Dave & Buster's vs Wingstop Franchise Cost 2026
Dave & Buster's runs $5.7M–$15.6M. Wingstop runs $389K–$902K. The gap at midpoint: $10.0M.
Dave & Buster's
$5.7M–$15.6M
total investment
Investment Difference
$10.0M
Wingstop costs less
Wingstop
$389K–$902K
total investment
Cost Breakdown
| Category | Dave & Buster's | Wingstop | Lower Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Investment | $5.7M–$15.6M | $389K–$902K | Wingstop |
| Franchise Fee | $50,000 | $20,000 | Wingstop |
| Royalty Rate | 5.0% | 6.0% | Dave & Buster's |
| Ad Fund Fee | 1.0% | 4.0% | Dave & Buster's |
| Net Worth Required | $5.0M | $1.2M | Wingstop |
| Liquid Capital | $2.5M | $600K | Wingstop |
| Est. Break-Even | 20.9 yr | 20.2 yr | Wingstop |
Dave & Buster's Profile
- Category
- food
- Total Investment
- $5.7M–$15.6M
- Franchise Fee
- $50,000
- Royalty
- 5.0%
- Est. Annual Revenue
- $8.5M
Wingstop Profile
- Category
- food
- Total Investment
- $389K–$902K
- Franchise Fee
- $20,000
- Royalty
- 6.0%
- Est. Annual Revenue
- $1.6M
Bottom Line
Wingstop costs $10.0M less to open at the midpoint. That difference goes toward working capital or a second location. Dave & Buster's also wins on royalty rate.