How much does it cost to open a Dunkin'?

Total investment for a Dunkin' location typically ranges from approximately $526,900 to $1,808,200, with a franchise fee of approximately $40,000. Always confirm against the most current FDD.

How much does Dunkin' charge in ongoing fees?

Royalties run approximately 5.9% of gross sales, plus an advertising fund contribution of about 5.0%. Confirm in Item 6 of the FDD.

How long does it take to open a Dunkin'?

From signed agreement to opening typically takes 9–18 months depending on site selection, permitting, construction, and training.

What net worth and liquid capital does Dunkin' require?

Dunkin' typically requires approximately $250,000 in liquid capital and a minimum net worth of approximately $500,000. Requirements may vary by territory.

Dunkin' Franchise Cost, Fees & FDD (2026)

Q: Does Dunkin' disclose financial performance (Item 19)?

Yes — Dunkin' discloses average sales per restaurant in Item 19; varies by region and format.

At a Glance

Total Investment$526,900 – $1,808,200

Franchise Fee$40,000

Royalty5.9%

Ad Fund5%

Liquid Capital$250,000

Net Worth$500,000

Total Units13200

Franchised Units13150

Company-Owned0

Term20 years

About Dunkin'

About the Dunkin' franchise

Dunkin' — America Runs on Dunkin' — coffee & baked goods QSR — has built its franchise system in the food service category since 1950, headquartered in Canton, MA. Coffee-led QSR with strong morning daypart and drive-thru focus.

Dunkin' (now part of Inspire Brands) is one of the largest coffee-and-baked-goods QSR systems in the United States.

As of recent disclosures, Dunkin' operates approximately 13,200 units worldwide. Initial investment for a single location typically falls between $526,900 and $1,808,200, with a franchise fee of approximately $40,000.

Unit economics and ongoing fees

Ongoing royalties run approximately 5.9% of gross sales, plus a brand fund / national advertising contribution of about 5.0%. Model these as recurring overhead — they apply to top-line revenue, not profit. Confirm the exact fee schedule and any local/regional marketing co-op requirements in Items 5, 6, and 11 of the current FDD.

Why prospective franchisees consider Dunkin'

Operators considering Dunkin' typically weigh the following advantages:

Globally recognized brand and loyalty program
Strong morning daypart and drive-thru economics
Multiple format options (end-cap, drive-thru, gas/c-store)
Mature supply chain

Where Dunkin' has real trade-offs

Honest diligence also requires looking at where the system has friction:

Multi-unit development typically required
High investment for full drive-thru build
Coffee/commodity cost exposure
Aggressive competition from Starbucks and McDonald's

How to evaluate the Dunkin' opportunity

Before signing any franchise agreement, request the current Dunkin' FDD, talk to at least 8–10 existing franchisees (both new and mature), and build a unit-level model that stress-tests labor, occupancy, royalties, and ramp. Pay particular attention to Item 19 (financial performance representations) if disclosed, Item 7 (estimated initial investment), and Item 20 (system size and turnover) trends over the past three years. Validation calls with existing operators are the single highest-leverage step in the process.

Figures above are seed estimates compiled from public sources and may not reflect the most recent FDD. Always verify against the current Franchise Disclosure Document before relying on any number commercially.