--- title: "HonesT Franchise: Cost, FDD Analysis & Review" description: "Explore the HonesT franchise. Investment: $1.5M-$2.3M. 40 locations. Grade: b. Asian, Mediterranean & Global Cuisine." url: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/honest" canonical: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/honest" markdown_url: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/honest.md" type: "FranchiseBrand" brand: "HonesT" sector: "Fast Food & Fast Casual Restaurants" category: "Asian, Mediterranean & Global Cuisine" investment_low: "1507000" investment_high: "2334000" total_units: "36" grade: "B" operating_model: "Owner-Operator | Multi-Unit | Semi-Absentee" --- # HonesT Franchise: Cost, FDD Analysis & Review Explore the HonesT franchise. Investment: $1.5M-$2.3M. 40 locations. Grade: b. Asian, Mediterranean & Global Cuisine. ## At a glance - **Brand:** HonesT - **Sector:** Fast Food & Fast Casual Restaurants - **Category:** Asian, Mediterranean & Global Cuisine - **Total initial investment:** $1,507,000 – $2,334,000 - **Total units (FDD Item 20):** 36 - **FranchiseGrade grade:** B - **Operating model:** Owner-Operator | Multi-Unit | Semi-Absentee - **States with locations:** CA, DE, FL, GA, IL, MD, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TX, VA, WA ## HonesT — franchise facts ### What is the total initial investment required to open a HonesT franchise? Total investment ranges from $1,507,000 to $2,334,000, covering buildout, equipment, initial inventory, and working capital. This positions the concept as a full-service fast casual restaurant requiring substantial real estate and build-out investment. ### What is the initial franchise fee for HonesT, and what does it cover? The franchise fee is $25,000, a relatively modest entry point for the fast casual restaurant category. This fee grants access to the proprietary brand, operating systems, and initial territory establishment. ### What ongoing fees, royalties, or required contributions do HonesT franchisees pay? Franchisees pay a 5.5% royalty on gross revenue and contribute 1% toward local marketing initiatives. Combined ongoing fees of 6.5% are reasonable for the fast casual segment and provide continued support and marketing resources. ### What financial requirements must candidates meet to qualify for a HonesT franchise? Prospective franchisees should demonstrate liquid capital and net worth aligned with the $1.5M to $2.3M investment range. Strong financial profiles, credit history, and restaurant industry experience strengthen franchise approval likelihood. ### Are financing options or third-party funding programs available for HonesT franchisees? The FDD does not specify preferred financing partners or SBA lending arrangements. Franchisees are encouraged to consult with commercial lenders and franchisee-focused financing specialists regarding loan eligibility. ### What initial training does HonesT provide to new franchise owners? The brand provides 126 hours of comprehensive training comprising 60 classroom hours and 66 on-the-job hours. Training covers menu execution, operational procedures, customer service standards, and management practices to ensure consistent quality. ### What ongoing support and resources does HonesT offer after opening? Support includes operational guidance, supplier relationship management, marketing resources, and system updates throughout the franchise term. Established franchisee network and field support staff provide ongoing assistance with performance optimization. ### Does HonesT assist with real estate and site selection for new locations? The brand provides guidance on site selection criteria and market evaluation. Franchisees maintain responsibility for securing real estate, though the franchisor offers consultation on location viability within protected territories. ### What does the day-to-day role of a franchise owner look like with HonesT? Owner-operators typically oversee staff management, quality control, customer relations, and financial performance. Day-to-day involvement includes scheduling, inventory management, and ensuring operational adherence to brand standards. ### Can HonesT be operated as an owner-operator or semi-absentee franchise? The concept supports owner-operator models with active management involvement. Semi-absentee arrangements are possible with competent general manager oversight, though the franchisor emphasizes owner presence during launch phases. ### What type of lifestyle and time commitment should owners expect with HonesT? This represents a substantial lifestyle commitment typical of restaurant ownership. Success requires willingness to work opening and closing hours initially, manage seasonal variations, and handle customer-facing operations alongside administrative duties. ### What territories or markets are currently available for HonesT franchise ownership? The brand operates 40 franchised units across 18 states with protected territorial rights. Availability varies by state and market maturity; prospects should inquire about specific geographic opportunities. ### Does HonesT offer multi-unit ownership or expansion opportunities? The franchise model supports multi-unit development for qualified candidates. Existing franchisees with strong operational track records and financial capacity may pursue additional protected territories. ### Are area development or master franchise opportunities available with HonesT? Area development agreements enable qualified operators to develop multiple units within defined territories. Specific terms and financial requirements for area development should be discussed directly with the franchisor. ### How does HonesT approach unit-level profitability and financial performance? Unit-level economics depend on execution, labor costs, and local market penetration. The 5.5% royalty rate and 1% marketing contribution allow reasonable gross margin retention for operational sustainability. ### What sets HonesT apart from competitors in its market segment? The brand differentiates through global cuisine variety and culinary focus within the fast casual space. Protected territories reduce competition and enable focused marketing, while the comprehensive training system ensures consistent quality execution. ## Research this brand - Full profile: https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/honest - Compare it side by side: https://www.franchisegrade.com/compare - Check affordability against your capital: https://www.franchisegrade.com/affordability-calculator - Franchise terms used above: https://www.franchisegrade.com/tools/franchise-glossary --- *Source: [FranchiseGrade](https://www.franchisegrade.com) — independent, FDD-derived franchise research.* *Cite this page as: https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/honest* *Training, indexing and quotation are permitted — please attribute and link to the source URL above. Full-text reproduction of the whole page is not. Licensing: privacy@franchisegrade.com*