Pickleman’s Gourmet Cafe
Franchise research report · reviewed 2026 disclosure data
Researching Pickleman’s Gourmet Cafe franchise opportunities? Every figure below is cited to the FDD.
Reviewed sources
- Franchising since
- 2008 Source: franchise.org
- Headquarters
- Hallsville, MO United States Source: franchise.org
Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe franchise specializes in made-to-order sandwiches, salads, and soups with a focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients and fast-casual di
Headline figures
Quick facts
- How much does it cost to open a Pickleman’s Gourmet Cafe franchise?
- The Pickleman’s Gourmet Cafe Franchise Disclosure Document reports an estimated initial investment of $646,000–$1,112,750 (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 15). This is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
- What is the Pickleman’s Gourmet Cafe initial franchise fee?
- The disclosed initial franchise fee for a standard single unit is $35,000 (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 Pickleman’s Gourmet Cafe charge?
- The disclosed ongoing royalty is 6% (2026 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 Pickleman’s Gourmet Cafe disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
- Yes. The Pickleman’s Gourmet Cafe FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation (2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 36). Figures apply only to the locations and period each one covers. Details
- How many Pickleman’s Gourmet Cafe locations are there?
- The FDD reports 35 outlets at the end of 2025 (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 39). Existing locations do not indicate territory availability. Details
From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.
What the disclosures show
- 1Opening costs are estimated at $646,000 – $1,112,750 in the 2026 FDD (Item 7); several initial fee options apply.
- 2Item 19 covers 16 separate groups: other measures for 8 franchised locations; other measures and revenue for 31 franchised locations; other measures and revenue for 27 franchised locations; revenue for 31 franchised locations; other measures for 7 franchised locations; other measures for franchised locations; other measures for 8 franchised locations; other measures for 8 franchised locations; revenue for 28 franchised locations; other measures for 20 franchised locations; other measures for 20 franchised locations; other measures for 7 franchised locations; other measures for 7 franchised locations; other measures for 5 franchised locations; other measures for 5 franchised locations; revenue for 34 franchised locations. They are not combined.
- 3Outlets grew by 3 in 2025, to 35 (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. 15
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.
- Royalty percentage of gross salesMain ongoing fee
40 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?
16 separate populations, shown apart. Revenue is not owner income.
Franchised locations
Other measures · 8 locations
- Who is counted
- Quartile2 of31full-yearfranchises
- Period
- Average
- Excluded
- Threeof34year-endoutlets opened2025excluded.
- Method
- Unaudited actual gross revenues minus coupons, discounts and taxes; no expenses deducted.
Franchised locations
Revenue and other measures · 31 locations
- Who is counted
- 31franchises open entire2025
- Excluded
- Threeof34year-endoutlets opened2025excluded.
- Method
- Unaudited actual gross revenues minus coupons, discounts and taxes; no expenses deducted.
Franchised locations
Revenue and other measures · 27 locations
- Who is counted
- 27franchises operating at least3years
- Excluded
- Sevenunder3years excluded
- Method
- Unaudited actual gross revenues minus coupons, discounts and taxes; no expenses deducted.
Franchised locations
Revenue · 31 locations
- Who is counted
- Year-endfranchisedoutlets:34in2025and31in2024
- Excluded
- Year populations differ; not same-storecomparison.
- Method
- Unaudited actual gross revenues minus coupons, discounts and taxes; no expenses deducted.
Franchised locations
Other measures · 7 locations
- Who is counted
- Quartile1 of31full-yearfranchises
- Period
- Average
- Excluded
- Threeof34year-endoutlets opened2025excluded.
- Method
- Unaudited actual gross revenues minus coupons, discounts and taxes; no expenses deducted.
Franchised locations
Other measures
- Who is counted
- Year-endfranchisedoutlets:34in2025and31in2024
- Excluded
- Year populations differ; not same-storecomparison.
- Method
- Unaudited actual gross revenues minus coupons, discounts and taxes; no expenses deducted.
Franchised locations
Other measures · 8 locations
- Who is counted
- Quartile3 of31full-yearfranchises
- Period
- Average
- Excluded
- Threeof34year-endoutlets opened2025excluded.
- Method
- Unaudited actual gross revenues minus coupons, discounts and taxes; no expenses deducted.
Franchised locations
Other measures · 8 locations
- Who is counted
- Quartile4 of31full-yearfranchises
- Period
- Median
- Excluded
- Threeof34year-endoutlets opened2025excluded.
- Method
- Unaudited actual gross revenues minus coupons, discounts and taxes; no expenses deducted.
Franchised locations
Revenue · 28 locations
- Who is counted
- 28franchises open throughout2024and2025
- Excluded
- Sixof34excluded:3opened2024,3opened2025.
- Method
- Ranked by year-over-year revenue change. Source aggregates2025revenue and divides by2024same-storeaggregate; reported percentages retained.
Franchised locations
Other measures · 20 locations
- Who is counted
- Top20 of28matchedfull-yearoutlets
- Excluded
- Sixof34excluded:3opened2024,3opened2025.
- Method
- Ranked by year-over-year revenue change. Source aggregates2025revenue and divides by2024same-storeaggregate; reported percentages retained.
Franchised locations
Other measures · 20 locations
- Who is counted
- Bottom20 of28matchedfull-yearoutlets
- Excluded
- Sixof34excluded:3opened2024,3opened2025.
- Method
- Ranked by year-over-year revenue change. Source aggregates2025revenue and divides by2024same-storeaggregate; reported percentages retained.
Franchised locations
Other measures · 7 locations
- Who is counted
- Topquartile of28matchedfull-yearoutlets
- Excluded
- Sixof34excluded:3opened2024,3opened2025.
- Method
- Ranked by year-over-year revenue change. Source aggregates2025revenue and divides by2024same-storeaggregate; reported percentages retained.
Franchised locations
Other measures · 7 locations
- Who is counted
- Bottomquartile of28matchedfull-yearoutlets
- Excluded
- Sixof34excluded:3opened2024,3opened2025.
- Method
- Ranked by year-over-year revenue change. Source aggregates2025revenue and divides by2024same-storeaggregate; reported percentages retained.
Franchised locations
Other measures · 5 locations
- Who is counted
- Top5 of28matchedfull-yearoutlets
- Excluded
- Sixof34excluded:3opened2024,3opened2025.
- Method
- Ranked by year-over-year revenue change. Source aggregates2025revenue and divides by2024same-storeaggregate; reported percentages retained.
Franchised locations
Other measures · 5 locations
- Who is counted
- Bottom5 of28matchedfull-yearoutlets
- Excluded
- Sixof34excluded:3opened2024,3opened2025.
- Method
- Ranked by year-over-year revenue change. Source aggregates2025revenue and divides by2024same-storeaggregate; reported percentages retained.
Franchised locations
Revenue · 34 locations
- Who is counted
- Year-endfranchisedoutlets:34in2025and31in2024
- Excluded
- Year populations differ; not same-storecomparison.
- Method
- Unaudited actual gross revenues minus coupons, discounts and taxes; no expenses deducted.
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. 39
Net +6 outlets, 2023–2025
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 ($646,000 – $1,112,750) 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 went from 32 to 35 in 2025. How many new units opened, closed or changed hands?
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. 15
- [2]Standard initial franchise fee — Item 5 · PDF p. 11
- [3]Item 19 — Franchised (8 locations) — other measures — Quartile2 of31full-yearfranchises · PDF p. 36
- [4]Item 19 — Franchised (31 locations) — other measures and revenue · PDF p. 36
- [5]Item 19 — Franchised (27 locations) — other measures and revenue · PDF p. 36
- [6]Item 19 — Franchised (31 locations) — revenue · PDF p. 38
- [7]Item 19 — Franchised (7 locations) — other measures — Quartile1 of31full-yearfranchises · PDF p. 36
- [8]Item 19 — Franchised locations — other measures · PDF p. 38
- [9]Item 19 — Franchised (8 locations) — other measures — Quartile3 of31full-yearfranchises · PDF p. 36
- [10]Item 19 — Franchised (8 locations) — other measures — Quartile4 of31full-yearfranchises · PDF p. 36
- [11]Item 19 — Franchised (28 locations) — revenue · PDF p. 37
- [12]Item 19 — Franchised (20 locations) — other measures — Top20 of28matchedfull-yearoutlets · PDF p. 37
- [13]Item 19 — Franchised (20 locations) — other measures — Bottom20 of28matchedfull-yearoutlets · PDF p. 37
- [14]Item 19 — Franchised (7 locations) — other measures — Topquartile of28matchedfull-yearoutlets · PDF p. 37
- [15]Item 19 — Franchised (7 locations) — other measures — Bottomquartile of28matchedfull-yearoutlets · PDF p. 37
- [16]Item 19 — Franchised (5 locations) — other measures — Top5 of28matchedfull-yearoutlets · PDF p. 38
- [17]Item 19 — Franchised (5 locations) — other measures — Bottom5 of28matchedfull-yearoutlets · PDF p. 38
- [18]Item 19 — Franchised (34 locations) — revenue · PDF p. 38
- [19]Outlet counts — Item 20, Table 1 · PDF p. 39
"PDF p." is the page in the PDF file; "printed p." is the number printed on the FDD page.
Territory & operations
37 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | cash and cash equivalents | $235,266 |
| 2025 | accounts receivable | $38,570 |
| 2025 | advertising fund receivable | $10,427 |
| 2025 | inventory | $86,151 |
| 2025 | due from big dill productions, llc | $15,081 |
| 2025 | due from pickleman's enterprise, llc | $23,438 |
| 2025 | total current assets | $636,545 |
| 2025 | fixed assets computers, furniture, and equipment | $145,589 |
| 2025 | automobiles and trailers | $381,402 |
| 2025 | accumulated depreciation | -$152,113 |
| 2025 | total fixed assets | $374,878 |
| 2025 | total other assets | $1,075,098 |
| 2025 | total assets | $2,086,521 |
| 2025 | liabilities and equity current liabilities accounts payable | $95,870 |
| 2025 | sales tax payable | $537 |
| 2025 | accrued payroll expenses and liabilities | $60,815 |
| 2025 | current portion of vehicle loans | $40,116 |
| 2025 | current portion of lawsuit liability | $18,000 |
| 2025 | total current liabilities | $215,338 |
| 2025 | long term liabilities long term portion of vehicle loans | $155,457 |
| 2025 | long term portion of lawsuit liability | $57,171 |
| 2025 | total liabilities | $1,168,397 |
| 2025 | equity member's equity | $918,124 |
| 2025 | total liabilities and equity | $2,086,521 |
| 2025 | advertising fund income | $1,459,355 |
| 2025 | franchise fee income | $230,000 |
| 2025 | product income | $35,797 |
| 2025 | total revenue | $4,545,198 |
| 2025 | advertising and promotion | $1,064,161 |
| 2025 | depreciation | $89,717 |
| 2025 | dues and subscriptions | $67,614 |
| 2025 | insurance expense | $146,209 |
| 2025 | miscellaneous | $30,131 |
| 2025 | membership dues | $29,833 |
| 2025 | payroll | $1,983,213 |
| 2025 | parking | $3,210 |
| 2025 | professional fees | $132,004 |
| 2025 | property taxes | $3,203 |
| 2025 | storage | $11,082 |
| 2025 | telephone expense | $13,580 |
| 2025 | meals | $57,083 |
| 2025 | uniform | $1,651 |
| 2025 | other income and expenses rebate income | $133,214 |
| 2025 | other income and | $165,099 |
| 2025 | interest expense | -$4,194 |
| 2025 | gain/(loss) on equipment | $17,221 |
| 2025 | billable expense | $2,595 |
| 2025 | member's net distribution | -$858,432 |
| 2025 | ending member's equity | $918,124 |
| 2025 | depreciation and amortization | $89,717 |
| 2025 | gain)/loss on disposal of fixed assets | -$17,221 |
| 2025 | member's net distributions | -$858,432 |
| 2025 | changes in assets and liabilities accounts receivable | -$23,861 |
| 2025 | payments on loans | -$125,249 |
| 2025 | payments on lawsuit | $18,000 |
| 2025 | investing activities purchases of fixed assets | -$322,879 |
| 2025 | cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | $289,829 |
| 2025 | cash and cash equivalents at end of year | $379,270 |
| 2025 | supplemental disclosure of cash flow information cash paid during the year for interest | $4,194 |
| 2025 | prepaid expenses | $83,608 |
| 2025 | loans to shareholder | $1,075,098 |
| 2025 | gift card holding | $549,448 |
| 2025 | restricted liabilities advertising fund - unspent portion | $190,983 |
| 2025 | total equity | $918,124 |
| 2025 | net income | $882,485 |
| 2025 | total restricted liabilities | $740,431 |
| 2025 | management income | $12,000 |
| 2025 | proceeds from sale of fixed assets | $120,999 |
| 2025 | net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $89,441 |
| 2025 | bank and e-commerce service charges | $4,301 |
| 2025 | license, permits, and taxes | $4,906 |
| 2025 | office supplies | $9,988 |
| 2025 | postage and delivery | $2,737 |
| 2025 | change in net income | $882,485 |
| 2025 | financing activities cash | $32,603 |
| 2025 | product supplies | $24,967 |
| 2025 | net income from operating activities | $568,550 |
| 2025 | product development | $1,081 |
| 2025 | training, conferences, and travel | $263,095 |
| 2025 | supplies | $32,215 |
| 2025 | total operating expenses | $3,976,648 |
| 2025 | net other income and expenses | $313,935 |
| 2025 | restricted cash - gift card and advertising funds | $144,004 |
| 2024 | cash and cash equivalents | $112,824 |
| 2024 | advertising fund receivable | $5,681 |
| 2024 | inventory | $89,612 |
| 2024 | due from big dill productions, llc | $105 |
| 2024 | due from pickleman's enterprise, llc | $71,017 |
| 2024 | total current assets | $599,212 |
| 2024 | accumulated depreciation | -$194,410 |
| 2024 | total fixed assets | $245,494 |
| 2024 | loans to shareholder | $1,011,240 |
| 2024 | total other assets | $1,011,240 |
| 2024 | liabilities and equity current liabilities accounts payable | $135,779 |
| 2024 | current portion of vehicle loans | $38,623 |
| 2024 | current portion of lawsuit liability | $18,000 |
| 2024 | long term liabilities long term portion of vehicle loans | $68,945 |
| 2024 | long term portion of lawsuit liability | $76,671 |
| 2024 | restricted liabilities advertising fund - unspent portion | $205,015 |
| 2024 | gift card holding | $375,894 |
| 2024 | total restricted liabilities | $580,909 |
| 2024 | total liabilities | $961,875 |
| 2024 | equity member's equity | $894,071 |
| 2024 | total equity | $894,071 |
| 2024 | total liabilities and equity | $1,855,946 |
| 2024 | franchise fee income | $210,000 |
| 2024 | management income | $12,000 |
| 2024 | total revenue | $3,776,337 |
| 2024 | advertising and promotion | $691,835 |
| 2024 | bank and e-commerce service charges | $6,017 |
| 2024 | depreciation | $83,541 |
| 2024 | insurance expense | $126,333 |
| 2024 | miscellaneous | $19,220 |
| 2024 | membership dues | $30,078 |
| 2024 | office supplies | $6,861 |
| 2024 | payroll | $1,627,981 |
| 2024 | parking | $2,144 |
| 2024 | postage and delivery | $2,310 |
| 2024 | professional fees | $61,715 |
| 2024 | product development | -$3,366 |
| 2024 | property taxes | $6,998 |
| 2024 | storage | $13,609 |
| 2024 | supplies | $2,562 |
| 2024 | telephone expense | $14,644 |
| 2024 | training, conferences, and travel | $210,818 |
| 2024 | meals | $35,368 |
| 2024 | uniform | $949 |
| 2024 | total operating expenses | $3,183,081 |
| 2024 | net income from operating activities | $593,256 |
| 2024 | other income and expenses rebate income | $137,306 |
| 2024 | interest expense | -$10,940 |
| 2024 | gain/(loss) on equipment | -$606 |
| 2024 | billable expense | $3,545 |
| 2024 | net other income and expenses | $133,145 |
| 2024 | net income | $726,401 |
| 2024 | member's net distribution | -$789,412 |
| 2024 | ending member's equity | $894,071 |
| 2024 | change in net income | $726,401 |
| 2024 | depreciation and amortization | $83,541 |
| 2024 | gain)/loss on disposal of fixed assets | $606 |
| 2024 | financing activities cash | $37,348 |
| 2024 | payments on loans | -$41,665 |
| 2024 | payments on lawsuit | $23,500 |
| 2024 | investing activities purchases of fixed assets | -$14,395 |
| 2024 | proceeds from sale of fixed assets | $4,000 |
| 2024 | cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | $217,822 |
| 2024 | cash and cash equivalents at end of year | $289,829 |
| 2024 | restricted cash - gift card and advertising funds | $177,005 |
| 2024 | accounts receivable | $19,455 |
| 2024 | prepaid expenses | $123,513 |
| 2024 | fixed assets computers, furniture, and equipment | $142,838 |
| 2024 | automobiles and trailers | $297,066 |
| 2024 | total assets | $1,855,946 |
| 2024 | accrued payroll expenses and liabilities | $42,245 |
| 2024 | total current liabilities | $235,349 |
| 2024 | dues and subscriptions | $82,614 |
| 2024 | sales tax payable | $702 |
| 2024 | advertising fund income | $1,029,354 |
| 2024 | supplemental disclosure of cash flow information cash paid during the year for interest | $10,940 |
| 2024 | product income | $27,750 |
| 2024 | member's net distributions | -$789,412 |
| 2024 | license, permits, and taxes | $4,700 |
| 2024 | changes in assets and liabilities accounts receivable | $16,823 |
| 2024 | product supplies | $25,879 |
| 2024 | other income and | $3,840 |
| 2024 | net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $72,007 |
| — | operating cash-flow change in inventoryMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $3,461 |
| — | operating cash-flow change in prepaid expensesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $39,905 |
| — | operating cash-flow change in loan to shareholderMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | -$63,858 |
| — | operating cash-flow change in accounts payableMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | -$39,909 |
| — | operating cash-flow change in sales tax payableMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | -$165 |
| — | operating cash-flow change in accrued payroll expenses and liabilitiesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $18,570 |
| — | operating cash-flow change in advertising fund - unspent portionMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | -$14,032 |
| — | operating cash-flow change in gift card holdingMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $163,619 |
| — | operating cash-flow change in lawsuit liabilityMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $71,171 |
| — | beginning member's equityMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $957,082 |
| — | operating cash-flow change in gift card holdingMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $173,554 |
| — | operating cash-flow change in lawsuit liabilityMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | -$19,500 |
| — | operating cash-flow change in loan to shareholderMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | -$290,292 |
| — | operating cash-flow change in inventoryMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | -$11,328 |
| — | operating cash-flow change in advertising fund - unspent portionMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $144,407 |
| — | operating cash-flow change in accounts payableMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $31,536 |
| — | beginning member's equityMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $894,071 |
| — | operating cash-flow change in accrued payroll expenses and liabilitiesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | $5,248 |
| — | operating cash-flow change in prepaid expensesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | -$89,079 |
| — | operating cash-flow change in sales tax payableMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing | -$22 |
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 and overlapping investment range. 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
Independent analysis of franchisor-provided data. Not investment advice. Franopolis does not distribute FDDs.