Dave & Buster's vs IHOP Franchise Cost 2026
Dave & Buster's runs $5.7M–$15.6M. IHOP runs $1.7M–$4.0M. The gap at midpoint: $7.8M.
Dave & Buster's
$5.7M–$15.6M
total investment
Investment Difference
$7.8M
IHOP costs less
IHOP
$1.7M–$4.0M
total investment
Cost Breakdown
| Category | Dave & Buster's | IHOP | Lower Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Investment | $5.7M–$15.6M | $1.7M–$4.0M | IHOP |
| Franchise Fee | $50,000 | $40,000 | IHOP |
| Royalty Rate | 5.0% | 4.5% | IHOP |
| Ad Fund Fee | 1.0% | 3.5% | Dave & Buster's |
| Net Worth Required | $5.0M | $1.0M | IHOP |
| Liquid Capital | $2.5M | $500K | IHOP |
| Est. Break-Even | 20.9 yr | 33.9 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
IHOP Profile
- Category
- food
- Total Investment
- $1.7M–$4.0M
- Franchise Fee
- $40,000
- Royalty
- 4.5%
- Est. Annual Revenue
- $2.1M
Bottom Line
IHOP costs $7.8M less to open at the midpoint. That difference goes toward working capital or a second location. IHOP also wins on royalty rate.