Papa Ray's franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Papa Ray's franchise fee is $30,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $178,230 to $380,330, with about $45,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Papa Ray's FDD.
What are the Papa Ray's franchise fees and investment?
The Papa Ray's franchise requires a franchise fee of $30,000 and a total initial investment of $178,230 to $380,330. 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) | $30,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $178,230 to $380,330 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $45,000 |
| US locations | 5 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Quick Service) |
| Headquarters | South Barrington, Illinois |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Franchising since | 2014 |
How does the Papa Ray's investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Papa Ray's's minimum investment of $178,230 is at or below the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 896 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $30,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Papa Ray's belongs with franchises from $100,000 to $250,000.
What should you verify in the Papa Ray's FDD?
Verify six parts of the Papa Ray'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 Papa Ray'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 Papa Ray's?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Papa Ray's:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Kona Ice | $15,000 | $178,856 to $226,841 |
| Pure Green | $40,000 | $177,450 to $493,900 |
| World of Sourdough | $49,500 | $177,350 to $449,000 |
| Wok Box Fresh Asian Kitchen | $25,000 | $179,700 to $426,200 |
| Juicy Burgers | $50,000 | $176,600 to $310,500 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Papa Ray's franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Papa Ray's franchise ranges from $178,230 to $380,330, including a franchise fee of $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 Papa Ray's franchise?
Papa Ray's lists a minimum of about $45,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Papa Ray's locations are there?
Papa Ray's reported 5 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 Papa Ray's been franchising?
Papa Ray's started offering franchises in 2014 after the company was founded in 2009.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Papa Ray's and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Papa Ray's. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.