Denny's Franchise: Cost, Fees & Earnings
1,274 locations (2025), -4.5% YoY(Item 20)
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Median Revenue (AUV)
$1,829,472
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 19
Initial Investment
$245,000 – $3,055,925
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7
Franchise Fee
$10,000
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 5
Royalty
4.5% of revenue (4.5%) / 7% of revenue (7%)
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 6
Gross Sales by Performance TierSource: 2026 FDD Item 19
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Additional Item 19 Analysis
Deeper Item 19 Analysis (Charts 3–6)
Openings & Closings, Transfer Rates, Franchise vs Corporate Mix
Denny's vs Competitors
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Denny's Franchise FAQ
How much does a Denny's franchise cost?
Per Item 7 of the 2026 FDD Franchise Disclosure Document, the estimated initial investment ranges from $245,000 to $3,055,925.
What is the Denny's franchise fee?
The FDD reports an initial franchise fee of $10,000 to $30,000.
What royalty does Denny's charge?
The FDD reports an ongoing royalty of 4.5% of revenue (4.5%) / 7% of revenue (7%).
How much revenue does a Denny's franchise generate?
The 2026 FDD reports a median revenue per unit of $1,829,472 for fiscal year 2025. Individual results vary.
Can I finance a Denny's franchise with an SBA loan?
Many franchise purchases are financed with SBA 7(a) loans covering a large share of the total project cost. You can check what you'd qualify for with Franchable's free SBA prequalification.
Data sourced from the brand's Franchise Disclosure Document. Franchable is not affiliated with or endorsed by Denny's. This is not an offer to sell a franchise. Individual results vary.