Taco Bell Franchise: Cost, Fees & Earnings
7,998 locations (2025), +1.9% YoY(Item 20)
A Taco Bell franchise requires an estimated total investment of $934,750 to $4,312,200, including a $25,000 initial franchise fee (2026 FDD, Item 7). Franchisees pay an ongoing royalty of 5.5% (Item 6). The 2026 FDD reports a median unit revenue of $2,304,197 for FY2025 (Item 19).
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Median Revenue (AUV)
$2,304,197
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 19
Initial Investment
$934,750 – $4,312,200
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7
Franchise Fee
$25,000
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 5
Royalty
5.5%
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 6
Taco Bell Franchise Key Facts
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Investment | $934,750 – $4,312,200Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7 | |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $25,000 – $45,000Source: 2026 FDD, Item 5 | |
| Royalty | 5.5%Source: 2026 FDD, Item 6 | |
| Median Revenue (AUV) | $2,304,197Source: 2026 FDD, Item 19 | |
| Total Locations | 7,998 (2025)Source: Item 20 |
Taco Bell Franchise Fees
Initial franchise fee(Item 5)
$25,000 – $45,000
Ongoing royalty(Item 6)
5.5%
National ad / brand fund(Item 6)
4.25%
Technology fee(Item 6)
$750
Buildout / construction(Item 7)
$1,000,000 – $2,000,000
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 Taco Bell
Taco Bell is a quick-service restaurant franchise offering inexpensively priced, quality Mexican-style food for take-out and on-premises dining. The franchise operates various facility types including traditional free-standing units, in-line locations, and smaller Taco Bell Express units, all presenting a variety of Mexican-inspired menu items to the general public.
What Taco Bell's FDD Discloses
In 2025, Taco Bell's franchised system recorded 168 franchised openings, 30 closures (Item 20).
Gross Sales by Performance TierSource: 2026 FDD Item 19
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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
Taco Bell vs Competitors
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Taco Bell Franchise FAQ
How much does a Taco Bell franchise cost?
Per Item 7 of the 2026 FDD Franchise Disclosure Document, the estimated initial investment ranges from $934,750 to $4,312,200.
What is the Taco Bell franchise fee?
The FDD reports an initial franchise fee of $25,000 to $45,000.
What royalty does Taco Bell charge?
The FDD reports an ongoing royalty of 5.5%.
How much revenue does a Taco Bell franchise generate?
The 2026 FDD reports a median revenue per unit of $2,304,197 for fiscal year 2025. Individual results vary.
How much does a Taco Bell franchise owner make?
Taco Bell disclosed median unit revenue of $2,304,197 in FY2025 (Item 19). It does not disclose unit-level profit, so a reliable owner-income figure can't be drawn from its FDD. Individual results vary.
Can I finance a Taco Bell 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 Taco Bell. This is not an offer to sell a franchise. Individual results vary.