Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen franchise fee is $50,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $1,222,045 to $3,923,245, with about $380,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen FDD.
What are the Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen franchise fees and investment?
The Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen franchise requires a franchise fee of $50,000 and a total initial investment of $1,222,045 to $3,923,245. 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) | $50,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $1,222,045 to $3,923,245 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $380,000 |
| US locations | 3,177 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Chicken) |
| Headquarters | Miami, Florida |
| Founded | 1972 |
| Franchising since | 1992 |
How does the Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen's minimum investment of $1,222,045 is above the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 93 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $50,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen belongs with franchises over $500,000.
What should you verify in the Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen FDD?
Verify six parts of the Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen 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 Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen 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 Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| JL Beers | $50,000 | $1,223,000 to $1,883,000 |
| Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Restaurant | $50,000 | $1,215,444 to $2,606,540 |
| Slim Chickens | $30,000 | $1,228,900 to $4,466,000 |
| La Madeleine | $40,000 | $1,230,360 to $2,254,160 |
| Hooters | $50,000 | $1,233,300 to $4,075,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen franchise ranges from $1,222,045 to $3,923,245, including a franchise fee of $50,000, 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 Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen franchise?
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen lists a minimum of about $380,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen locations are there?
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen reported 3,177 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 Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen been franchising?
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen started offering franchises in 1992 after the company was founded in 1972.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.