Buffalo Wild Wings vs Taco Bell Franchise Cost 2026
Buffalo Wild Wings runs $1.6M–$3.9M. Taco Bell runs $575K–$3.4M. The gap at midpoint: $804K.
Buffalo Wild Wings
$1.6M–$3.9M
total investment
Investment Difference
$804K
Taco Bell costs less
Taco Bell
$575K–$3.4M
total investment
Cost Breakdown
| Category | Buffalo Wild Wings | Taco Bell | Lower Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Investment | $1.6M–$3.9M | $575K–$3.4M | Taco Bell |
| Franchise Fee | $50,000 | $45,000 | Taco Bell |
| Royalty Rate | 5.0% | 5.5% | Buffalo Wild Wings |
| Ad Fund Fee | 3.5% | 4.25% | Buffalo Wild Wings |
| Net Worth Required | $1.5M | $1.5M | Buffalo Wild Wings |
| Liquid Capital | $750K | $750K | Buffalo Wild Wings |
| Est. Break-Even | 22.7 yr | 46.1 yr | Buffalo Wild Wings |
Buffalo Wild Wings Profile
- Category
- food
- Total Investment
- $1.6M–$3.9M
- Franchise Fee
- $50,000
- Royalty
- 5.0%
- Est. Annual Revenue
- $3.5M
Taco Bell Profile
- Category
- food
- Total Investment
- $575K–$3.4M
- Franchise Fee
- $45,000
- Royalty
- 5.5%
- Est. Annual Revenue
- $1.9M
Bottom Line
Taco Bell costs $804K less to open at the midpoint. That difference goes toward working capital or a second location. Buffalo Wild Wings also wins on royalty rate.