How much does it cost to open a Great Harvest franchise?

The total initial investment for a Great Harvest franchise ranges from $298,145 to $979,639. This includes the franchise fee of $35,000, buildout costs, equipment, and initial working capital.

What are the ongoing fees for a Great Harvest franchise?

Great Harvest franchisees pay a 5.0% royalty fee and a 2.5% advertising/marketing fund contribution. These are typically calculated as a percentage of gross revenue.

How much money can you make with a Great Harvest franchise?

Based on Item 19 financial performance data, the median Great Harvest franchise generates $1,582,815 in annual revenue. Estimated owner profit is approximately $197,852.

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Great Harvest Franchise Cost Breakdown

Complete investment analysis based on official FDD data

Total Investment

$298,145 – $979,639

Franchise Fee

$35,000

Royalty Rate

5.0%

Initial Investment Range

Low: $298,145 High: $979,639

The total initial investment to open a Great Harvest franchise ranges from $298,145 to $979,639, as disclosed in their Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the one-time franchise fee of $35,000.

Midpoint estimate: $638,892

Franchise Fee

$35,000

One-time initial fee

The Great Harvest franchise fee is a one-time upfront payment made to the franchisor when you sign the franchise agreement. This fee grants you the right to operate under the Great Harvest brand and is included in the total initial investment range above.

Ongoing Fees

Royalty Fee

5.0%

of gross revenue

Ad/Marketing Fund

2.5%

of gross revenue

Total Ongoing Fee Burden: 7.5% of gross revenue

Combined royalty and advertising fund contributions before any other fees.

Other Ongoing Fees

Fee Type	Rate	Type	Notes
Royalty	5.0	PCT	Payable weekly, Tuesday for prior calendar week. See footnote 1 for Gross Sales definition.
Required Minimum Expenditure for Local Marketing and Advertising	1.0	PCT	Monthly. Payable to third parties. All advertising must be pre-approved by franchisor. If minimums are not met, franchisor may collect amounts and (i) conduct local advertising on your behalf (charging a $1,000 administrative fee) or (ii) deposit into the Brand Fund.
Administrative Fee to Implement your Local Advertising	1000.0	USD	Payable to franchisor if they conduct local advertising on your behalf due to unspent minimums.
Brand Fund Contribution	2.5	PCT	Payable weekly, Tuesday for prior calendar week. Paid directly to the Brand Fund. See footnote 2.
Advertising Cooperative	N/A	USD	As determined by cooperative. No cooperatives established as of FDD date. Mandatory to join if formed.
Late Charge	200.0	USD	If you fail to pay any amount when due, or fail to submit Gross Sales report when due.
Interest Charge	12.0	PCT	12% of overdue amount or the maximum permitted by law, whichever is lower. As incurred.
Insufficient Funds Fee	50.0	USD	As incurred. If check is returned or electronic funds transfer denied for non-sufficient funds.
Relocation Fee	5000.0	USD	Due if franchisor approves request to relocate Great Harvest outlet.
Successor Term Fee	7500.0	USD	Payable to franchisor. See Item 17.
Transfer Fee – Franchise Agreement	75.0	PCT	Upon request for approval of transfer. Reduced to 50% for existing franchisee in good standing, $1,500 for entity owned/controlled by franchisee not changing management, or $3,500 for spouse/parent/child upon death/permanent disability.
Initial Training	2500.0	USD	Fees for training additional personnel are due prior to commencement of training. Franchisee pays travel costs.
Additional Training - Courses	500.0	USD	As incurred. Subject to increase to no more than actual charge by third-party provider. Franchisee pays travel and related expenses.
Additional Training – Franchisee Convention or Business Meeting	1000.0	USD	As incurred. Subject to increase to no more than actual charge by third-party convention provider. Franchisee pays travel and related expenses.
Remedial Training Fee	500.0	USD	As incurred. Our then-current per diem rate for each trainer, plus travel and other expenses. Imposed if franchisee requests additional training or operates below standards and is required to have additional training.
Interim Management Support Fee	500.0	USD	As incurred. Plus our representative(s)’ wages, travel and living expenses. Imposed if franchisor provides management of your Franchised Business.
Architect’s Review Fee	2500.0	USD	If you choose to use your own architect, we may charge a fee for our architect to review your plans.
Contractor Management Services	2500.0	USD	If you choose to use your own contractor, we may charge a fee for our preferred contractor to inspect work.
System Technology Fee	N/A	USD	Monthly. To offset cost of new or improved technology for the benefit of the System.
Examination of Books and Records	N/A	USD	As incurred. If examination reveals understatement of Gross Sales by 2% or more, you pay audit cost, travel, and interest.
Operational Standards Violation Fee	50.0	USD	Ranges from $50 to $500 per occurrence. Payable to franchisor.
Evaluation Fee of Unapproved Item or Supplier	N/A	USD	As incurred. Payable to franchisor.
Quality Review Services - Inspections	700.0	USD	As incurred. Payable to third-party providers for Back of House (kitchen) inspection. Up to twice per year, or more if quality control issues are found.
Quality Review Services – Mystery Shoppers	250.0	USD	As incurred. Payable to third-party providers for customer service evaluations.
Insurance Reimbursement	N/A	USD	As incurred. You must reimburse us for costs incurred due to your failure to meet insurance obligations.
Liquidated Damages – Default and Termination of Franchise	N/A	USD	Upon termination of the Franchise Agreement due to your default, in a lump sum. Calculated as average monthly Royalty Fee and Brand Fund Contribution for the 12 months prior to default, multiplied by the lesser of 24 months or remaining term months.
Liquidated Damages – Breach of Confidentiality or Non-Competition Covenant	100000.0	USD	$100,000, plus our attorney’s fees.
Indemnification	N/A	USD	As incurred. See footnote 6.
Reimbursement of fees and expenses	N/A	USD	As Incurred. Payable to franchisor.
Taxes	N/A	USD	When incurred. You must reimburse us for any taxes we must pay to any taxing authority on account of your Franchised Business or payments you make to us.

What You Get

Financial Performance (Item 19)

Median Revenue

$1,582,815

per year, per location

Mean Revenue

$948,105

per year, per location

Profitability Estimate

Estimated Owner Profit

$197,852

per year

Profit Margin

12.5%

of revenue

Estimation method: benchmark

Estimated ROI (Simple Payback): 3.2 years

Based on midpoint investment of $638,892 and estimated annual owner profit of $197,852.

Unit Growth & Failure Rate

Avg. Annual Closure Rate

3.1%

Moderate risk — near industry average

Net Unit Growth

-16 units

From 2022 to 2024

Unit Activity History

Year	Start	Opened	Closed	Transfers	End
2022	175	—	-6	—	169
2023	169	—	-9	—	160
2024	160	—	-1	—	159

Is a Great Harvest Franchise Worth It?

Based on the FDD data, here is a data-driven snapshot of the Great Harvest franchise opportunity:

Overall Score

60/100

Moderate opportunity

Est. Payback Period

3.2 yrs

Average payback

Risk Level

Medium

3.1% annual closure rate

Great Harvest shows a moderate score across our evaluation criteria. Careful due diligence is recommended. With median unit revenue of $1,582,815 and a combined fee burden of 7.5% of gross revenue, prospective franchisees should model their own financial projections carefully. For a complete analysis including risk factors, deal-breaker flags, and detailed financial modeling, see the full report.