Dairy Queen vs Dave & Buster's Franchise Cost 2026
Dairy Queen runs $1.1M–$1.9M. Dave & Buster's runs $5.7M–$15.6M. The gap at midpoint: $9.2M.
Dairy Queen
$1.1M–$1.9M
total investment
Investment Difference
$9.2M
Dairy Queen costs less
Dave & Buster's
$5.7M–$15.6M
total investment
Cost Breakdown
| Category | Dairy Queen | Dave & Buster's | Lower Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Investment | $1.1M–$1.9M | $5.7M–$15.6M | Dairy Queen |
| Franchise Fee | $35,000 | $50,000 | Dairy Queen |
| Royalty Rate | 4.0% | 5.0% | Dairy Queen |
| Ad Fund Fee | 6.0% | 1.0% | Dave & Buster's |
| Net Worth Required | $750K | $5.0M | Dairy Queen |
| Liquid Capital | $400K | $2.5M | Dairy Queen |
| Est. Break-Even | 77.3 yr | 20.9 yr | Dave & Buster's |
Dairy Queen Profile
- Category
- food
- Total Investment
- $1.1M–$1.9M
- Franchise Fee
- $35,000
- Royalty
- 4.0%
- Est. Annual Revenue
- $970K
Dave & Buster's Profile
- Category
- food
- Total Investment
- $5.7M–$15.6M
- Franchise Fee
- $50,000
- Royalty
- 5.0%
- Est. Annual Revenue
- $8.5M
Bottom Line
Dairy Queen costs $9.2M less to open at the midpoint. That difference goes toward working capital or a second location. Dairy Queen also wins on royalty rate.