Strings Italian Cafe franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Strings Italian Cafe franchise fee is $37,500 and the total initial investment ranges from $433,500 to $516,500, with about $90,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Strings Italian Cafe FDD.
What are the Strings Italian Cafe franchise fees and investment?
The Strings Italian Cafe franchise requires a franchise fee of $37,500 and a total initial investment of $433,500 to $516,500. 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) | $37,500 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $433,500 to $516,500 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $90,000 |
| US locations | 13 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Italian Fast Food) |
| Headquarters | Gold River, California |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Franchising since | 1989 |
How does the Strings Italian Cafe investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Strings Italian Cafe's minimum investment of $433,500 is above the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 408 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $37,500 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Strings Italian Cafe belongs with franchises from $250,000 to $500,000.
What should you verify in the Strings Italian Cafe FDD?
Verify six parts of the Strings Italian Cafe 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 Strings Italian Cafe 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 Strings Italian Cafe?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Strings Italian Cafe:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Hungry Howie's Pizza & Subs | $12,500 to $25,000 | $431,873 to $629,908 |
| Gravity | $54,900 | $431,675 to $1,672,095 |
| Eat Fit Go | $70,000 | $435,600 to $626,500 |
| Villa Pizza | $25,000 to $35,000 | $435,900 to $1,016,000 |
| Yogis Grill | $30,000 | $436,800 to $903,600 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Strings Italian Cafe franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Strings Italian Cafe franchise ranges from $433,500 to $516,500, including a franchise fee of $37,500, 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 Strings Italian Cafe franchise?
Strings Italian Cafe lists a minimum of about $90,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Strings Italian Cafe locations are there?
Strings Italian Cafe reported 13 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 Strings Italian Cafe been franchising?
Strings Italian Cafe started offering franchises in 1989 after the company was founded in 1989.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Strings Italian Cafe and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Strings Italian Cafe. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.