Elevation Burger Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)

Elevation Burger serves delicious and sustainably sourced burgers made with organic ingredients, offering customers a flavorful and eco-friendly dining option.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

Franchisees

-12%

Franchise fee

$50,000

Investment

$509,000 - $1,695,000

Revenue (AUV)

$877,000

n.a.

Elevation Burger is an American fast-casual restaurant franchise founded in 2005 in Falls Church, Virginia. The first store opened in September 2005, launching a new niche in organic fast food with USDA-certified, grass-fed beef patties.

Its corporate headquarters is located at 9720 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 500, Beverly Hills, California, under parent company FAT Brands, which acquired it in June 2019. Elevation Burger began franchising in spring 2008, first expanding within the Washington metro area and later into Baltimore, Austin, New York, and beyond.

Elevation Burger offers burgers, fries, shakes, and chicken sandwiches—all made from fresh, organic ingredients. The lead products include 100% grass-fed beef, olive-oil-fried French fries, cage-free chicken, veggie and plant-based burgers, and hand-scooped milkshakes.

Elevation Burger differentiates from competitors through its premium, health-focused positioning and environmental sustainability. They emphasize superior quality by grilling fresh patties daily, cooking fries in heart-healthy olive oil, sourcing cage-free and organic ingredients, and using eco-friendly restaurant design.

Initial investment

The initial investment required for a Elevation Burger franchise is $509,000 - $1,695,000. 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.

Type of Expenditure	Amount
Initial Fee	$50,000 – $50,000
Leasehold Improvements; Construction Costs	$150,000 – $600,000
Equipment, Decor & Furnishings	$160,000 – $600,000
Signage	$10,000 – $100,000
Point of Sale Systems (POS) and related technology	$16,100 – $38,000
Restaurant Small Wares	$10,800 – $17,000
Initial Inventory	$7,200 – $10,400
Security Deposits (Utilities, Insurance, etc.)	$9,000 – $32,500
Insurance and Bonds	$8,000 – $12,000
Rent	$3,500 – $20,000
Miscellaneous (legal, accounting, licenses, permits)	$14,000 – $25,000
Liquor Licenses and Fees	$5,000 – $75,000
Grand Opening & Marketing Materials	$7,500 – $10,000
Training	$32,500 – $65,000
Additional Funds - three months	$25,000 – $40,000
Total	$508,600 – $1,694,900

Type of Expenditure	Amount
Initial Fee	$50,000 – $50,000
Leasehold Improvements; Construction Costs	$150,000 – $600,000
Equipment, Decor & Furnishings	$160,000 – $600,000
Signage	$10,000 – $100,000
Point of Sale Systems (POS) and related technology	$16,100 – $38,000
Restaurant Small Wares	$10,800 – $17,000
Initial Inventory	$7,200 – $10,400
Security Deposits (Utilities, Insurance, etc.)	$9,000 – $32,500
Insurance and Bonds	$8,000 – $12,000
Rent	$3,500 – $20,000
Miscellaneous (legal, accounting, licenses, permits)	$14,000 – $25,000
Liquor Licenses and Fees	$5,000 – $75,000
Grand Opening & Marketing Materials	$7,500 – $10,000
Training	$32,500 – $65,000
Additional Funds - three months	$25,000 – $40,000
Total	$508,600 – $1,694,900

Franchise Disclosure Document

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

Number of units

Elevation Burger had 36 total units in 2023, of which 36 were franchised-owned and 0 company-owned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Competitors

Below are some of

Elevation Burger

key competitors in the

Burger

sector.

Franchise

New

-12%

6.00%

$509,000

$1,695,000

$877,000

n.a.

Fatburger

Over $500K

193

New

6.00%

$509,000

$1,695,000

$1,080,000

n.a.

Checkers & Rally's

$100K - $200K

362

New

-12%

2% - 4%

$124,000

$2,132,000

$1,061,000

12.0%

Jack in the Box

Over $500K

2040

New

5.00%

$1,911,000

$4,032,000

$1,929,000

10.2%

Sonic Drive-In

Over $500K

3144

New

-2%

5.00%

$669,000

$3,141,000

$1,501,000

n.a.

BURGERFI

Over $500K

New

5.50%

$610,000

$1,043,000

$1,319,000

n.a.

Sammy's Sliders

$200K - $500K

New

n.a.

5.00%

$328,000

$713,000

n.a.

Training

Elevation Burger, through EB Franchises, LLC, offers training designed to support franchisees in operating their restaurants efficiently and consistently with brand standards. The programs provided include:

Initial Training Program
Elevation Burger requires franchisees to participate in an Initial Training Program before opening their restaurant. This includes training for up to five individuals at no cost, and covers operational procedures, systems use, and brand standards. The training prepares franchisees and their teams for both pre-opening and day-to-day operations.
Additional Training
If franchisees request or require further instruction beyond the initial training, they must reimburse the franchisor for associated costs. These costs may include up to $1,500 per week for each additional trainee. This ensures ongoing support while encouraging franchisees to fully utilize the initial training period.
Pre-Opening and Post-Opening Assistance
Elevation Burger offers hands-on support during the startup phase, including on-site help before and after the restaurant opening. While the franchisor covers up to $20,000 of these labor and travel costs for the first unit, franchisees are responsible for any additional assistance. This program ensures a smooth transition into operational status and reinforces proper implementation of training concepts.

Territory Protection

Elevation Burger provides its franchisees with territory protection through what it refers to as a “Protected Territory.” This protected area is defined in the Franchise Agreement and restricts the franchisor from operating or authorizing another Elevation Burger franchise within the designated boundaries.

The protection ensures that the franchisee has a specific geographic zone where they can operate without direct internal brand competition. However, the Protected Territory does not shield the franchisee from competition generated by third-party delivery services.

Even if orders are placed from within the franchisee’s territory through approved websites or mobile apps, the franchisor may still process those transactions through other locations.