Burger King vs Dairy Queen Franchise Cost 2026
Burger King runs $1.9M–$3.3M. Dairy Queen runs $1.1M–$1.9M. The gap at midpoint: $1.1M.
Burger King
$1.9M–$3.3M
total investment
Investment Difference
$1.1M
Dairy Queen costs less
Dairy Queen
$1.1M–$1.9M
total investment
Cost Breakdown
| Category | Burger King | Dairy Queen | Lower Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Investment | $1.9M–$3.3M | $1.1M–$1.9M | Dairy Queen |
| Franchise Fee | $50,000 | $35,000 | Dairy Queen |
| Royalty Rate | 4.5% | 4.0% | Dairy Queen |
| Ad Fund Fee | 4.0% | 6.0% | Burger King |
| Net Worth Required | $1.5M | $750K | Dairy Queen |
| Liquid Capital | $500K | $400K | Dairy Queen |
| Est. Break-Even | 52.4 yr | 77.3 yr | Burger King |
Burger King Profile
- Category
- food
- Total Investment
- $1.9M–$3.3M
- Franchise Fee
- $50,000
- Royalty
- 4.5%
- Est. Annual Revenue
- $1.4M
Dairy Queen Profile
- Category
- food
- Total Investment
- $1.1M–$1.9M
- Franchise Fee
- $35,000
- Royalty
- 4.0%
- Est. Annual Revenue
- $970K
Bottom Line
Dairy Queen costs $1.1M less to open at the midpoint. That difference goes toward working capital or a second location. Dairy Queen also wins on royalty rate.