The Counter franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The The Counter franchise fee is $16,000 to $35,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $712,133 to $1,983,750, with about $205,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the The Counter FDD.
What are the The Counter franchise fees and investment?
The The Counter franchise requires a franchise fee of $16,000 to $35,000 and a total initial investment of $712,133 to $1,983,750. 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) | $16,000 to $35,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $712,133 to $1,983,750 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $205,000 |
| US locations | 11 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Fast Casual) |
| Headquarters | Scottsdale, Arizona |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Franchising since | 2005 |
How does the The Counter investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
The Counter's minimum investment of $712,133 is above the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 205 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $16,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, The Counter belongs with franchises over $500,000.
What should you verify in the The Counter FDD?
Verify six parts of the The Counter 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 Counter 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 Counter?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to The Counter:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Bornga | $100,000 | $710,000 to $1,165,000 |
| Tous Les Jours | $40,000 | $718,230 to $1,599,644 |
| Sugarfire Smoke House | $50,000 | $719,500 to $1,184,000 |
| BurgerFi | $35,000 | $704,750 to $1,171,500 |
| Biscuit Belly | $40,000 | $702,000 to $1,187,000 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a The Counter franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a The Counter franchise ranges from $712,133 to $1,983,750, including a franchise fee of $16,000 to $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 The Counter franchise?
The Counter lists a minimum of about $205,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many The Counter locations are there?
The Counter reported 11 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 Counter been franchising?
The Counter started offering franchises in 2005 after the company was founded in 2001.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. The Counter and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Counter. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.