Cupbop Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Cupbop serves Korean-inspired rice and noodle bowls with a variety of flavorful toppings, offering customers a delicious and convenient dining experience.

Cupbop is a fast-casual restaurant franchise known for its unique offering of Korean BBQ in a cup. Founded in 2013 in Salt Lake City, Utah, by Chris Oh, the franchise has quickly gained popularity for its convenient and flavorful Korean cuisine.

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Cupbop began its franchising journey in 2017, expanding its reach and bringing Korean BBQ to a broader audience. The franchise specializes in serving Korean BBQ dishes such as spicy chicken, beef, and pork, served in a cup with a variety of rice and vegetable options.

Cupbop differentiates itself from the competition through its innovative concept of serving traditional Korean BBQ in a portable, cup-based format, which appeals to customers seeking both convenience and authenticity in their dining experience.

Cupbop's success lies in its commitment to high-quality ingredients and bold flavors, combined with a fast-casual service model that offers a unique twist on Korean cuisine. This approach has set Cupbop apart in the competitive landscape of fast-casual dining, allowing it to carve out a niche in the market and attract a loyal customer base.

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.

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $40,000
Training Expenses while Attending Initial Training $1,000 - $5,000
Real Estate/Rent $5,000 - $15,000
Leasehold Improvements, Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment $180,000 - $475,000
Grand Opening Advertising $10,000
Opening Inventory/Supplies $13,000 - $15,000
Point of Sale System $2,500 - $5,000
Accounting Software Package $200 – $1,000
Office Equipment and Supplies $3,000 - $5,000
Signage $10,000 - $16,000
Utility Deposits and Payments $1,500 - $6,500
Business Licenses and Permits for City, State and Regulatory Agencies $500 - $1,500
Insurance $400 - $600
Dues and Subscriptions $300 - $800
Professional Fees $2,000 - $5,000
Additional Funds – 3 Months $27,000 - $63,000
Total $296,400 - $664,400
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $40,000
Training Expenses while Attending Initial Training $1,000 - $5,000
Real Estate/Rent $5,000 - $15,000
Leasehold Improvements, Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment $180,000 - $475,000
Grand Opening Advertising $10,000
Opening Inventory/Supplies $13,000 - $15,000
Point of Sale System $2,500 - $5,000
Accounting Software Package $200 – $1,000
Office Equipment and Supplies $3,000 - $5,000
Signage $10,000 - $16,000
Utility Deposits and Payments $1,500 - $6,500
Business Licenses and Permits for City, State and Regulatory Agencies $500 - $1,500
Insurance $400 - $600
Dues and Subscriptions $300 - $800
Professional Fees $2,000 - $5,000
Additional Funds – 3 Months $27,000 - $63,000
Total $296,400 - $664,400

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training 

Cupbop Franchise provides a comprehensive training program to ensure that franchisees and their staff are well-prepared to operate the business efficiently. The training includes the following components:

  1. Initial Training: Franchisees undergo a thorough training program at Cupbop's headquarters or a designated training location. This includes an overview of operations, including food preparation, customer service, and daily management practices.
  2. Operational Training: This segment focuses on the specifics of running a Cupbop location, such as kitchen operations, inventory management, and health and safety standards.
  3. Marketing and Sales Training: Franchisees receive guidance on local marketing strategies, promotional campaigns, and sales techniques to drive customer engagement and growth.
  4. Ongoing Support and Refresher Courses: After the initial training, Cupbop provides ongoing support, including periodic refresher courses and updates on new procedures, menu items, or promotional strategies to ensure franchisees stay current with best practices and industry trends.

Territory Protection

 Cupbop franchise offers territory protection to its franchisees. This means that each franchisee is granted an exclusive area where no other Cupbop locations can be opened, helping to prevent market saturation and protect the franchisee’s investment. 

The territory is typically defined based on factors such as population density and geographic boundaries, ensuring that each franchisee has a defined market area to serve.

Competitors

Below are some of

Cupbop

key competitors in the

Asian

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Upgrade
Gross Profit
Upgrade
EBITDA
Upgrade

30

New
+
58%
58%

$40,000

$296,000

$664,000

n.a.

$669,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Dae Gee Korean BBQ

Dae Gee Korean BBQ is a restaurant franchise offering Korean barbecue with a do-it-yourself grilling experience. Customers cook their own meats at the table, enjoying a communal and interactive dining atmosphere.

Franchisees

?

2
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$480,000 - $949,000

Go Go Curry

Go Go Curry is a Japanese curry franchise serving authentic Kanazawa-style curry with rice, pork cutlets, and other toppings.

Franchisees

?

3
+
50%
50%
Investment

?

$285,000 - $676,000

Poki Bowl

Poki Bowl is a poke restaurant franchise that serves customizable bowls with fresh fish, vegetables, and signature sauces.

Franchisees

?

14
+
250%
250%
Investment

?

$188,000 - $423,000

Kongdog

Kongdog is a Korean-style corn dog franchise offering unique, deep-fried hot dogs and cheese sticks coated in various toppings.

Franchisees

?

2
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$138,000 - $636,000

Benihana

Benihana is a Japanese teppanyaki restaurant franchise famous for its live hibachi-style cooking, sushi offerings, and interactive dining experiences.

Franchisees

?

8
+
33%
33%
Investment

?

$616,000 - $6,250,000

Asian Chao Chao Cajun

Asian Chao Chao Cajun is a fast-casual restaurant franchise offering a fusion of Asian and Cajun-inspired dishes, delivering bold flavors and fresh ingredients.

Franchisees

?

48
+
-9%
-9%
Investment

?

$826,000 - $1,491,000