Dave & Buster's vs Dunkin' Franchise Cost 2026
Dave & Buster's runs $5.7M–$15.6M. Dunkin' runs $526K–$1.8M. The gap at midpoint: $9.5M.
Dave & Buster's
$5.7M–$15.6M
total investment
Investment Difference
$9.5M
Dunkin' costs less
Dunkin'
$526K–$1.8M
total investment
Cost Breakdown
| Category | Dave & Buster's | Dunkin' | Lower Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Investment | $5.7M–$15.6M | $526K–$1.8M | Dunkin' |
| Franchise Fee | $50,000 | $40,000 | Dunkin' |
| Royalty Rate | 5.0% | 5.9% | Dave & Buster's |
| Ad Fund Fee | 1.0% | 5.0% | Dave & Buster's |
| Net Worth Required | $5.0M | $500K | Dunkin' |
| Liquid Capital | $2.5M | $250K | Dunkin' |
| Est. Break-Even | 20.9 yr | 96.5 yr | Dave & Buster's |
Dave & Buster's Profile
- Category
- food
- Total Investment
- $5.7M–$15.6M
- Franchise Fee
- $50,000
- Royalty
- 5.0%
- Est. Annual Revenue
- $8.5M
Dunkin' Profile
- Category
- food
- Total Investment
- $526K–$1.8M
- Franchise Fee
- $40,000
- Royalty
- 5.9%
- Est. Annual Revenue
- $1.1M
Bottom Line
Dunkin' costs $9.5M less to open at the midpoint. That difference goes toward working capital or a second location. Dave & Buster's also wins on royalty rate.