Tabu Shabu franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Tabu Shabu franchise fee is $35,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $281,300 to $726,100, with about $80,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Tabu Shabu FDD.
What are the Tabu Shabu franchise fees and investment?
The Tabu Shabu franchise requires a franchise fee of $35,000 and a total initial investment of $281,300 to $726,100. 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 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $281,300 to $726,100 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $80,000 |
| US locations | 7 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Full-Service) |
| Headquarters | Costa Mesa, California |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Franchising since | 2017 |
How does the Tabu Shabu investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Tabu Shabu's minimum investment of $281,300 is at or below the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 641 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, Tabu Shabu belongs with franchises from $250,000 to $500,000.
What should you verify in the Tabu Shabu FDD?
Verify six parts of the Tabu Shabu 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 Tabu Shabu 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 Tabu Shabu?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Tabu Shabu:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Bricks | $38,500 | $281,000 to $757,750 |
| Doner And Gyros | $35,000 | $280,919 to $587,089 |
| Chip Cookies | $40,000 | $281,950 to $699,000 |
| The Yard Milkshake Bar | $30,000 to $45,000 | $281,975 to $627,250 |
| Fat Patty's | $28,000 to $40,000 | $282,300 to $424,000 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Tabu Shabu franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Tabu Shabu franchise ranges from $281,300 to $726,100, including a franchise fee of $35,000, 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 Tabu Shabu franchise?
Tabu Shabu lists a minimum of about $80,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Tabu Shabu locations are there?
Tabu Shabu reported 7 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 Tabu Shabu been franchising?
Tabu Shabu started offering franchises in 2017 after the company was founded in 2016.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Tabu Shabu and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Tabu Shabu. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.