Pancheros
Franchise research report · reviewed 2026 disclosure data
Researching Pancheros franchise opportunities? Every figure below is cited to the FDD.
Pancheros franchise specializes in fresh Mexican cuisine, particularly known for its mission-style burritos made with freshly pressed tortillas and mixed ingred
Headline figures
Pancheros quick facts
- Is Pancheros a franchise?
- Yes. Pancheros offers franchises through a Franchise Disclosure Document. At the end of 2025, it reported 48 franchised and 25 company-owned outlets (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 54).
- How much does it cost to open a Pancheros franchise?
- The Pancheros Franchise Disclosure Document reports separate estimated initial investments by format: $1,537,500 for total estimated initial investment — high (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 20); $752,500–$1,537,500 for total estimated initial investment — low (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 20); $754,500–$1,552,500 for single restaurant — total initial investment: $ 754,500 - $ 1,552,500 (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 19). These formats are not combined. Each is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
- What is the Pancheros initial franchise fee?
- The disclosed initial franchise fee for a standard single unit is $30,000 (2026 FDD, Item 5, PDF p. 11). Other fee options (for example multi-unit or conversion) are listed separately in the report. Details
- What ongoing fees does Pancheros charge?
- The disclosed ongoing royalty is 5% (2025 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 12). The brand or advertising fund contribution is 3% (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 12). Other recurring fees are listed in Item 6. Details
- Does Pancheros disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
- Yes. The Pancheros FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation (2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 52). Figures apply only to the locations and period each one covers. Details
- How many Pancheros locations are there?
- The FDD reports 73 outlets at the end of 2025 (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 54). Existing locations do not indicate territory availability. Details
- Is Pancheros 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
- 1Opening costs are estimated at $754,500 – $1,552,500 in the 2026 FDD (Item 7); several initial fee options apply.
- 2Item 19 covers 9 separate groups: other measures for 24 Affiliate locations; other measures for 24 Affiliate locations; other measures for 24 Affiliate locations; other measures for locations; other measures for 71 All locations; other measures for 43 Franchised locations; other measures for 47 Franchised locations; other measures for 24 locations; other measures for 67 All locations. They are not combined.
- 3Outlets declined by 3 in 2025, to 73 (United States, as labeled in the FDD, Item 20).
From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.
Pancheros head-to-head
Closest peers in the same subcategory, side by side from reviewed FDD figures. Not a ranking or recommendation.
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. 19
Standard single-unit franchise fee
2026 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 11
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 Franchise Agreement Type of Fee 1 Amount Due Date Remarks Royalty Fee 13 — 5%Main ongoing fee
33 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?
9 separate populations, shown apart. Revenue is not owner income.
24 locations
Other measures · 24 locations
- Who is counted
- Affiliate threefullcalendar2023–25
- Period
- Median Gross Sales
- Excluded
- One affiliateclosedforrenovation2024/25excluded; separatefull2025andthreefullyears2023–25
- Method
- Grosssales excludes tax/documentedrefundcredits; royalty/advertising/operatingcostsnotdeducted; sourceTable2totals/averages preserved withoutcalculation.
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. 54
Net −1 outlets, 2022–2025
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 ($754,500 – $1,552,500) 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?
Reported units decreased from 76 to 73 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]Estimated initial investment — Item 7 · PDF p. 19
- [2]Standard initial franchise fee — Item 5 · PDF p. 11
- [3]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Affiliate threefullcalendar2023–25 · PDF p. 52
- [4]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Affiliate full2025 · PDF p. 51
- [5]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — 24affiliate restaurants full2025; commonbackoffice/costcalculation · PDF p. 53
- [6]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Met/exceeded groups identified by note; Table1Notes2–4/Table2Notes6–8 · PDF p. 52; PDF p. 51
- [7]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — All full2025 · PDF p. 51
- [8]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Franchised threefullcalendar2023–25 · PDF p. 52
- [9]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Franchised full2025 · PDF p. 51
- [10]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — 24affiliate full2025 · PDF p. 53
- [11]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — All threefullcalendar2023–25 · PDF p. 52
- [12]Outlet counts — Item 20, Table 1 · PDF p. 54
"PDF p." is the page in the PDF file; "printed p." is the number printed on the FDD page. Source document: FDD
Territory & operations
57 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 year | Measure | Reported value |
|---|---|---|
| 2028 | lease maturity 2028 | $97,258 |
| 2027 | lease maturity 2027 | $97,258 |
| 2026 | debt maturity | $5,361 |
| 2026 | lease maturity 2026 | $97,258 |
| 2025 | debt maturity | $12,168 |
| 2025 | lease maturity 2025 | $97,258 |
| 2024 | debt maturity | $22,169 |
| 2024 | lease maturity 2024 | $96,969 |
| 2023 | related-party accounts receivable | $44,222 |
| 2023 | income tax expense | $302,948 |
| 2023 | operating lease liability change | -$78,768 |
| 2023 | contract liabilities, current | $102,000 |
These figures describe the franchisor company, not individual franchise locations.
What changed from 2025 to 2026
- Franchise fee: $30,000 → $25,000
- System size: 152 → 73 units
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.
Head-to-head comparisons
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 12 · PDF p. 37 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Closed Markets are carved out from territorial protection; shopping malls in this definition exceed 500,000 square feet.
“The term “shopping malls” includes any retail center (enclosed or open), including “outlet malls,” with an aggregate gross leasable area in excess of 500,000 square feet.”
Note: Supplied quote could not be confirmed on the cited PDF page excerpt.
Item 12 · PDF p. 38 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Area Development Agreement Designated Territory requires development of at least three restaurants and is mapped in the agreement.
“We will mutually agree on the number of Restaurants that you must develop to keep your development rights (at least three)”
Note: Supplied quote could not be confirmed on the cited PDF page excerpt.
Item 12 · PDF p. 37 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Protected area limits franchisor or affiliate from operating/granting another Pancheros restaurant physically located inside it; another restaurant’s Designated Area may overlap.
“Your Designated Area is protected only to the extent that we will not operate or grant our affiliate or a third party the right to operate a PANCHEROS Restaurant, the physical premises of which are located within your Designated Area, but another PANCHEROS Restaurant’s Designated Area may overlap with your Designated Area.”
Note: Supplied quote could not be confirmed on the cited PDF page excerpt.
Item 12 · PDF p. 37 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Protected Designated Area, if granted, is defined by ZIP codes, county boundaries, highways, physical landforms or other boundaries chosen by franchisor; no minimum criteria.
“If we grant a Designated Area, it will be defined by zip code boundaries, county boundaries, highways, physical landforms, or other boundaries we deem appropriate. There are no minimum criteria for a Designated Area.”
Note: Supplied quote could not be confirmed on the cited PDF page excerpt.
Item 12 · PDF p. 37 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Exclusive territory: No unconditional exclusive territory; the franchisor may grant a limited protected Designated Area with stated carve-outs and exceptions.
“Except for the territorial protection granted within the Designated Area you will not receive an exclusive territory.”
Note: Supplied quote could not be confirmed on the cited PDF page excerpt.
Item 21 · PDF p. 181 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Deferred tax liabilities — 2023
“Deferred tax liabilities (203,200) (161,100)”
Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.
Item 21 · PDF p. 181 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Net deferred tax liability — 2022
“(52,100) $ (23,700) $”
Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.
Item 21 · PDF p. 181 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Deferred tax assets — 2022
“Deferred tax assets 151,100 $ 137,400 $”
Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.
Item 21 · PDF p. 181 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Deferred tax liabilities — 2022
“Deferred tax liabilities (203,200) (161,100)”
Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.
Item 21 · PDF p. 181 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Deferred tax assets — 2023
“Deferred tax assets 151,100 $ 137,400 $”
Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.
Item 21 · PDF p. 181 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Net deferred tax liability — 2023
“(52,100) $ (23,700) $”
Note: The quote did not match the cited PDF page; left pending for another look.
Independent analysis of franchisor-provided data. Not investment advice. Franopolis does not distribute FDDs.