Franopolis

    Dunkin'

    Franchise research report · reviewed 2026 disclosure data

    Reviewed sources

    Dunkin' serves coffee, espresso drinks, donuts, bagels, sandwiches and other bakery and snack items. Its stores offer food and beverages for breakfast and other occasions, with digital ordering options.

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    Headline figures

    Dunkin' quick facts

    How much does it cost to open a Dunkin' franchise?
    The Dunkin' Franchise Disclosure Document reports separate estimated initial investments by format: $142,000–$862,500 for total (notes 12-14) — low end (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 56); $532,400–$1,832,500 for total (notes 12-14) — low end (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 53); $443,000–$1,333,500 for total (notes 12-14) — low end (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 54); $216,400–$1,065,500 for total (notes 12-14) — low end (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 55). These formats are not combined. Each is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
    What is the Dunkin' initial franchise fee?
    The disclosed initial franchise fee for a standard single unit is $40,000 (2026 FDD, Item 5, PDF p. 35). Other fee options (for example multi-unit or conversion) are listed separately in the report. Details
    What ongoing fees does Dunkin' charge?
    The disclosed ongoing royalty is 5.9% (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 44). The brand or advertising fund contribution is 2.5% (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 44). Other recurring fees are listed in Item 6. Details
    Does Dunkin' disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
    Yes. The Dunkin' FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation (2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 97). Figures apply only to the locations and period each one covers. Details
    Is Dunkin' a good franchise to buy?
    Franopolis does not rate or recommend franchises. From the reviewed FDD: Item 19 includes financial performance figures; check which locations and period they cover; Item 20 lists outlet openings, closures and transfers; Item 6 includes a brand or advertising fund contribution on top of royalty; Item 20 also lists current and former franchisees you can contact. Review the full FDD with a franchise attorney and accountant before deciding.

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

    What the disclosures show

    1. 1The 2026 FDD (Item 7) estimates opening costs separately by format: $142,000 – $862,500 (TOTAL (Notes 12-14) — low end); $532,400 – $1,832,500 (TOTAL (Notes 12-14) — low end); $443,000 – $1,333,500 (TOTAL (Notes 12-14) — low end); $216,400 – $1,065,500 (TOTAL (Notes 12-14) — low end); several initial fee options apply.
    2. 2Item 19 covers 13 separate groups: other measures for 1,752 franchisee-owned locations; other measures for 1,753 franchisee-owned locations; other measures for 1,753 franchisee-owned locations; other measures for 1,752 franchisee-owned locations; other measures for 416 franchisee-owned locations; other measures for 4,161 franchisee-owned locations; other measures for 5,592 franchisee-owned locations; other measures for 7,010 franchisee-owned locations; other measures for 3,169 franchisee-owned locations; other measures for 2,423 franchisee-owned locations; other measures for 900 franchisee-owned locations; other measures for 102 franchisee-owned locations; other measures for 1,431 franchisee-owned locations. They are not combined.

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

    Franchises under $150kOther brands whose disclosed Item 7 low end fits this budget.

    Dunkin' head-to-head

    Closest peers in the same subcategory, side by side from reviewed FDD figures. Not a ranking or recommendation.

    Dunkin'VSTIM HORTONS
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    Dunkin'VSCaribou Coffee
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    Dunkin'VSTravelin' Toms Coffee
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    Dunkin'VSScooter’s Coffee
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    Costs · Items 5–7

    What does it cost to open?

    Estimated opening costs and the fees payable to the franchisor.

    Startup Investment — Item 7

    Range across 4 single-unit formats

    2026 FDD · Item 7

    Formats disclosed in Item 7 (4)

    Each format has its own total. The total depends on the format you choose.

    • TOTAL (Notes 12-14) — low endPDF p. 56$142,000 – $862,500
    • TOTAL (Notes 12-14) — low endPDF p. 55$216,400 – $1,065,500
    • TOTAL (Notes 12-14) — low endPDF p. 54$443,000 – $1,333,500
    • TOTAL (Notes 12-14) — low endPDF p. 53$532,400 – $1,832,500

    Standard single-unit franchise fee

    2026 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 35
    Discounted and multi-unit options are separate; see all fees.

    Ongoing Fees — Item 6

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

    Continuing Franchise Fee rateMain ongoing fee

    26 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?

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

    1,752 locations

    Other measures · 1,752 locations

    Who is counted
    2025 Franchised Restaurants; 1st Quartile
    Period
    highest AUV
    Excluded
    Excluded 314 locations first opened in 2025, 1,261 closed for extended periods, 36 multi-brand locations, 111 self-serve locations, 25 part-time/non-typical schedule locations, 81 locations that closed during 2025, all company-owned restaurants, and 1,219 Combo Restaurants.
    Method
    AUVs obtained from franchisee sales reports and franchisee POS data; unaudited.

    These groups are never combined.

    Outlet Changes — Item 20

    How has the outlet count changed?

    Coverage not stated in the reviewed record · counts as of year end of each year.

    2026 FDD · Item 20 ·

    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 ($142,000 – $1,832,500) 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?

    • 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]Standard initial franchise fee — Item 5 · PDF p. 35
    2. [2]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — 2025 Franchised Restaurants; 1st Quartile · PDF p. 97
    3. [3]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — 2025 Franchised Restaurants; 2nd Quartile · PDF p. 97
    4. [4]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — 2025 Franchised Restaurants; 4th Quartile · PDF p. 97
    5. [5]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — 2025 Franchised Restaurants; 3rd Quartile · PDF p. 97
    6. [6]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — 2025 Franchised Restaurants by site type and venue; Non-traditional other · PDF p. 97
    7. [7]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — 2025 traditional Franchised Restaurants by drive-thru status; Drive-thru · PDF p. 97
    8. [8]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional 2025 Franchised Restaurants · PDF p. 98
    9. [9]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — 2025 Franchised Restaurants; All Restaurants · PDF p. 97
    10. [10]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — 2025 Franchised Restaurants by site type and venue; Traditional/free-standing p… · PDF p. 97
    11. [11]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — 2025 Franchised Restaurants by site type and venue; Traditional/other · PDF p. 97
    12. [12]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — 2025 Franchised Restaurants by site type and venue; Non-traditional gas or C-st… · PDF p. 97
    13. [13]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — 2025 Franchised Restaurants by site type and venue; Non-traditional airport · PDF p. 97
    14. [14]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — 2025 traditional Franchised Restaurants by drive-thru status; No drive-thru · PDF p. 97

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

    Territory & operations

    5,396 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.

    Legal & agreement

    Franchisor financial statements

    Fiscal yearMeasureReported value
    2025total revenues$1,398,356
    2025franchise advertising expenses$597,779
    2025amortization of intangible assetsMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$60,885
    2025other operating costs and expenses$653
    2025operating income$739,039
    2025other income, net$189
    2025income before income taxes$739,228
    2025income tax expense$6,318
    2025net incomeMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$732,910
    2025net incomeMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$732,910
    2025accounts and notes receivable-$41,839
    2025other assetsMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing-$562

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

    SBA-backed loans to franchisees

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

    Related research

    Brands in the same subcategory first, then the wider industry, ordered by shared business format, overlapping investment range, Item 20 outlet count and search interest. This is not a ranking or recommendation.

    TIM HORTONSCaribou CoffeeTravelin' Toms CoffeeScooter’s CoffeeTim Hortons USA, Inc.The Human Bean

    Head-to-head comparisons

    Dunkin' vs TIM HORTONSDunkin' vs Caribou CoffeeDunkin' vs Travelin' Toms CoffeeDunkin' vs Scooter’s CoffeeDunkin' vs Tim Hortons USA, Inc.Dunkin' vs The Human Bean
    Compare reviewed facts

    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. 128 · 2026 FDD

      Our summary: Amortization of intangible assets — 2024

      “Amortization of intangible assets 60,885 60,885 60,885”

      Note: This is a state-specific Item 20 row. The review is limited to systemwide/national Total rows.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 128 · 2026 FDD

      Our summary: Provision for (recoveries from) credit losses — 2025

      “Provision for (recoveries from) credit losses (185) 2,350 579”

      Note: This is a state-specific Item 20 row. The review is limited to systemwide/national Total rows.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 128 · 2026 FDD

      Our summary: Amortization of intangible assets — 2023

      “Amortization of intangible assets 60,885 60,885 60,885”

      Note: This is a state-specific Item 20 row. The review is limited to systemwide/national Total rows.

    • Item 21 · PDF p. 128 · 2026 FDD

      Our summary: Amortization of intangible assets — 2025

      “Amortization of intangible assets 60,885 60,885 60,885”

      Note: This is a state-specific Item 20 row. The review is limited to systemwide/national Total rows.

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

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