BF

    Baja Fresh

    Franchise research report · reviewed 2026 disclosure data

    Researching Baja Fresh franchise opportunities? Every figure below is cited to the FDD.

    Reviewed sources

    Baja Fresh serves Mexican-style food including burritos, tacos, salads and salsas. Restaurants offer pickup and delivery where available, along with catering for groups and events.

    Headline figures

    Quick facts

    How much does it cost to open a Baja Fresh franchise?
    The Baja Fresh Franchise Disclosure Document reports an estimated initial investment of $428,560 for its multi-unit format (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 43). This is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
    What ongoing fees does Baja Fresh charge?
    The disclosed ongoing royalty is $10 (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 39). The brand or advertising fund contribution is $4 (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 36). Other recurring fees are listed in Item 6. Details
    Does Baja Fresh disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
    Yes. The Baja Fresh FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation (2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 83). Figures apply only to the locations and period each one covers. Details
    How many Baja Fresh locations are there?
    The FDD reports 136 outlets at the end of 2025 (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 84). Existing locations do not indicate territory availability. Details

    From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.

    What the disclosures show

    1. 1Opening costs are estimated at $428,560 (Grand Total — traditional — $428560) in the 2026 FDD (Item 7); several initial fee options apply.
    2. 2Item 19 covers 3 separate groups: other measures for 65 Franchised locations; other measures for 13 Franchised locations; other measures for 13 Franchised locations. They are not combined.
    3. 3Outlets declined by 10 in 2025, to 136 (United States, as labeled in the FDD, Item 20).

    From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.

    Costs · Items 5–7

    What does it cost to open?

    Estimated opening costs and the fees payable to the franchisor.

    Startup Investment — Item 7

    Total estimated initial investment

    2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 43

    Formats disclosed in Item 7 (2)

    Each format has its own total. The total depends on the format you choose; multi-unit packages are listed but not included in the headline range.

    • Grand Total — nontraditional — $224950Multi-unitPDF p. 45$224,950
    • Grand Total — traditional — $428560Multi-unitPDF p. 43$428,560

    Ongoing Fees — Item 6

    Selected recurring charges; payment bases and conditions remain attached to each fee.

    Royalty surcharge: up to $10 per weekMain ongoing fee

    64 reported fees, each with its payment basis, are listed below; they haven't been sorted into recurring, initial and occasional groups yet.

    Financial Performance — Item 19

    What results are disclosed—and for which locations?

    3 separate populations, shown apart. Revenue is not owner income.

    Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record

    Other measures · 65 locations

    Who is counted
    All existing franchised US outlets
    Period
    Median gross sales
    Excluded
    67openNov30;65existingoutlets notfirstopenedthisfiscalyear and nottemporarilyclosedatstart/end included; top/bottom20 separate.
    Method
    Unaudited weekly franchise sales reports; grosssales goods/services lesssalestax,discounts,allowances,returns.

    Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record

    Other measures · 13 locations

    Who is counted
    Top20% existing franchised US outlets
    Period
    Average Gross Sales: $1,283,451
    Excluded
    67openNov30;65existingoutlets notfirstopenedthisfiscalyear and nottemporarilyclosedatstart/end included; top/bottom20 separate.
    Method
    Unaudited weekly franchise sales reports; grosssales goods/services lesssalestax,discounts,allowances,returns.

    Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record

    Other measures · 13 locations

    Who is counted
    Bottom20% existing franchised US outlets
    Period
    Median gross sales
    Excluded
    67openNov30;65existingoutlets notfirstopenedthisfiscalyear and nottemporarilyclosedatstart/end included; top/bottom20 separate.
    Method
    Unaudited weekly franchise sales reports; grosssales goods/services lesssalestax,discounts,allowances,returns.

    These groups are never combined.

    Outlet Changes — Item 20

    How has the outlet count changed?

    United States, as labeled in the FDD · counts as of 2025 of each year.

    2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 84

    Net −20 outlets, 2023–2025

    0156202314620241362025−10−10

    Year-end counts reported in Item 20. The scale starts at zero; the labels between the dots show each year's change. Openings and closures for 2025 haven't been pulled from the Item 20 tables yet, so no turnover or churn is shown.

    Questions to investigate

    Prompts based on what this brand's reviewed disclosures do and don't show — not conclusions. Join free as a member to save questions to your research.

    For the franchisor

    • Which line items in the 2026 Item 7 estimate ($428,560) vary most by market, and why?

    • Which initial fee option would apply to my situation, and what conditions or discounts affect it?

    • Which locations are included in the Item 19 figures, and which were excluded?

    • Reported units decreased from 146 to 136 in 2025. What drove the change?

    • Is a territory available in my area, and how is it defined in my agreement?

    For current and former owners

    • How did your actual startup costs and timeline compare with the Item 7 estimate?

    • How many hours a week do you work in the business, and in what role?

    • How do your results compare with the Item 19 figures, and what explains the difference?

    • What support from the franchisor has been most and least useful?

    For your advisors

    • Ask a franchise attorney to review the territory, renewal, transfer and termination terms.

    • Ask an accountant to build a cash-flow plan using your own assumptions, not the franchisor's.

    Sources & vintage history

    Every displayed fact is retained with its disclosure vintage, item, page, and reviewed status. Prior vintages remain on file rather than being overwritten.

    Citations (2026 FDD)

    1. [1]Estimated initial investment — Item 7 · PDF p. 43
    2. [2]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — All existing franchised US outlets · PDF p. 83
    3. [3]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Top20% existing franchised US outlets · PDF p. 83
    4. [4]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Bottom20% existing franchised US outlets · PDF p. 83
    5. [5]Outlet counts — Item 20, Table 1 · PDF p. 84

    "PDF p." is the page in the PDF file; "printed p." is the number printed on the FDD page. Source document: FDD

    Territory & operations

    86 addresses in Franopolis's imported location list. Coverage may differ from Item 20 outlet counts.

    These are contract disclosures, not confirmation that any territory is currently available.

    Franchisor financial statements

    Fiscal yearMeasureReported value
    2025assets held for sale$830
    2025cash$21,840
    2025restricted cash$104
    2025accounts receivable$28,436
    2025receivables from ultimate parent and parent company$233,800
    2025prepaid expenses and deposits$7,790
    2025other current assets$4,704
    2025loans receivable$34
    2025other assets$2,565
    2025operating lease right-of-use assets$181,327
    2025goodwill$346,490
    2025accrued liabilities$30,080
    2025promotional funds payable$8,152
    2025current portion of operating lease liabilities$36,983
    2025advances from parent company$2,540
    2025short-term loan from parent$13,793
    2025liabilities held for sale$441
    2025operating lease liabilities$149,724
    2025deferred income taxes$96,036
    2025total liabilities$1,176,013
    2025retained earnings$91,903
    2025total stockholder’s equity$271,057
    2025amortization$17,523
    2025interest expense$54,884
    2025loss on disposal$699
    2025impairmentMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$130
    2025impairmentMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$1,261
    2025loss on lease derecognition/modification$387
    2025deferred income tax recovery-$5,021
    2025operating cash flow before interest and working capital$116,822
    2025change income taxes-$2,775
    2025change accounts payable-$8,753
    2025change promotional funds payable-$2,371
    2025change gift card liability-$16,286
    2025change deferred revenue and deposits$257
    2025net cash provided from operating activities$45,017
    2025revenue$604,239
    2025total costs and expenses$573,895
    2025income$37,380
    2025net incomeMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$30,677
    2025net cash used in investing activities-$5,755
    2025cash and restricted cash end of year$21,944
    2025income taxes receivable$6,356
    2025total assets$1,447,070
    2025long-term loan from parent and ultimate parent$701,795
    2025current portion of loans receivable$189
    2025accounts payable$6,939
    2025property, plant and equipment$42,751
    2025gift card liability$93,010
    2025deferred revenue and deposits$29,483
    2025common stock$179,154
    2025total liabilities and stockholder’s equity$1,447,070
    2025contract cost asset$4,643
    2025inventories$5,244
    2025intangible assets$559,967
    2025current portion of deferred revenue and deposits$7,037
    2025total current assets$309,293
    2025depreciation$12,469
    2025impairmentMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$3,813
    2025net incomeMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$30,677
    2025net cash used in financing activities-$30,402
    2025change other current assets$130
    2025change accrued liabilities$3,128
    2025change other$3,752
    2025net increase$8,860
    2025cash and restricted cash beginning of year$13,084
    2025total current liabilities$198,534
    2024assets held for sale$3,116
    2024cash$12,834
    2024restricted cash$250
    2024accounts receivable$28,755
    2024current portion of loans receivable$384
    2024prepaid expenses and deposits$8,039
    2024other current assets$4,834
    2024income taxes receivable$4,402
    2024loans receivable$66
    2024contract cost asset$4,277
    2024property, plant and equipment$53,675
    2024operating lease right-of-use assets$190,303
    2024intangible assets$577,327
    2024goodwill$346,490
    2024accounts payable$14,808
    2024accrued liabilities$26,837
    2024gift card liability$109,252
    2024current portion of operating lease liabilities$38,340
    2024current portion of deferred revenue and deposits$8,093
    2024advances from parent company$4,417
    2024total current assets$274,185
    2024total assets$1,448,429
    2024total current liabilities$212,270
    2024long-term loan from parent and ultimate parent$708,363
    2024liabilities held for sale$2,116
    2024operating lease liabilities$156,073
    2024deferred revenue and deposits$28,170
    2024common stock$179,154
    2024total liabilities and stockholder’s equity$1,448,429
    2024net incomeMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing-$12,556
    2024amortization$15,765
    2024loss on disposal$376
    2024loss on lease derecognition/modification$41
    2024operating cash flow before interest and working capital$106,119
    2024change other current assets-$1,502
    2024change accounts payable-$1,070
    2024change promotional funds payable-$4,166
    2024change deferred revenue and deposits$3,735
    2024net cash provided from operating activities$51,815
    2024total costs and expenses$619,854
    2024net incomeMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing-$12,556
    2024net cash used in financing activities-$51,395
    2024net increase-$8,325
    2024cash and restricted cash beginning of year$21,409
    2024cash and restricted cash end of year$13,084
    2024inventories$7,182
    2024other assets$2,106
    2024promotional funds payable$10,523
    2024depreciation$13,469
    2024interest expense$53,768
    2024receivables from ultimate parent and parent company$204,389
    2024deferred income taxes$101,057
    2024retained earnings$61,226
    2024total liabilities$1,208,049
    2024total stockholder’s equity$240,380
    2024impairmentMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$37,452
    2024impairmentMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$6,150
    2024impairmentMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$849
    2024deferred income tax recovery-$9,195
    2024change gift card liability$4,546
    2024change income taxes-$303
    2024revenue$597,538
    2024change accrued liabilities-$1,817
    2024income-$11,833
    2024net cash used in investing activities-$8,745
    2024change other$713

    These figures describe the franchisor company, not individual franchise locations.

    SBA-backed loans to franchisees

    Loading…

    Source: U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) & 504 FOIA data. Loan volume is not a measure of franchisee success.

    At a glance

    Business history

    Not reviewed

    Owner participation

    Not reviewed

    Territory language

    Litigation disclosure

    Not reviewed

    Bankruptcy disclosure

    Not reviewed

    Agreement term

    Not reviewed

    Reader notes on wording

    Our automated check found that these summaries may not match the FDD's exact wording. Read the FDD excerpt itself; it is the authoritative text. Core cost, fee, Item 19 and outlet figures are not affected.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 524 · 2026 FDD

      Our summary: Operating cash flow before interest and working capital — 2024

      “MTV Franchising USA, Inc. Consolidated statements of cash flows Years ended November 30, 2025 and 2024 (In thousands of US dollars) Operating activities Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) Items not affecting cash: Depreciation - property, plant and equipment Amortization - intangible assets Interest expense Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets Impairment charge - property, plant and equipment Impairment charge - operating lease right-of-use assets Impairment charge - intangible assets and goodwill Loss on de-recognition/lease modification of operating lease liabilities Deferred income tax recovery Interest paid Changes in non-cash working capital items Accounts receivable Inventories Prepaid expenses and deposits Loans receivable Other current assets Income taxes Accounts payable Accrued liabilities Promotional funds payable Gift card liability Deferred revenue and deposits Other Net cash provided from operating activities Notes 6 7 19 6&9 5 7&9 5 2025 2024 $ $ 30,677 (12,556) 12,469 13,469 17,523 15,765 54,884 53,768 699 376 3,813 6,150 130 849 1,261 37,452 387 41 (5,021) (9 ,195) 116,822 106,119 (51,376) (53,768) 319 558 2,032 (925) (89) (278) 227 (27) 130 (1,502) (2,775) (303) (8,753) (1,070) 3,128 (1,817) (2,371) (4 ,166) (16,286) 4,546 257 3,735 3,752 713 45,017 51,815 Page 7”

      Note: PDF p.524 text contains 116,822 and 106,119, but the extracted table does not reliably expose the corresponding row label, so the stated subtotal cannot be confirmed.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 524 · 2026 FDD

      Our summary: Operating cash flow before interest and working capital — 2025

      “MTV Franchising USA, Inc. Consolidated statements of cash flows Years ended November 30, 2025 and 2024 (In thousands of US dollars) Operating activities Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) Items not affecting cash: Depreciation - property, plant and equipment Amortization - intangible assets Interest expense Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets Impairment charge - property, plant and equipment Impairment charge - operating lease right-of-use assets Impairment charge - intangible assets and goodwill Loss on de-recognition/lease modification of operating lease liabilities Deferred income tax recovery Interest paid Changes in non-cash working capital items Accounts receivable Inventories Prepaid expenses and deposits Loans receivable Other current assets Income taxes Accounts payable Accrued liabilities Promotional funds payable Gift card liability Deferred revenue and deposits Other Net cash provided from operating activities Notes 6 7 19 6&9 5 7&9 5 2025 2024 $ $ 30,677 (12,556) 12,469 13,469 17,523 15,765 54,884 53,768 699 376 3,813 6,150 130 849 1,261 37,452 387 41 (5,021) (9 ,195) 116,822 106,119 (51,376) (53,768) 319 558 2,032 (925) (89) (278) 227 (27) 130 (1,502) (2,775) (303) (8,753) (1,070) 3,128 (1,817) (2,371) (4 ,166) (16,286) 4,546 257 3,735 3,752 713 45,017 51,815 Page 7”

      Note: PDF p.524 text contains 116,822 and 106,119, but the extracted table does not reliably expose the corresponding row label, so the stated subtotal cannot be confirmed.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 522 · 2026 FDD

      Our summary: Total current liabilities — 2025

      “MTV Franchising USA, Inc. Consolidated balance sheets As at November 30, 2025 and 2024 (In l11 ousan ds of US dollars) 2025 2024 Notes $ $ Assets Current assets Cash 21,840 12,834 Restricted cash 2 104 250 Accounts receivable 3 28,436 28,755 Inventories 5,244 7,182 Assets held for sale 4, 6 & 7 830 3,116 Current portion of loans receivable 189 384 Receivables from ultimate parent and parent company 12 & 22 233,800 204,389 Prepaid expenses and deposits 7,790 8,039 Other current assets 4,704 4,834 Income taxes receivable 20 6,356 4,402 309,293 274 ,185 Non-current assets Loans receivable 34 66 Contract cost asset 4,643 4,277 Other assets 2,565 2,106 Property, plant and equipment 6 42,751 53 ,675 Operating lease right-of-use assets 5 181,327 190,303 Intangible assets 7 559,967 577,327 Goodwill 8 346,490 346,490 1,447,070 1,448,429 Liabilities Current liabilities Accounts payable 6,939 14,808 Accrued liabilities 30,080 26,837 Gift card liability 10 93,010 109,252 Promotional funds payable 8,152 10,523 Current portion of operating lease liabilities 5 36,983 38 ,340 Current portion of deferred revenue and deposits 11 7,037 8,093 Advances from parent company 12 & 22 2,540 4,417 Short-term loan from parent 13 13,793 198,534 212,270 Page 5”

      Note: PDF p.522 text extraction merges the short-term parent loan row and the current-liabilities total; the cited 198,534 cannot be assigned confidently to the 2025 total from the available page text.

    Independent analysis of franchisor-provided data. Not investment advice. Franopolis does not distribute FDDs.