Dunkin' franchise
Dunkin' sells coffee, espresso drinks, donuts, bagels, muffins and breakfast sandwiches, with most of its sales in the morning and through the drive-thru. Franchisees can also run combination stores that pair Dunkin' with sister brand Baskin-Robbins. At the end of 2025 there were 8,780 Dunkin' locations in the US, 8,744 franchised and 36 company-owned.
- Cost to open
- $532K–$1.83M
- Franchise fee
- $40K–$90K
- Royalty
- 5.9%
- Locations, 2025
- 8,780+657 in 3 yrs
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Company snapshot
- Franchising since
- 1955
- Franchisor based in
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Time to open
- 8 to 15 months after signing
- Agreement length
- 20 years
- Financing
- None offered
From Dunkin' Donuts Franchising LLC’s 2026 filing.
How much a Dunkin' franchise costs
Opening a free-standing Dunkin' restaurant costs an estimated $532,400 to $1,832,500. That covers the franchise fee and everything else needed to open, through the first months of working capital.
Source: Dunkin' Donuts Franchising LLC, 2026 filing, page 53
Dunkin' franchise fee
The franchise fee is $40,000 to $90,000, depending on the development area type (lower for self-service and some non-traditional sites). You pay it when you sign the franchise agreement.
Source: Dunkin' Donuts Franchising LLC, 2026 filing, page 32
Royalty and ongoing fees
| Royalty | 5.9% of gross sales (the continuing franchise fee), paid weekly. |
|---|---|
| Brand or marketing fund | 5% of gross sales (2.5% at special distribution outlets), paid weekly. |
Source: Dunkin' Donuts Franchising LLC, 2026 filing, page 44
Sales and earnings
Shares figures Dunkin' publishes sales or earnings figures for its locations: 7,010 franchised restaurants in the reported group averaged $1,372,069 in 2025 sales (median $1,297,694). The full tables, with notes on which locations are counted, are in its filing.
Source: Dunkin' Donuts Franchising LLC, 2026 filing, page 95
Locations opened and closed
| Year | Franchised | Company-owned | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 8,265 (+178) | 32 | 166 |
| 2024 | 8,465 (+200) | 34 | 96 |
| 2025 | 8,744 (+279) | 36 | 81 |
Closed or left counts terminations, non-renewals, locations bought back by the franchisor and locations that stopped operating.
Source: Dunkin' Donuts Franchising LLC, 2026 filing, page 99
How Dunkin' compares
Of the 6 coffee franchises on this site, Dunkin' is the 3rd cheapest to open and the largest by number of locations.
| Measure | Dunkin' | Typical coffee |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to open, low end | $532K | $596K |
| Closed or left per year | 1.4% | 2.6% |
| Change in franchised locations, 3 yrs | +8.1% | +20.2% |
| Shares earnings figures | Yes | 5 of 6 |
Typical is the median across the 6 brands in coffee franchises.
Other coffee franchises
Dunkin' franchise questions
How long does it take to open a Dunkin'?
8 to 15 months after signing, according to Dunkin''s 2026 filing. Finding a site, permits and build-out are what usually stretch it.
Does Dunkin' help with financing?
No. Dunkin' does not offer financing or guarantee loans or leases, so buyers arrange their own, usually a bank or SBA loan.
How long is a Dunkin' franchise agreement?
The initial term is 20 years. Renewal is usually possible if you're in good standing, often for a fee and a remodel.
Is Dunkin' growing or shrinking?
Over the last 3 years 970 franchised locations opened and 343 closed or left, a net change of +8.1%. About 1.4% of locations closed or left each year. That is below the 2.6% typical for coffee franchises.
How does Dunkin' compare with other coffee franchises?
Of the 6 coffee franchises here, Dunkin' is the 3rd cheapest to open (low end $532K against a $596K median) and the largest by number of locations.
Does Dunkin' say how much franchisees make?
Yes: 7,010 franchised restaurants in the reported group averaged $1,372,069 in 2025 sales (median $1,297,694). Your results can differ; the filing explains which locations are counted.
Where is Dunkin' based?
Dunkin' Donuts Franchising LLC is based in Atlanta, Georgia and the brand has sold franchises since 1955.