Ruby's Diner franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Ruby's Diner franchise fee is $35,000 to $45,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $737,500 to $1,922,000, with about $205,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Ruby's Diner FDD.
What are the Ruby's Diner franchise fees and investment?
The Ruby's Diner franchise requires a franchise fee of $35,000 to $45,000 and a total initial investment of $737,500 to $1,922,000. 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) | $35,000 to $45,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $737,500 to $1,922,000 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $205,000 |
| US locations | Not reported |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Full-Service) |
| Headquarters | Newport Beach, California |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Franchising since | 1982 |
How does the Ruby's Diner investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Ruby's Diner's minimum investment of $737,500 is above the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 196 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $35,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Ruby's Diner belongs with franchises over $500,000.
What should you verify in the Ruby's Diner FDD?
Verify six parts of the Ruby's Diner 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 Ruby's Diner 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 Ruby's Diner?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Ruby's Diner:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Moe's Southwest Grill | $30,500 | $745,325 to $1,819,050 |
| Beerhead Bar & Eatery | $35,000 to $45,000 | $746,000 to $1,561,000 |
| Paris Baguette | $50,000 | $727,440 to $1,825,100 |
| Perkins Restaurant & Bakery | $15,000 to $40,000 | $726,715 to $3,454,465 |
| Fuelify | $30,000 | $726,230 to $1,183,656 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Ruby's Diner franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Ruby's Diner franchise ranges from $737,500 to $1,922,000, including a franchise fee of $35,000 to $45,000, 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 Ruby's Diner franchise?
Ruby's Diner lists a minimum of about $205,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Ruby's Diner locations are there?
A current US unit count for Ruby's Diner is not reported in our data. Item 20 of the FDD lists the number of franchised and company-owned outlets.
How long has Ruby's Diner been franchising?
Ruby's Diner started offering franchises in 1982 after the company was founded in 1982.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Ruby's Diner and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ruby's Diner. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.