Smoothie King franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Smoothie King franchise fee is $25,000 to $30,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $661,150 to $1,277,650, with about $165,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Smoothie King FDD.
What are the Smoothie King franchise fees and investment?
The Smoothie King franchise requires a franchise fee of $25,000 to $30,000 and a total initial investment of $661,150 to $1,277,650. 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) | $25,000 to $30,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $661,150 to $1,277,650 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $165,000 |
| US locations | 1,201 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Smoothie) |
| Headquarters | Coppell, Texas |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Franchising since | 1988 |
How does the Smoothie King investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Smoothie King's minimum investment of $661,150 is above the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 230 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $25,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Smoothie King belongs with franchises over $500,000.
What should you verify in the Smoothie King FDD?
Verify six parts of the Smoothie King 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 Smoothie King 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 Smoothie King?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Smoothie King:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Bb.q Chicken | $45,000 | $661,000 to $1,289,000 |
| H&H Bagels | $40,000 | $660,110 to $1,020,860 |
| Pizza Cat | $25,000 to $50,000 | $657,000 to $1,688,500 |
| Growler USA Microbrew Pub | $35,000 | $656,263 to $837,772 |
| Blaze Pizza | $30,000 | $666,900 to $1,143,000 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Smoothie King franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Smoothie King franchise ranges from $661,150 to $1,277,650, including a franchise fee of $25,000 to $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 Smoothie King franchise?
Smoothie King lists a minimum of about $165,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Smoothie King locations are there?
Smoothie King reported 1,201 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 Smoothie King been franchising?
Smoothie King started offering franchises in 1988 after the company was founded in 1973.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Smoothie King and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Smoothie King. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.