Oberweis franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Oberweis franchise fee is $40,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $446,250 to $3,556,500, with about $245,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Oberweis FDD.
What are the Oberweis franchise fees and investment?
The Oberweis franchise requires a franchise fee of $40,000 and a total initial investment of $446,250 to $3,556,500. 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) | $40,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $446,250 to $3,556,500 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $245,000 |
| US locations | 40 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant |
| Headquarters | North Aurora, Illinois |
| Founded | 1954 |
| Franchising since | 2004 |
How does the Oberweis investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Oberweis's minimum investment of $446,250 is above the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 391 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $40,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Oberweis belongs with franchises from $250,000 to $500,000.
What should you verify in the Oberweis FDD?
Verify six parts of the Oberweis 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 Oberweis 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 Oberweis?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Oberweis:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Little Caesar | $20,000 | $446,500 to $1,817,200 |
| Copper Branch | $40,000 | $443,900 to $828,500 |
| Smokin' Oak Pizza | $49,500 | $448,745 to $891,205 |
| Chicago Chicken Shack | $30,000 | $450,000 to $3,762,000 |
| New York Fries | $30,000 | $450,000 to $1,233,400 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Oberweis franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Oberweis franchise ranges from $446,250 to $3,556,500, including a franchise fee of $40,000, 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 Oberweis franchise?
Oberweis lists a minimum of about $245,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Oberweis locations are there?
Oberweis reported 40 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 Oberweis been franchising?
Oberweis started offering franchises in 2004 after the company was founded in 1954.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Oberweis and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Oberweis. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.