Franopolis
    MS

    Moe’s Southwest Grill

    Franchise research report · reviewed 2026 disclosure data

    Researching Moe’s Southwest Grill franchise opportunities? Every figure below is cited to the FDD.

    Reviewed sources
    Franchising since
    2001
    Source: franchise.org
    Headquarters
    Atlanta, GA United States
    Source: franchise.org

    Moe's Southwest Grill is a fast-casual restaurant franchise serving Southwestern-style food. The menu includes burritos, bowls, quesadillas, nachos and stacks, with catering available at selected locations.

    Headline figures

    Quick facts

    How much does it cost to open a Moe’s Southwest Grill franchise?
    The Moe’s Southwest Grill Franchise Disclosure Document reports an estimated initial investment of $644,425 (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 43). This is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
    What is the Moe’s Southwest Grill initial franchise fee?
    The disclosed initial franchise fee for a standard single unit is $7,500 (2026 FDD, Item 5, PDF p. 29). Other fee options (for example multi-unit or conversion) are listed separately in the report. Details
    What ongoing fees does Moe’s Southwest Grill charge?
    The disclosed ongoing royalty is $5 (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 30). The brand or advertising fund contribution is $1 (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 31). Other recurring fees are listed in Item 6. Details
    Does Moe’s Southwest Grill disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
    Yes. The Moe’s Southwest Grill 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 Moe’s Southwest Grill locations are there?
    The FDD reports 1,136 outlets at the end of 2025 (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 85). 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 $644,425 in the 2026 FDD (Item 7); several initial fee options apply.
    2. 2Item 19 covers 5 separate groups: other measures for 116 Franchised locations; other measures for 464 Franchised locations; other measures for 116 Franchised locations; other measures for 116 Franchised locations; other measures for 116 Franchised locations. They are not combined.
    3. 3Outlets declined by 56 in 2025, to 1,136 (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

    Standard single-unit franchise fee

    2026 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 29
    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.

    OTHER FEES Type of Fee 1 Amount Date Due Remarks Royalty Fee — 5%Main ongoing fee

    78 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?

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

    Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record

    Other measures · 116 locations

    Who is counted
    Traditional eligiblefranchises Top Quartile
    Period
    median netsales
    Excluded
    Nontraditional,cobranded,affiliate,non52weekeligibleexcluded;11noneligibleincl5new;33permanentclosures>=12months;0reacquired. Noexpense/profitdata.
    Method
    Franchiseereportsunaudited/unverified. Tabletotal464vsnote463of474(97.7%) conflict retained;205attainingtotal asprinted. Netsales definitionPDF83–84.

    Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record

    Other measures · 464 locations

    Who is counted
    Traditional eligiblefranchises Total
    Period
    median netsales
    Excluded
    Nontraditional,cobranded,affiliate,non52weekeligibleexcluded;11noneligibleincl5new;33permanentclosures>=12months;0reacquired. Noexpense/profitdata.
    Method
    Franchiseereportsunaudited/unverified. Tabletotal464vsnote463of474(97.7%) conflict retained;205attainingtotal asprinted. Netsales definitionPDF83–84.

    Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record

    Other measures · 116 locations

    Who is counted
    Traditional eligiblefranchises 3rd Quartile
    Period
    lowest netsales
    Excluded
    Nontraditional,cobranded,affiliate,non52weekeligibleexcluded;11noneligibleincl5new;33permanentclosures>=12months;0reacquired. Noexpense/profitdata.
    Method
    Franchiseereportsunaudited/unverified. Tabletotal464vsnote463of474(97.7%) conflict retained;205attainingtotal asprinted. Netsales definitionPDF83–84.

    Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record

    Other measures · 116 locations

    Who is counted
    Traditional eligiblefranchises Bottom Quartile
    Period
    attaining/exceeding percent
    Excluded
    Nontraditional,cobranded,affiliate,non52weekeligibleexcluded;11noneligibleincl5new;33permanentclosures>=12months;0reacquired. Noexpense/profitdata.
    Method
    Franchiseereportsunaudited/unverified. Tabletotal464vsnote463of474(97.7%) conflict retained;205attainingtotal asprinted. Netsales definitionPDF83–84.

    Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record

    Other measures · 116 locations

    Who is counted
    Traditional eligiblefranchises 2nd Quartile
    Period
    attaining/exceeding average
    Excluded
    Nontraditional,cobranded,affiliate,non52weekeligibleexcluded;11noneligibleincl5new;33permanentclosures>=12months;0reacquired. Noexpense/profitdata.
    Method
    Franchiseereportsunaudited/unverified. Tabletotal464vsnote463of474(97.7%) conflict retained;205attainingtotal asprinted. Netsales definitionPDF83–84.

    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. 85

    Net −88 outlets, 2023–2025

    01,22420231,19220241,1362025−32−56

    Year-end counts reported in Item 20. The scale starts at zero, so the line looks nearly flat; 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 ($644,425) 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 1,192 to 1,136 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]Standard initial franchise fee — Item 5 · PDF p. 29
    3. [3]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional eligiblefranchises Top Quartile · PDF p. 83
    4. [4]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional eligiblefranchises Total · PDF p. 83
    5. [5]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional eligiblefranchises 3rd Quartile · PDF p. 83
    6. [6]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional eligiblefranchises Bottom Quartile · PDF p. 83
    7. [7]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Traditional eligiblefranchises 2nd Quartile · PDF p. 83
    8. [8]Outlet counts — Item 20, Table 1 · PDF p. 85

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

    Territory & operations

    749 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
    2025restricted cash - securitization$8,082
    2025cash and cash equivalents$325
    2025intercompany payables$3,278
    2025assets held for lease, net$61
    2025long-term other liabilities$124
    2025total member's equity$284,502
    2025income tax expense$2,438
    2025fees and expenses management fee to gtfl$51,924
    2025income before income tax expense$268,206
    2025net increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash - securitization$2,062
    2025accrued expenses and other liabilities-$1,129
    2025deferred revenue$2,000
    2025intercompany receivable / payable$267
    2025net cash provided by operating activities$268,843
    2025total current assets$40,173
    2025intangible assets, net$306,123
    2025total assets$346,357
    2025liabilities and member's equity current liabilities accrued expenses and other liabilities$3,064
    2025current portion of deferred revenue$3,890
    2025total current liabilities$10,232
    2025long-term deferred revenue$51,499
    2025total liabilities$61,855
    2025franchise revenues$321,417
    2025selling, general and administrative$1,136
    2025depreciation and amortization expense$151
    2025total fees and expenses$53,211
    2025net income$265,768
    2025adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities depreciation and amortization expense$151
    2025provision for credit losses$574
    2025changes in operating assets and liabilities accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets$1,212
    2025cash flows from investing activities purchases of assets held for lease-$4
    2025proceeds from sale or disposal of assets held for sale$127
    2025net cash provided by$123
    2025cash flows from financing activities distributions to member, net-$266,904
    2025cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash - securitization, beginning of year$6,345
    2025end of year$8,407
    2025supplemental disclosure of cash flow information cash paid for income taxes, net$2,438
    2024deferred revenue$4,274
    2024long-term deferred revenue$50,042
    2024assets held for lease, net$261
    2024total assets$346,347
    2024fees and expenses management fee to gtfl$50,394
    2024total fees and expenses$51,967
    2024cash flows from investing activities purchases of assets held for lease-$37
    2024cash flows from financing activities distributions to member, net-$251,656
    2024accrued expenses and other liabilities$668
    2024intercompany receivable / payable-$1,816
    2024net cash provided by operating activities$250,583
    2024cash and cash equivalents$620
    2024restricted cash - securitization$5,725
    2024prepaid expenses and other current assets$5
    2024total current assets$39,898
    2024intangible assets, net$306,188
    2024liabilities and member's equity current liabilities accrued expenses and other liabilities$4,186
    2024current portion of deferred revenue$3,346
    2024intercompany payables$3,011
    2024total current liabilities$10,543
    2024long-term other liabilities$124
    2024total liabilities$60,709
    2024total member's equity$285,638
    2024franchise revenues$308,898
    2024selling, general and administrative$1,326
    2024depreciation and amortization expense$247
    2024income before income tax expense$256,931
    2024income tax expense$2,967
    2024net income$253,964
    2024provision for credit losses$655
    2024changes in operating assets and liabilities accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets-$7,409
    2024net increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash - securitization-$1,110
    2024cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash - securitization, beginning of year$7,455
    2024end of year$6,345
    2024supplemental disclosure of cash flow information cash paid for income taxes, net$2,967
    2023intercompany receivable / payable$2,040
    2023net income$248,990
    2023net cash provided by operating activities$244,472
    2023supplemental disclosure of cash flow information cash paid for income taxes, net$2,517
    2023cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash - securitization, beginning of year$6,510
    2023changes in operating assets and liabilities accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets-$5,708
    2023accrued expenses and other liabilities$473
    2023deferred revenue-$1,626
    2023franchise revenues$299,237
    2023fees and expenses management fee to gtfl$46,822
    2023selling, general and administrative$608
    2023depreciation and amortization expense$300
    2023total fees and expenses$47,730
    2023income before income tax expense$251,507
    2023income tax expense$2,517
    2023provision for credit losses$3
    2023cash flows from investing activities purchases of assets held for lease-$220
    2023cash flows from financing activities distributions to member, net-$243,307
    2023net increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash - securitization$945
    2023end of year$7,455

    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.

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    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

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