The Buffalo Spot franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The The Buffalo Spot franchise fee is $45,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $255,700 to $615,500, with about $70,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the The Buffalo Spot FDD.
What are the The Buffalo Spot franchise fees and investment?
The The Buffalo Spot franchise requires a franchise fee of $45,000 and a total initial investment of $255,700 to $615,500. 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) | $45,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $255,700 to $615,500 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $70,000 |
| US locations | 37 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Fast Casual) |
| Headquarters | Garden Grove, California |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Franchising since | 2014 |
How does the The Buffalo Spot investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
The Buffalo Spot's minimum investment of $255,700 is at or below the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 696 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $45,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, The Buffalo Spot belongs with franchises from $250,000 to $500,000.
What should you verify in the The Buffalo Spot FDD?
Verify six parts of the The Buffalo Spot 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 The Buffalo Spot 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 The Buffalo Spot?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to The Buffalo Spot:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Paulie Gee's | $15,000 | $255,500 to $735,000 |
| Playa Bowls | $35,000 | $255,944 to $1,037,794 |
| Wayback Burgers | $35,000 | $256,000 to $850,000 |
| World Famous Meats | $25,000 | $255,000 to $307,600 |
| Firenza | $40,000 | $256,450 to $546,000 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a The Buffalo Spot franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a The Buffalo Spot franchise ranges from $255,700 to $615,500, including a franchise fee of $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 The Buffalo Spot franchise?
The Buffalo Spot lists a minimum of about $70,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many The Buffalo Spot locations are there?
The Buffalo Spot 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 The Buffalo Spot been franchising?
The Buffalo Spot started offering franchises in 2014 after the company was founded in 2014.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. The Buffalo Spot and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Buffalo Spot. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.