What is the total estimated initial investment range for a Dq Treat captive-venue location?
Dq_Treat Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| Type of Expenditure | Amount for Captive- Venue Location(1) P | Amount for Street Location(1) P | Method of Payment | When Due | To Whom Payment Is to Be Made(2) P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building, Construction and Leasehold Improvements(6) P | $235,000 - $470,000 | $390,000 - $870,000 | As Incurred | Prior to opening | Landlord, third party suppliers and contractors |
| Prepaid Rent and Security Deposit(7) P | $2,500 - $5,500 | $2,500 - $5,500 | Lump sum | Prior to opening | Landlord |
| Construction Consultation Services(8) P | $0 - $5,000 | $0 - $7,500 | Lump sum | Prior to consultation | ADQ |
| Building Plans, Design Intent Plans and Architectural Seal(9) P P | $7,000 - $20,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | Lump sum | As incurred | ADQ or third party suppliers |
| Equipment (includes signs and point-of-sale systems)(10) P | $220,000 - $360,000 | $360,000 - $420,000 | Lump sum, or down payment with balance financed | Usually upon placement of order | Third party suppliers |
| Training Inventory(11) P | $3,000 - $6,000 | $4,000 - $8,000 | Lump sum | Prior to opening | Third party suppliers |
| Opening | $6,000 - $10,000 | $6,000 - $15,000 | Lump sum | Prior to | Third party |
| Inventory | opening | suppliers | |||
| Utility Deposits, Business Licenses and Government Charges(12) P | $3,000 - $7,500 | $3,000 - $15,000 | Lump sum | Prior to opening | Third party suppliers; local municipality |
| Attorneys’ | $1,000 - $8,000 | $1,000 - $8,000 | Lump sum | As incurred | Attorney |
| Fees(13) | |||||
| P | |||||
| Additional Funds - 3 Months(14) P P | $41,000 - $115,000 | $41,000 - $155,000 | As incurred | Prior to opening and as incurred | ADQ and its affiliates; employees; or third party suppliers |
| TOTAL(15) (16) | $549,100. - $1,057,700. | $848,450 - $1,604,700 | |||
| P PP | 00 00 |
Source: Item 7 — Estimated Initial Investment (FDD pages 24–29)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Dq Treat's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the estimated total initial investment for a captive-venue location ranges from $549,100 to $1,057,700. This investment encompasses various expenses, such as the initial franchise fee, training fees and costs, travel and living expenses for training, building construction and leasehold improvements, prepaid rent and security deposits, construction consultation services, building plans and architectural seals, equipment (including signs and point-of-sale systems), training inventory, opening inventory, utility deposits and business licenses, attorney's fees, and additional funds for the first three months of operation.
The FDD provides a detailed breakdown of these costs. For instance, the initial franchise fee is $25,000, while initial training fees and costs range from $400 to $8,400. Building, construction, and leasehold improvements can cost between $235,000 and $470,000. Equipment costs are estimated to be between $220,000 and $360,000. These figures exclude the cost of land, as Dq Treat captive-venue locations are typically leased spaces within larger structures.
Prospective franchisees should note that these are estimates based on nationwide averages and market conditions at the time of the FDD's publication. Actual costs can vary significantly due to factors like local market conditions, labor costs, and the specific characteristics of the leased space. Dq Treat advises franchisees to carefully review these estimates with a business advisor, considering potential inflation, discretionary expenditures, and fluctuating interest rates. Furthermore, lending institutions typically require a 20% equity position on leasehold improvements and potentially 25% on equipment, which franchisees must factor into their initial cash position.
Conversion franchisees, or those converting an existing facility from another restaurant brand, may not incur all of the listed expenses. However, conversion costs can also vary widely depending on the facility's condition and any necessary upgrades. Franchisees should also be aware that fees paid to Dq Treat are generally nonrefundable, while the refundability of payments to third-party lessors, contractors, and suppliers is determined by those parties.