Rusty Taco franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Rusty Taco franchise fee is $30,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $528,400 to $1,127,950, with about $135,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Rusty Taco FDD.
What are the Rusty Taco franchise fees and investment?
The Rusty Taco franchise requires a franchise fee of $30,000 and a total initial investment of $528,400 to $1,127,950. 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) | $528,400 to $1,127,950 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $135,000 |
| US locations | 37 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Taco Chains) |
| Headquarters | Plano, Texas |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Franchising since | 2015 |
How does the Rusty Taco investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Rusty Taco's minimum investment of $528,400 is above the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 299 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, Rusty Taco belongs with franchises over $500,000.
What should you verify in the Rusty Taco FDD?
Verify six parts of the Rusty Taco 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 Rusty Taco 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 Rusty Taco?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Rusty Taco:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| The Pizza Press | $35,000 | $528,350 to $798,500 |
| Bahama Buck's | $34,500 | $528,050 to $1,223,050 |
| Aroma Espresso Bar | $55,000 | $527,500 to $1,495,000 |
| Dunkin' | $40,000 to $90,000 | $526,900 to $1,832,500 |
| The Great Greek | $35,550 to $39,500 | $526,670 to $1,188,420 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Rusty Taco franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Rusty Taco franchise ranges from $528,400 to $1,127,950, 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 Rusty Taco franchise?
Rusty Taco lists a minimum of about $135,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Rusty Taco locations are there?
Rusty Taco reported 37 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 Rusty Taco been franchising?
Rusty Taco started offering franchises in 2015 after the company was founded in 2010.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Rusty Taco and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Rusty Taco. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.