Winchell's Donut House franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Winchell's Donut House franchise fee is $0 and the total initial investment ranges from $3,400 to $71,700, with about $5,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Winchell's Donut House FDD.
What are the Winchell's Donut House franchise fees and investment?
The Winchell's Donut House franchise requires a franchise fee of $0 and a total initial investment of $3,400 to $71,700. 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) | $0 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $3,400 to $71,700 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $5,000 |
| US locations | 31 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant |
| Headquarters | City Of Industry, California |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Franchising since | 2004 |
How does the Winchell's Donut House investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Winchell's Donut House's minimum investment of $3,400 is at or below the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 1210 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $0 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Winchell's Donut House belongs with franchises under $50,000.
What should you verify in the Winchell's Donut House FDD?
Verify six parts of the Winchell's Donut House 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 Winchell's Donut House 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 Winchell's Donut House?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Winchell's Donut House:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Bento Sushi | $2,000 to $100,000 | $2,600 to $171,800 |
| Champs Chicken | $0 | $9,000 to $349,000 |
| Chick Fil A (Franchise Program) | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Stickhouse | $2,500 to $40,000 | $12,100 to $694,900 |
| Candy Bouquet | $7,000 to $35,000 | $12,470 to $517,800 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Winchell's Donut House franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Winchell's Donut House franchise ranges from $3,400 to $71,700, including a franchise fee of $0, 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 Winchell's Donut House franchise?
Winchell's Donut House lists a minimum of about $5,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Winchell's Donut House locations are there?
Winchell's Donut House reported 31 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 Winchell's Donut House been franchising?
Winchell's Donut House started offering franchises in 2004 after the company was founded in 2004.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Winchell's Donut House and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Winchell's Donut House. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.