Create an account to access more data and download FDDs.
For more information see our plans here.

Sign up
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Upgrade to Pro to access unlimited data and FDDs. For more information see our plans here.

Upgrade to Pro

Baja Fresh Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)

Baja Fresh is a fast-casual restaurant franchise that serves Mexican-inspired dishes, including burritos, tacos, and salads, offering fresh and flavorful options made with high-quality ingredients and bold flavors.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

Franchisees

?

67
+
-13%
-13%
Franchise fee

?

$30,000
Investment

?

$225,000 - $1,012,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed

$873,000

+
15.9%
15.9%
Upgrade

Founded in 1990, Baja Fresh has built a reputation as a standout franchise in the fast-casual dining industry, known for its steadfast dedication to delivering fresh and high-quality Mexican food.

Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, and managed by MTY Franchising USA, Inc., Baja Fresh has made a notable mark in the market with its fresh twist on traditional Mexican cuisine.

The franchise offers a diverse menu featuring Mexican favorites such as burritos, tacos, and salads, along with a variety of signature dishes that cater to a broad audience looking for healthier dining options.

Baja Fresh started franchising in 1998, offering investors the chance to join the growing fast-casual restaurant sector. Highlighting the increasing popularity of Mexican food in the United States, Baja Fresh has positioned itself as a leading provider of fresh, top-notch Mexican meals.

Initial investment

The initial investment required for a Baja Fresh franchise is $225,000 - $1,012,000. That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Baja Fresh offers 2 types of franchises:

Type of Expenditure Amount
Traditional Baja Fresh® Restaurant Initial Investment $428,560 to $1,012,290
Single Baja Fresh® Non-Traditional Restaurant Initial Investment $224,950 to $777,200

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Traditional  Baja Fresh restaurant franchise.

For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).

Baja Fresh Traditional Restaurant

Type of Expenditure Amount
Architect; Engineer; Drawings $15,750 – $25,000
Permits $5,000 – $32,000
Leasehold / Construction (Base building, Interior Improvements, Lighting, Tile, Millwork, Seat Fee Assessment) $187,000 – $418,500
Signage $10,500 – $17,000
POS System $11,000 – $20,000
Computer System $800 – $1,200
Kitchen Equipment; Smallwares; Furniture $100,000 – $318,500
Inventory; Uniforms $4,000 – $8,000
Advertising $2,500 – $10,000
Pre-opening Training Expenses $11,610 – $21,090
Lease & Security Deposits $10,000 – $15,000
Insurance - Liability & Workers Compensation (Initial Deposit) $2,000 – $4,000
Legal Fees $1,000 – $3,000
Initial Franchise Fee $12,000 – $30,000
Depository Account $3,000
Lease Review Fee $0 – $2,500
Grand Opening Marketing $10,000
Additional Funds (3 Months) $42,400 – $73,500
Grand Total $428,560 – $1,012,290

Create a free account to access this table and more.
For more information see our plans here.

Sign up
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Baja Fresh offers 2 types of franchises:

Type of Expenditure Amount
Traditional Baja Fresh® Restaurant Initial Investment $428,560 to $1,012,290
Single Baja Fresh® Non-Traditional Restaurant Initial Investment $224,950 to $777,200

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Traditional  Baja Fresh restaurant franchise.

For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).

Baja Fresh Traditional Restaurant

Type of Expenditure Amount
Architect; Engineer; Drawings $15,750 – $25,000
Permits $5,000 – $32,000
Leasehold / Construction (Base building, Interior Improvements, Lighting, Tile, Millwork, Seat Fee Assessment) $187,000 – $418,500
Signage $10,500 – $17,000
POS System $11,000 – $20,000
Computer System $800 – $1,200
Kitchen Equipment; Smallwares; Furniture $100,000 – $318,500
Inventory; Uniforms $4,000 – $8,000
Advertising $2,500 – $10,000
Pre-opening Training Expenses $11,610 – $21,090
Lease & Security Deposits $10,000 – $15,000
Insurance - Liability & Workers Compensation (Initial Deposit) $2,000 – $4,000
Legal Fees $1,000 – $3,000
Initial Franchise Fee $12,000 – $30,000
Depository Account $3,000
Lease Review Fee $0 – $2,500
Grand Opening Marketing $10,000
Additional Funds (3 Months) $42,400 – $73,500
Grand Total $428,560 – $1,012,290

Franchise Disclosure Document

Below is Baja Fresh's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.

Number of units

Baja Fresh had 73 total units in 2025, of which 67 were franchised-owned and 6 company-owned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Competitors

Below are some of

Baja Fresh

key competitors in the

Mexican

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Royalty fee
Total investment
Revenue
Upgrade
EBITDA
Upgrade

67

New
+
-13%
-13%

5.00%

$225,000

-

$1,012,000

$873,000

n.a.

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Training 

The franchisor offers an extensive training program for franchisees, which includes "In-Store Training" and "New Owner Training."

In-Store Training: This segment includes around 240 hours of practical training, where participants learn the operational aspects of running the franchise. It covers essential elements of day-to-day operations such as food preparation, customer service, and store management.

New Owner Training: This part consists of approximately 40 hours, focusing on the core principles of managing the franchise. Depending on the franchisor's preference, this training can be conducted online or in person. In-person training typically takes place at the franchisor's training and education center in Scottsdale, Arizona, or at another specified location.

Franchisees are responsible for covering all costs related to transportation, food, lodging, and other personal expenses during the training. The program is mandatory for up to two individuals involved with the franchise, with at least one having an ownership interest.

Additionally, the franchisor may require franchisees and their managers to participate in extra training sessions if the business does not meet the franchisor's system standards.

Territory Protection

The Baja Fresh Franchise Disclosure Document specifies that even if a franchise agreement includes a designated territory for the franchisee, the franchisor retains the right to compete within that area. This means the franchisor can open its own outlets or grant franchises to other individuals within the existing franchisee's territory.

While there might be some level of territorial consideration, it does not offer absolute protection from competition by the franchisor within that designated territory.

Competitors

Below are some of Baja Fresh's key competitors in the Mexican sector.

Taco Rico or Taco Works

Franchisees

?

3
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$155,000 - $341,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

Mike's Red Tacos

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$640,000 - $1,988,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

Mucho Burrito

Franchisees

?

1
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$470,000 - $925,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

District Taco

Franchisees

?

2
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$734,000 - $1,458,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

Chronic Tacos

Franchisees

?

29
+
-36%
-36%
Investment

?

$284,000 - $884,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

Taco Cabana

Franchisees

?

6
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$1,267,000 - $2,776,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

All the data you need

We're the leading database for franchise professionals

For
Franchisees
Franchisors
Investors
Franchise Consultants

Unlimited FDD access

Access our library of 5,000+ Franchise Disclosure Documents, updated every day.

Read unlimited FDDs
Download unlimited FDDs

Transparent franchise data

Analyze financial data on 2,500+ franchise brands, without diving into FDDs. Revenue, profits, growth and more.

Franchise fees
Detailed initial investment

?

Revenue
Operating Profit (EBITDA)
Sector Revenue
Sector Operating Profit

Our plans

Create a free account, or upgrade to Pro

Free
For anyone looking into franchises.
Sign up
Franchise fees

?

Franchise units & growth

?

Detailed investment costs

?

Pay $49 per FDD download

?

Free Expert consultation

?

Pro
$199 / year
Unlimited franchise data.
For franchisees, investors and more.
You're on the Free plan 🎉
Complete your upgrade now
Upgrade to Pro
Everything in Free, plus:
Read unlimited FDDs
Download unlimited FDDs
Revenue (AUV)

?

Profit margins

?

Dedicated Franchise Expert

?

Industry benchmarks

?