Milkster franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Milkster franchise fee is $15,000 to $30,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $25,650 to $192,000, with about $15,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Milkster FDD.
What are the Milkster franchise fees and investment?
The Milkster franchise requires a franchise fee of $15,000 to $30,000 and a total initial investment of $25,650 to $192,000. 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) | $15,000 to $30,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $25,650 to $192,000 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $15,000 |
| US locations | 12 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Desserts) |
| Headquarters | Troy, Michigan |
| Founded | 2017 |
| Franchising since | 2017 |
How does the Milkster investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Milkster's minimum investment of $25,650 is at or below the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 1190 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $15,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Milkster belongs with franchises under $50,000.
What should you verify in the Milkster FDD?
Verify six parts of the Milkster 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 Milkster 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 Milkster?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Milkster:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| U-Swirl | $6,000 to $25,000 | $26,000 to $686,320 |
| Balance Pan-Asian Grille | $35,000 | $24,550 to $196,500 |
| Hissho Sushi/Oumi Sushi/Sushi with Gusto | $7,500 | $26,849 to $136,829 |
| Cousins Maine Lobster (Food Truck) | $40,000 | $24,340 to $1,216,000 |
| Chester's | $3,500 | $27,500 to $301,500 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Milkster franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Milkster franchise ranges from $25,650 to $192,000, including a franchise fee of $15,000 to $30,000, 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 Milkster franchise?
Milkster lists a minimum of about $15,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Milkster locations are there?
Milkster reported 12 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 Milkster been franchising?
Milkster started offering franchises in 2017 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. Milkster and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Milkster. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.