Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Franchise: Cost, Fees & Earnings
368 locations (2021), +1.4% YoY(Item 20)
A Krispy Kreme Doughnuts franchise requires an estimated total investment of $2,015,000 to $4,330,000, including a $25,000 initial franchise fee (latest FDD, Item 7). Franchisees pay an ongoing royalty of 4.5% (Item 6). Krispy Kreme Doughnuts does not disclose unit-level earnings in Item 19 of its FDD.
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Initial Investment
$2,015,000 – $4,330,000
Source: FDD, Item 7
Franchise Fee
$25,000
Source: FDD, Item 5
Royalty
4.5%
Source: FDD, Item 6
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Franchise Key Facts
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Investment | $2,015,000 – $4,330,000Source: FDD, Item 7 | |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $25,000Source: FDD, Item 5 | |
| Royalty | 4.5%Source: FDD, Item 6 | |
| Median Revenue (AUV) | Krispy Kreme Doughnuts does not disclose unit-level earnings in Item 19 of its FDD.Source: Item 19 | |
| Total Locations | 368 (2021)Source: Item 20 |
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Franchise Fees
Initial franchise fee(Item 5)
$25,000
Ongoing royalty(Item 6)
4.5%
National ad / brand fund(Item 6)
2% up_to
Local marketing spend(Item 6)
2.5%
Technology fee(Item 6)
$1,800/mo
Buildout / construction(Item 7)
$1,040,000 – $2,860,000
Additional Item 5–6 fees (transfer, renewal, area development, and any veteran discounts) are not yet parsed on Franchable — see the brand's FDD for the full fee schedule.
About Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
Krispy Kreme is a doughnut and coffee shop franchise that operates retail locations selling fresh doughnuts, beverages, and related food products. The franchise offers two shop formats: Hot Light Theater Shops that manufacture doughnuts on-site, and Fresh Shops that receive doughnuts from Hot Light Theater Shops for finishing and retail sale.
What Krispy Kreme Doughnuts' FDD Discloses
In 2021, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts' franchised system recorded 2 franchised openings, 3 closures (Item 20).
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Explore all brands →AUV Trend — Multi-Year Median Revenue
Additional Item 19 Analysis
Deeper Item 19 Analysis (Charts 3–6)
Openings & Closings, Transfer Rates, Franchise vs Corporate Mix
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Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Franchise FAQ
How much does a Krispy Kreme Doughnuts franchise cost?
Per Item 7 of the latest Franchise Disclosure Document, the estimated initial investment ranges from $2,015,000 to $4,330,000.
What is the Krispy Kreme Doughnuts franchise fee?
The FDD reports an initial franchise fee of $25,000.
What royalty does Krispy Kreme Doughnuts charge?
The FDD reports an ongoing royalty of 4.5%.
How much does a Krispy Kreme Doughnuts franchise owner make?
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts does not disclose unit-level earnings in Item 19 of its FDD, so a reliable owner-income figure isn't available from its filing. Ask the franchisor for validation contacts and review the full FDD before relying on any earnings estimate.
Can I finance a Krispy Kreme Doughnuts 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 Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. This is not an offer to sell a franchise. Individual results vary.