--- title: "Muscle Maker Grill Franchise: Cost, FDD Analysis & Review" description: "Explore the Muscle Maker Grill franchise. Investment: $188K-$454K. 21 locations. Grade: b. Financial performance disclosed. Bar, Pub & Grill." url: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/muscle-maker-grill" canonical: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/muscle-maker-grill" markdown_url: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/muscle-maker-grill.md" type: "FranchiseBrand" brand: "Muscle Maker Grill" sector: "Fast Food & Fast Casual Restaurants" category: "Salads, Bowls & Healthy Concepts" investment_low: "187500" investment_high: "454000" total_units: "48" grade: "B" operating_model: "Owner-Operator | Multi-Unit | Semi-Absentee" --- # Muscle Maker Grill Franchise: Cost, FDD Analysis & Review Explore the Muscle Maker Grill franchise. Investment: $188K-$454K. 21 locations. Grade: b. Financial performance disclosed. Bar, Pub & Grill. ## At a glance - **Brand:** Muscle Maker Grill - **Sector:** Fast Food & Fast Casual Restaurants - **Category:** Salads, Bowls & Healthy Concepts - **Total initial investment:** $187,500 – $454,000 - **Total units (FDD Item 20):** 48 - **FranchiseGrade grade:** B - **Operating model:** Owner-Operator | Multi-Unit | Semi-Absentee - **States with locations:** AZ, CA, CT, FL, IL, NE, NV, NJ, NY, NC, PA, TX ## Muscle Maker Grill — franchise facts ### What is the total initial investment required to open a Muscle Maker Grill franchise? Total investment ranges from $187,500 to $454,000, covering franchise fee, buildout, equipment, initial inventory, and working capital. This range reflects restaurant-scale operations with varying market conditions and location requirements across the brand's footprint. ### What is the initial franchise fee for Muscle Maker Grill, and what does it cover? The franchise fee is $35,000, providing access to brand systems, operational playbooks, training programs, and ongoing support. This fee is reasonable within the full-service restaurant category and covers initial onboarding. ### What ongoing fees, royalties, or required contributions do Muscle Maker Grill franchisees pay? Franchisees pay 5% royalty on gross revenue plus 1% ad fund contribution and 2% local marketing spend. Technology fees of $449 support point-of-sale and operational systems, totaling approximately 8% ongoing costs. ### What financial requirements must candidates meet to qualify for a Muscle Maker Grill franchise? Franchisees typically need $75,000-$150,000 in liquid capital plus ability to secure financing for total investment. Most operators require restaurant experience or strong management background to qualify for franchise approval. ### Are financing options or third-party funding programs available for Muscle Maker Grill franchisees? The franchisor discloses financial performance representations (FPR), enabling franchisees to approach SBA-approved lenders and traditional banks with confidence. Many franchisees utilize SBA loans, equipment financing, and personal investment combinations. ### What initial training does Muscle Maker Grill provide to new franchise owners? Comprehensive 190-hour training program includes 44 classroom hours and 146 on-the-job hours covering operations, menu execution, staff training, and financial management. Training is conducted at corporate headquarters and existing locations before grand opening. ### What ongoing support and resources does Muscle Maker Grill offer after opening? The franchise provides continuous operational support, menu development assistance, marketing resources, technology updates, and field visits. Regional support teams help troubleshoot challenges and implement system improvements across the franchise network. ### Does Muscle Maker Grill assist with real estate and site selection for new locations? The franchisor provides guidance on location selection within your protected territory, focusing on high-traffic areas with fitness-oriented demographics. Established site selection criteria help identify neighborhoods with strong health-conscious customer bases. ### What does the day-to-day role of a franchise owner look like with Muscle Maker Grill? Owner-operators manage staff scheduling, kitchen operations, customer service, and financial reporting with regular involvement in daily activities. Delegating management tasks allows some operational leverage as the business matures and systems strengthen. ### Can Muscle Maker Grill be operated as an owner-operator or semi-absentee franchise? While semi-absentee models are possible with strong general managers, full-service restaurant success typically requires significant owner involvement in early years. Established locations with proven staff may operate with less hands-on ownership, but financial performance improves with active ownership. ### What type of lifestyle and time commitment should owners expect with Muscle Maker Grill? This model suits entrepreneurial individuals who enjoy restaurant operations, community engagement, and fitness-lifestyle alignment. Expect 50-60-hour weeks initially, with potential for improved work-life balance as operations stabilize and delegate. ### What territories or markets are currently available for Muscle Maker Grill franchise ownership? Protected territories are assigned, preventing nearby franchise competition within defined geographic boundaries. Current presence in 12 states with 21 total units indicates selective growth approach and available territory expansion. ### Does Muscle Maker Grill offer multi-unit ownership or expansion opportunities? Qualified franchisees can develop multiple locations within their territory or expand into adjacent markets. The brand supports multi-unit operators who demonstrate strong execution and sufficient capital for growth. ### Are area development or master franchise opportunities available with Muscle Maker Grill? Area development agreements allow experienced operators to develop 2-5 units over defined timeframes within specific regions. This path accelerates growth for serious multi-unit entrepreneurs with restaurant experience and investment capacity. ### How does Muscle Maker Grill approach unit-level profitability and financial performance? Disclosed FPR provides transparent financial performance data from existing locations. Full-service restaurants typically achieve 10-15% EBITDA margins with 2-3 year payback timelines depending on execution and market conditions. ### What sets Muscle Maker Grill apart from competitors in its market segment? Muscle Maker Grill differentiates through niche focus on high-protein, health-conscious dining versus traditional grills and casual restaurants. The protected territory model and comprehensive training systems create competitive advantages in market execution and brand consistency. ## Research this brand - Full profile: https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/muscle-maker-grill - 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/muscle-maker-grill* *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*