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.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
97
+
-15%
-15%
Franchise fee
?
$18,000
Investment
?
$90,000 - $589,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$0
+
n.a.
n.a.
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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
The initial investment required for a Blimpie franchise is $90,000 - $589,000. 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.
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
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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
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Blimpie's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
Blimpie had 101 total units in 2025, of which 97 were franchised-owned and 4 company-owned.
Blimpie provides a comprehensive training structure to support franchisees in effectively operating their business. The training programs include both mandatory and supplemental offerings:
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.
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.
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.
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
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