How much does a DQ Grill & Chill franchise cost?

The FDD lists a total initial investment of about $1,510,100–$2,550,100, including a $45,000 initial franchise fee.

Is a DQ Grill & Chill franchise worth it?

It depends on the numbers, not the pitch. DQ Grill & Chill scores B on disclosure honesty, and discloses 6 legal matters. Get the real owner take-home before you sign.

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The real numbers on owning a DQ Grill & Chill franchise

DQ Grill & Chill · FDD 2026 · from public state filings

BDisclosure honesty

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

★★★★☆ FranchiseValidate transparency rating: 4/5

Investment

$1,510,100–$2,550,100

Total fees

—

Outlets

2,028

Closure signals

24 ceased, 24 terminated

Lawsuits

Is DQ Grill & Chill worth it? How it compares to 134 similar franchises

Startup cost	from $1,510,100	pricier than 92% of peers
Disclosure honesty	Grade B	more honest than 81% of other franchises franchises
Closure rate	1.2% of outlets	better than most (median 1.5%)
Disclosed lawsuits	6	more litigious than 86% of peers

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

What their own earnings claim actually says

Schedules A & B show sales data (2022-2025) and expense breakdowns for freestanding new DQ Grill & Chill restaurants. Excludes conversions, non-traditional sites, territory operators. Warning: No earnings guarantee; franchisees responsible for own projections.

Failure & turnover reality (Item 20)

2025: 24 terminations, 24 ceased operations, 48 excluded from sales reporting.

Legal history (Item 3)

6 matters disclosed.

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The franchisor won't put real owner profit in writing. We do — reconstructed from their own FDD.

Franchisor's framing: Schedules A & B show sales data (2022-2025) and expense breakdowns for freestanding new DQ Gril…

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Reconstructed owner P&L — net take-home after royalty, ad fund, rent, labor & debt
Break-even timeline + cash-on-cash ROI on your investment
Full fee stack + required-purchase markups
Decoded real failure / closure rate
How it ranks vs comparable franchises
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DQ Grill & Chill franchise — frequently asked

How much does a DQ Grill & Chill franchise cost?: The FDD lists a total initial investment of about $1,510,100–$2,550,100, including a $45,000 initial franchise fee.
How much do DQ Grill & Chill franchise owners make?: Schedules A & B show sales data (2022-2025) and expense breakdowns for freestanding new DQ Grill & Chill restaurants. Excludes conversions, non-traditional sites, territory operators. Warning: No earnings guarantee; franchisees responsible for own projections. We grade this disclosure B for honesty.
What is the DQ Grill & Chill franchise failure rate?: 2025: 24 terminations, 24 ceased operations, 48 excluded from sales reporting.
Is a DQ Grill & Chill franchise worth it?: It depends on the numbers, not the pitch. DQ Grill & Chill scores B on disclosure honesty, and discloses 6 legal matters. Get the real owner take-home before you sign.

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Compare DQ Grill & Chill to similar franchises

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