Project Lean Nation franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Project Lean Nation franchise fee is $60,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $395,750 to $713,600, with about $95,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Project Lean Nation FDD.
What are the Project Lean Nation franchise fees and investment?
The Project Lean Nation franchise requires a franchise fee of $60,000 and a total initial investment of $395,750 to $713,600. 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) | $395,750 to $713,600 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $95,000 |
| US locations | 29 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Fast Casual) |
| Headquarters | Rochester, New York |
| Founded | 2020 |
| Franchising since | 2021 |
How does the Project Lean Nation investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Project Lean Nation's minimum investment of $395,750 is above the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 449 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.
By minimum investment, Project Lean Nation belongs with franchises from $250,000 to $500,000.
What should you verify in the Project Lean Nation FDD?
Verify six parts of the Project Lean Nation 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 Project Lean Nation 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 Project Lean Nation?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Project Lean Nation:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Cosi | $40,000 | $396,000 to $743,000 |
| Miller's famous sandwiches | $40,000 | $396,000 to $818,000 |
| Patsy's Pizzeria | $75,000 | $395,500 to $651,000 |
| Sarpino's Pizzeria | $30,000 | $395,500 to $582,000 |
| Burger Hut | $35,000 | $395,150 to $449,850 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Project Lean Nation franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Project Lean Nation franchise ranges from $395,750 to $713,600, 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 Project Lean Nation franchise?
Project Lean Nation lists a minimum of about $95,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Project Lean Nation locations are there?
Project Lean Nation reported 29 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 Project Lean Nation been franchising?
Project Lean Nation started offering franchises in 2021 after the company was founded in 2020.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Project Lean Nation and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Project Lean Nation. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.