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Blimpie Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Blimpie is a sandwich shop franchise known as “America’s Sub Shop,” offering handcrafted subs, salads, and wraps in traditional and express formats, supported by established brand recognition and operational guidance.

Blimpie is a classic American submarine sandwich franchise.
Founded in 1964, in Hoboken, New Jersey, Blimpie gained recognition for its oversized, freshly sliced subs made to order. The name "Blimpie" was inspired by the founders’ belief that their large sandwiches resembled blimps more than submarines or hoagies.

The franchisor is Kahala Franchising, L.L.C., headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Blimpie began franchising in 1970. The brand rapidly expanded, with most locations now owned and operated by individual franchisees. The franchisor supports its network with training, branding, and operational systems.

Blimpie serves submarine sandwiches, panini, salads, and sides.
All products are made from fresh-sliced deli meats, cheeses, and vegetables. The franchise operates in both traditional locations and non-traditional sites such as convenience stores, hospitals, and stadium kiosks.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Blimpie offers 2 types of franchises:

Franchise Option Initial Investment
Traditional Blimpie Restaurant $254,070 to $588,750
Non-Traditional Blimpie Restaurant $89,780 to $375,800

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a traditional Blimpie restaurant.

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

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $9,520 – $18,000
Rent/Security Deposit (for three months) $3,000 – $15,000
Travel and Living Expenses (2 persons) while training $3,000 – $7,500
Lease Review Fee $0 – $2,500
Architectural Fees $10,000 – $20,000
Construction Costs / Leasehold Improvements $100,000 – $311,850
Restaurant Equipment, Furniture, Small Wares, Menu Boards and Interior Signage $79,800 – $128,100
Exterior Signage $8,000 – $17,000
Computer Hardware, Software (POS System) $3,000 – $5,000
PCI Compliance Costs $0 – $1,300
Opening Inventory (food and paper) $4,000 – $6,000
Grand Opening Marketing Fee $10,000
Business Insurance $1,000 – $5,000
Miscellaneous Opening Costs $4,750 – $18,500
Depository Account $3,000
Additional Funds – 3 month initial period $15,000 – $20,000
Total $254,070 – $588,750

Blimpie offers 2 types of franchises:

Franchise Option Initial Investment
Traditional Blimpie Restaurant $254,070 to $588,750
Non-Traditional Blimpie Restaurant $89,780 to $375,800

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a traditional Blimpie restaurant.

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

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $9,520 – $18,000
Rent/Security Deposit (for three months) $3,000 – $15,000
Travel and Living Expenses (2 persons) while training $3,000 – $7,500
Lease Review Fee $0 – $2,500
Architectural Fees $10,000 – $20,000
Construction Costs / Leasehold Improvements $100,000 – $311,850
Restaurant Equipment, Furniture, Small Wares, Menu Boards and Interior Signage $79,800 – $128,100
Exterior Signage $8,000 – $17,000
Computer Hardware, Software (POS System) $3,000 – $5,000
PCI Compliance Costs $0 – $1,300
Opening Inventory (food and paper) $4,000 – $6,000
Grand Opening Marketing Fee $10,000
Business Insurance $1,000 – $5,000
Miscellaneous Opening Costs $4,750 – $18,500
Depository Account $3,000
Additional Funds – 3 month initial period $15,000 – $20,000
Total $254,070 – $588,750

Blimpie

2025

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training

Blimpie provides a comprehensive training structure to support franchisees in effectively operating their business. The training programs include both mandatory and supplemental offerings:

  1. Initial Training Program: The Franchisor provides training for two individuals as part of the Initial Franchise Fee. This includes approximately 60 hours of In-Store Training and 40 hours of New Owner Training. The training is designed to cover the fundamentals of running a Blimpie restaurant and may take place online or in person at the training center in Scottsdale, Arizona. At least one of the trainees must have an ownership stake in the business.
  2. Additional Trainee Option: Franchisees may bring additional individuals to the training by paying an extra fee—$500 for In-Store Training and $750 for New Owner Training per person.
  3. Opening Week On-Site Support: A representative from Blimpie will be sent to the franchise location for up to six days during the opening week to assist with operational setup.
  4. Mandatory Refresher Training: Blimpie may require franchisees and managers to attend additional training sessions if operations are not aligned with the brand’s System Standards.

Territory Protection

Blimpie does not offer territory protection to its franchisees. The franchise agreement clearly states that franchisees will not receive an exclusive territory, and the Franchisor reserves the right to establish other Blimpie locations—including those in close proximity to an existing franchise—at its sole discretion.

This means that franchisees may face direct competition from other Blimpie outlets, company-owned stores, or other brands controlled by the Franchisor.

Furthermore, the agreement confirms that no territorial rights, options for future franchises, or rights of first refusal are provided to the franchisee. The Franchisor may license or establish additional restaurants under the Blimpie name or other restaurant concepts without any obligation to notify or compensate existing franchisees

Competitors

Below are some of

Blimpie

key competitors in the

Sandwich

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Sign up
Gross Profit
Sign up
EBITDA
Sign up

97

New
+
-15%
-15%

$18,000

$90,000

$589,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Abu Omar Halal

Abu Omar Halal is a Mediterranean street-food franchise offering shawarma, falafel, and grilled halal dishes, serving quick-service guests across food trucks and restaurants, and known for generous portions, bold Middle Eastern flavors, and late-night service in busy urban markets.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$335,000 - $634,000

Extreme Pita

Extreme Pita is a fast-casual restaurant franchise offering pita wraps, salads, and Mediterranean-inspired meals, serving health-conscious guests and busy families, and known for customizable pitas, fresh ingredients, and lighter alternatives to traditional fast food, including catering.

Franchisees

?

1
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$192,000 - $513,000

Sub-Ology

Sub-Ology is a sandwich-and-fast-casual franchise offering premium subs, wraps, salads and soups made with Boar’s Head meats and locally baked bread, serving lunch and dinner diners, and known for gourmet ingredients and community-oriented atmosphere.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$285,000 - $443,000

Miller's Famous Sandwiches

Miller’s Famous Sandwiches is a fast-casual franchise offering toasted sandwiches, soups, salads and coffee, serving lunch crowds and grab-and-go customers, and known for iconic brand history, streamlined operations and community-friendly service.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$336,000 - $691,000

D'Angelo Grilled Sandwiches

D'Angelo Grilled Sandwiches is a fast-casual sandwich franchise offering grilled subs, soups, salads and coffee, serving lunch and dinner crowds, and known for flame-roasted flavour, fresh ingredients and community-based franchise experience.

Franchisees

?

22
+
-12%
-12%
Investment

?

$411,000 - $737,000

Submarina California Subs

Submarina California Subs is a submarine-sandwich franchise offering crafted subs with fresh, quality ingredients, serving take-out and delivery customers, and known for California-style flavor, strong franchise support, and award-winning menu.

Franchisees

?

10
+
-9%
-9%
Investment

?

$183,000 - $370,000

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