- Franchise 500 Rank
-
N/R Not ranked last year
- Initial investment
-
$509K - $2M
- Units as of 2024
-
185 1.1% over 3 years
Fatburger is a privately owned and operated chain of hamburger restaurants. The company is committed to serving fresh and delicious beef burgers grilled to order, alongside chicken sandwiches, turkey burgers, veggie burgers, Impossible Burgers, chili dogs, fries, onion rings, and milkshakes. Even before founding this company—originally called Mr. Fatburger—Lovie Yancey was well known for crafting hamburgers. She started the company out of a dream to create thick and juicy hamburgers that would be recognized as the best in the world.
The company has now been in operation for over 60 years, but still holds a reputation for serving delicious hamburgers with excellent customer service. The brand has expanded to almost 100 franchise locations in the U.S., and has a strong international presence as well. Fatburger has grown to become a recognized brand in the fast food industry.
Why Might You Want to Start a Fatburger Franchise?
The reputation of this restaurant chain is heavily dependent on word of mouth for marketing. The company strives to leave its customers full and happy in order to grow a cult-like following. As a Fatburger franchisee, you may also have the opportunity to co-brand with the company’s sister brand, Buffalo's Café, which serves chicken wings.
Another significant upside to owning a Fatburger franchise is that there are several venue designs to choose from. You can purchase a co-branded joint, a food court kiosk, a drive-thru restaurant with a seating capacity of 50 people, or a dine-in restaurant that can hold up to 150 customers. Franchisees have the freedom to choose whether to offer bar service and/or delivery.
What Might Make a Fatburger Franchise a Good Choice?
Like other franchises for sale, profitability will depend on the quality of operational standards, location, management, competition level, and owner involvement. The demand for hamburgers is consistent, with over 50 billion hamburgers consumed in America every year.
To become a franchisee, you will need to meet the Fatburger franchise net worth and liquidity requirements and pay a franchise fee. Additional fees may apply, such as royalty and advertising fees, usually paid as a percentage of gross sales.
Franchisees benefit from an extensive training program and strong support from the Fatburger franchise. This support plays a huge role in possible franchise success. Support may be given in the brand's supply chain of goods, building construction, and hiring teams, to name a few.
How Do You Start a Fatburger Franchise?
The company may offer a speedy startup process dependent upon the site selection process and training. Fatburger company representatives may be available to assist in your grand opening as well.
An ideal franchisee is someone who is upbeat, business savvy, and loves a big juicy hamburger. As you make your decision to purchase a Fatburger franchise, make sure you take time to explore the opportunity. Research the brand and your local area to see if a franchise would do well in your community. While competition is healthy, too much of it will not allow for a large amount of growth.
Company Overview
About Fatburger
Business Overview
| Franchising Since | 1990 (34 years) |
|---|---|
| # of employees at HQ | 335 |
| Where seeking |
This company is offering new franchises throughout the US. This company is offering new franchises worldwide. |
| # of Units | 185 (as of 2024) |
|
|
|
Information for Franchisees
Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a Fatburger franchise.
Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees
Here's what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.
|
Initial Franchise Fee
|
$50,000 |
|---|---|
|
Initial Investment
|
$509,300 - $1,996,900 |
|
Net Worth Requirement
|
$1,500,000 |
|
Cash Requirement
|
$500,000 |
|
Royalty Fee
|
6% |
|
Ad Royalty Fee
|
4% |
|
Term of Agreement
|
15 years |
| Is franchise term renewable? | Yes |
Financing Options
Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.
| Third Party Financing | Fatburger has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, payroll |
|---|
Training & Support Offered
Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.
| On-The-Job Training | 256 hours |
|---|---|
| Classroom Training | 44 hours |
| Ongoing Support |
Purchasing Co-ops
Meetings & Conventions
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security & Safety Procedures
Field Operations
Site Selection
Proprietary Software
Franchisee Intranet Platform
|
| Marketing Support |
Ad Templates
National Media
Regional Advertising
Social Media
Website Development
Email Marketing
|
Operations
Additional details about running this franchise.
| Is absentee ownership allowed? | No |
|---|---|
|
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit?
|
No |
|
Can this franchise be run part time?
|
No |
| # of employees required to run | 15-25 |
|
Are exclusive territories available?
|
Yes |
Franchise 500 Ranking History
Compare where Fatburger landed on this year's Franchise 500 Ranking versus previous years.
Additional Rankings
Curious to know where Fatburger ranked on other franchise lists? Find out below.
Sign Up for Our Franchise Newsletter
Stay up to date on the latest news and trends affecting the franchise industry.
Related Franchises
Are you eager to see what else is out there? Browse franchises that are similar to Fatburger.
Related Franchise Content
Catch up on the latest franchise news, trends, and more.
'A Lot More Innovation in Store' — Taco Bell's CMO Says 2025 Will Bring Another Live Más Live and a Return to the Super Bowl. Here's the Details.
After a 2024 full of highlights, Taco Bell is gearing up to make 2025 a standout year.
The Top 10 Coffee Franchises in 2024
From a classic cup of joe to a creamy latte, grab your favorite mug and get ready to brew up success with the best coffee franchises.
From Boxing to Pilates to Personal Training — Explore the Top 15 Fitness Franchises of 2024
Flex your franchise muscle and discover today's powerhouse fitness franchises, where sweat meets success in every rep.
Doner Shack is an Award Winning Franchise in the Multi Billion Dollar Kebab Market!
Doner Shack offers the most advanced kebab operating system in the world. Comparable to the revolutionary conveyor oven in the pizza industry, our robotic kebab machines offer game-changing innovation
Private Equity Giant Blackstone Acquires Jersey Mike's Subs for $8 Billion
This move solidifies Blackstone's ongoing interest in high-growth, fast-casual franchises and marks a pivotal moment for the beloved sub chain.
5 Founders Who Transformed Franchising — And the Powerful Lessons Behind Their Success
Each of these franchise founders faced setbacks that could have ended their dreams. But they pushed through, creating brands that today feel like a part of our daily lives.
