FranchiseBudget

Cookout vs Dunkin' Franchise Cost 2026

Cookout runs $500K–$1.2M. Dunkin' runs $526K–$1.8M. The gap at midpoint: $318K.

Cookout

$500K–$1.2M

total investment

Investment Difference

$318K

Cookout costs less

Dunkin'

$526K–$1.8M

total investment

Cost Breakdown

Category Cookout Dunkin' Lower Cost
Total Investment $500K–$1.2M $526K–$1.8M Cookout
Franchise Fee $0 $40,000 Cookout
Royalty Rate 0.0% 5.9% Cookout
Ad Fund Fee 0.0% 5.0% Cookout
Net Worth Required $500K $500K Cookout
Liquid Capital $250K $250K Cookout
Est. Break-Even 2.8 yr 96.5 yr Cookout

Cookout Profile

Category
food
Total Investment
$500K–$1.2M
Franchise Fee
$0
Royalty
0.0%
Est. Annual Revenue
$2.5M
Full Cookout Cost Breakdown →

Dunkin' Profile

Category
food
Total Investment
$526K–$1.8M
Franchise Fee
$40,000
Royalty
5.9%
Est. Annual Revenue
$1.1M
Full Dunkin' Cost Breakdown →

Bottom Line

Cookout costs $318K less to open at the midpoint. That difference goes toward working capital or a second location. Cookout also wins on royalty rate.