Country Kitchen Restaurants Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)

Country Kitchen Restaurants serves a variety of homestyle American dishes, offering a cozy and family-friendly dining experience with a focus on comfort food.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

Franchisees

-26%

Franchise fee

$40,000

Investment

$425,000 - $1,685,000

Revenue (AUV)

n.a.

Country Kitchen is a classic American restaurant franchise that has been serving hearty, homestyle meals for over 85 years. Founded in 1939 by Bill Johnson and Bill Goodman in Cincinnati, Ohio, the brand began as a humble hamburger stand offering five-cent burgers and ten-cent steak sandwiches.

By 1958, the founders began franchising the concept, expanding its reach across the United States. Today, Country Kitchen is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, and continues to uphold its tradition of warm hospitality and quality food.

The franchise offers a diverse menu that caters to all-day dining, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. Signature dishes feature the “Best Pancakes in Town,” hearty skillets, omelets, sandwiches, burgers, and savory dinners.

Country Kitchen’s commitment to comfort food and a welcoming atmosphere has made it a favorite among families and travelers alike.

Initial investment

The initial investment required for a Country Kitchen Restaurants franchise is $425,000 - $1,685,000. 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.

Country Kitchen offers 2 types of franchises:

Type of franchise	Initial Investment
Standard Country Kitchen	$575,000 to $1,685,000
Limited Service Café Style Country Kitchen	$425,000 to $900,000

‍

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Standard Country Kitchen Franchise.

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

Type of Expenditure	Amount
Franchise Fee	$40,000
Rent, Deposits, Licenses and Permits	$13,500 – $44,500
Leasehold Improvements / Construction Costs	$195,000 – $840,000
Utility Deposits	$2,500 – $5,000
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment	$165,500 – $385,000
Point of Sale System, Software	$15,000 – $21,000
Signage	$12,000 – $75,000
Initial Inventory	$15,000 – $20,000
Interior Décor	$5,000 – $15,000
Travel, Living and Salary Expenses While Training	$20,000 – $50,000
Insurance	$8,000 – $20,000
Grand Opening Advertising	$5,000
Legal & Accounting	$2,000 – $12,000
Start-Up Supplies	$1,500 – $2,500
Additional Funds – 3 months	$75,000 – $150,000
Total Franchise Business Cost (Excluding Real Estate)	$575,000 – $1,685,000

Country Kitchen offers 2 types of franchises:

Type of franchise	Initial Investment
Standard Country Kitchen	$575,000 to $1,685,000
Limited Service Café Style Country Kitchen	$425,000 to $900,000

‍

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Standard Country Kitchen Franchise.

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

Type of Expenditure	Amount
Franchise Fee	$40,000
Rent, Deposits, Licenses and Permits	$13,500 – $44,500
Leasehold Improvements / Construction Costs	$195,000 – $840,000
Utility Deposits	$2,500 – $5,000
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment	$165,500 – $385,000
Point of Sale System, Software	$15,000 – $21,000
Signage	$12,000 – $75,000
Initial Inventory	$15,000 – $20,000
Interior Décor	$5,000 – $15,000
Travel, Living and Salary Expenses While Training	$20,000 – $50,000
Insurance	$8,000 – $20,000
Grand Opening Advertising	$5,000
Legal & Accounting	$2,000 – $12,000
Start-Up Supplies	$1,500 – $2,500
Additional Funds – 3 months	$75,000 – $150,000
Total Franchise Business Cost (Excluding Real Estate)	$575,000 – $1,685,000

Franchise Disclosure Document

Below is Country Kitchen Restaurants's 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.

Number of units

Country Kitchen Restaurants had 20 total units in 2023, of which 20 were franchised-owned and 0 company-owned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Competitors

Below are some of

Country Kitchen Restaurants

key competitors in the

Breakfast

sector.

Franchise

Upgrade

New

-26%

4% - 5%

$425,000

$1,685,000

n.a.

Squeeze In

$200K - $500K

New

5.00%

$202,000

$522,000

$754,000

n.a.

Huddle House

Over $500K

242

New

-15%

4.75%

$558,000

$1,443,000

$732,000

n.a.

Scramblers

Over $500K

New

-13%

4.00%

$535,000

$1,083,000

$1,057,000

15.9%

Elmer's Breakfast Lunch Dinner Egg N' Joe

Over $500K

New

-42%

4.00%

$1,147,000

$4,672,000

$2,623,000

n.a.

Wild Eggs

Over $500K

New

20%

5.50%

$737,000

$1,889,000

$1,993,000

11.0%

The Original Pancake House

$200K - $500K

146

New

2.00%

$483,000

$1,666,000

n.a.

Training

The franchise training provided by Country Kitchen International as the franchisor is comprehensive and structured to prepare franchisees both before and after launching their restaurant. Here are the training programs offered:

Pre-Opening Management Training Program
This training is required before the restaurant opens. It includes an initial management training session which is scheduled at locations and times designated by the franchisor. It covers operational, administrative, and procedural aspects necessary for running a Country Kitchen.
Initial Training Materials and Supplies
Franchisees are provided with training materials and initial supplies to support their learning and preparation for operations.
Standardized Operating Tools
Franchisees receive a sample of standardized documents such as a chart of accounts, statement of earnings, and balance sheet templates to facilitate accurate and consistent financial reporting.

Territory Protection

Country Kitchen does not provide exclusive or protected territories to its franchisees. The franchise agreement specifically states that the franchisee does not receive an exclusive territory and that the franchisor may establish other franchises or operate company-owned outlets near the franchisee's location.

This means that franchisees must be prepared to compete with other Country Kitchen locations that could be established nearby. Furthermore, Country Kitchen retains the right to offer and sell franchises to others at any location without geographical limitation.

This open-territory approach allows the franchisor flexibility in expanding its brand but may affect the individual franchisee’s market share. Therefore, prospective franchisees should assess the competitive risks associated with this territorial policy when evaluating the franchise opportunity.