
| Waffle Cabin | $23,500 | $93,450 to $225,700 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Milkshake Factory franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Milkshake Factory franchise ranges from $94,250 to $167,550, including a franchise fee of $60,000, 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 Milkshake Factory franchise?
Milkshake Factory lists a minimum of about $25,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Milkshake Factory locations are there?
Milkshake Factory reported 14 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 Milkshake Factory been franchising?
Milkshake Factory started offering franchises in 2023 after the company was founded in 2022.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Milkshake Factory and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Milkshake Factory. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.