How much does a Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar franchise cost?

The FDD lists a total initial investment of about $616,682–$5,822,933, including a $35,000 initial franchise fee.

Is a Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar franchise worth it?

It depends on the numbers, not the pitch. Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar scores C on disclosure honesty, carries about 8.25% of sales in ongoing fees, and discloses 8 legal matters. Get the real owner take-home before you sign.

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The real numbers on owning a Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar franchise

Quick Service / Casual Dining Restaurant · FDD 2026 · from public state filings

CDisclosure honesty

This franchisor discloses earnings (Item 19) — but read how.

★★★☆☆ FranchiseValidate transparency rating: 3/5

Investment

$616,682–$5,822,933

Total fees

8.25% of sales

Outlets

1,480

Closure signals

33 ceased, 0 terminated

Lawsuits

Is Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar worth it? How it compares to 60 similar franchises

Ongoing fees	8.25% of sales	about average
Startup cost	from $616,682	about average (median $564,600)
Disclosure honesty	Grade C	typical for the category
Closure rate	2.2% of outlets	worse than 61% of peers
Disclosed lawsuits	8	more litigious than 89% of peers

Benchmarked against every quick service restaurants franchise we've graded from public FDDs — the context the franchisor's pitch never gives you.

What their own earnings claim actually says

Disclosed historical gross sales for 1,351 traditional franchised restaurants by region for 12-month period ending 12/28/2025. Ranges $1.05M-$10.15M. No earnings/profitability data disclosed.

Failure & turnover reality (Item 20)

186 net closures 2023-2025; 33 ceased operations FY2025; significant recent transfers suggest ownership challenges.

Legal history (Item 3)

8 matters disclosed.

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Franchisor's framing: Disclosed historical gross sales for 1,351 traditional franchised restaurants by region for 12-…

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Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar franchise — frequently asked

How much does a Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar franchise cost?: The FDD lists a total initial investment of about $616,682–$5,822,933, including a $35,000 initial franchise fee.
How much do Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar franchise owners make?: Disclosed historical gross sales for 1,351 traditional franchised restaurants by region for 12-month period ending 12/28/2025. Ranges $1.05M-$10.15M. No earnings/profitability data disclosed. We grade this disclosure C for honesty.
What is the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar franchise failure rate?: 186 net closures 2023-2025; 33 ceased operations FY2025; significant recent transfers suggest ownership challenges.
Is a Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar franchise worth it?: It depends on the numbers, not the pitch. Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar scores C on disclosure honesty, carries about 8.25% of sales in ongoing fees, and discloses 8 legal matters. Get the real owner take-home before you sign.

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Compare Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar to similar franchises

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Source: WI DFI Franchise Registration (2026). FranchiseValidate is independent and not affiliated with Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar or its franchisor. Figures are extracted from the franchisor's own public disclosure document; verify against the current FDD before any decision.