Samurai Sam's Teriyaki Grill

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Samurai Sam's Teriyaki Grill

Food & Beverage
Asian

Samurai Sam's Teriyaki Grill Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Samurai Sam's Teriyaki Grill specializes in Japanese-inspired teriyaki bowls and grilled meats, served with rice, vegetables, and savory sauces for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Samurai Sam's Teriyaki Grill is a fast-casual restaurant franchise specializing in fresh, Japanese-inspired cuisine. Founded in 1994 in Scottsdale, Arizona, by John Young, David Young, Kerry Phelps, and Russ Schoene, the brand was created to offer a healthier alternative to traditional fast food.

The first franchise location opened in 1995, and the company remains headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The menu features a variety of rice and yakisoba bowls topped with marinated, grilled meats, fresh vegetables, and the brand's signature teriyaki sauce. Additional offerings include specialty wraps, salads, and grilled egg rolls, all prepared with high-quality ingredients at affordable prices.

Samurai Sam's differentiates itself through its commitment to health-conscious dining, proprietary teriyaki sauce, and customizable menu options, such as riceless bowls. The brand's emphasis on fresh, flavorful meals helps it stand out in the growing Asian fast-food segment.

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.

Samurai Sam's Teriyaki Grill offers 2 types of franchises:

Type of Franchise Initial Investment
Traditional Samurai Sam’s Teriyaki Grill franchise $289,900 to $623,300
Non-traditional Samurai Sam’s Teriyaki Grill franchise unit $112,660 to $420,800

‍

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Traditional Samurai Sam’s Teriyaki Grill 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
Initial Franchise Fee $14,000 – $30,000
Lease Review Fee $0 – $2,500
Rent/Security Deposit (for 3 months) $6,000 – $20,000
Travel and Living Expenses (2 persons) while training $2,500 – $5,000
Architectural Fees $15,000 – $25,000
Leasehold Improvements $125,000 – $292,000
Restaurant Equipment, Furniture, Small Wares, Interior Signage and Menu Panels $91,000 – $160,000
Exterior Signage $7,000 – $17,000
Computer Hardware, Software (POS System) $3,000 – $10,000
PCI Compliance Costs $150 – $1,300
Opening Inventory (food and paper) $2,500 – $7,000
Business Insurance $1,000 – $5,000
Miscellaneous Opening Costs $4,750 – $15,500
Grand Opening Marketing $10,000
Depository Account $3,000
Additional Funds - 3 month initial period $5,000 – $20,000
TOTAL $289,900 – $623,300

Samurai Sam's Teriyaki Grill offers 2 types of franchises:

Type of Franchise Initial Investment
Traditional Samurai Sam’s Teriyaki Grill franchise $289,900 to $623,300
Non-traditional Samurai Sam’s Teriyaki Grill franchise unit $112,660 to $420,800

‍

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Traditional Samurai Sam’s Teriyaki Grill 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
Initial Franchise Fee $14,000 – $30,000
Lease Review Fee $0 – $2,500
Rent/Security Deposit (for 3 months) $6,000 – $20,000
Travel and Living Expenses (2 persons) while training $2,500 – $5,000
Architectural Fees $15,000 – $25,000
Leasehold Improvements $125,000 – $292,000
Restaurant Equipment, Furniture, Small Wares, Interior Signage and Menu Panels $91,000 – $160,000
Exterior Signage $7,000 – $17,000
Computer Hardware, Software (POS System) $3,000 – $10,000
PCI Compliance Costs $150 – $1,300
Opening Inventory (food and paper) $2,500 – $7,000
Business Insurance $1,000 – $5,000
Miscellaneous Opening Costs $4,750 – $15,500
Grand Opening Marketing $10,000
Depository Account $3,000
Additional Funds - 3 month initial period $5,000 – $20,000
TOTAL $289,900 – $623,300

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training

Samurai Sam’s Teriyaki Grill, operated by Kahala Franchising, provides a structured training program that franchisees must complete prior to opening. This training ensures consistent food safety and operational standards across all locations. Below is a breakdown of the training components:

  1. Food Safety Training Program: Franchisees are required to complete a food safety training program at their own expense. The franchisor accepts either locally mandated county or state programs or nationally recognized alternatives. Proof of certification must be submitted before attending the franchisor’s training.
  2. Franchisor’s Training Program: After submitting the food safety certification, franchisees must attend and complete the official training provided by Samurai Sam’s. This program covers the operational, managerial, and branding standards required to run the business.
  3. Ongoing Standards Compliance: Franchisees are expected to adhere to operational standards as detailed in the Confidential Manual, which may evolve over time. Continuous compliance ensures that franchisees remain aligned with brand expectations and best practices.

Territory Protection

Samurai Sam’s Teriyaki Grill does not offer exclusive territory protection to its franchisees. While each franchisee is granted a specific location from which to operate, the franchisor does not guarantee territorial rights that prevent other franchisees or company-owned locations from opening nearby.

This means that franchisees could potentially face competition from other Samurai Sam’s locations. The franchise agreement does not provide a designated geographic area in which the franchisee has exclusive rights to develop or operate.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise

Started franchising
1995
Franchisees

?

12
+
-8%
-8%
Franchise fee

?

$30,000
Investment

?

$113,000 - $623,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed
Upgrade

$423,000

+
6.9%
6.9%
Operating Profit

?

Upgrade

n.a.

Home based

?

No
Upgrade
No
Passive investment

?

Yes
Upgrade
Yes
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Competitors

Below are some of

Samurai Sam's Teriyaki Grill

key competitors in the

Asian

sector.

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

12

New
+
-8%
-8%

$30,000

$113,000

$623,000

n.a.

$423,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

3

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$40,000

$235,000

$653,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

92

New
+
-1%
-1%

$35,000

$669,000

$1,412,000

n.a.

$1,198,000

$xxx,xxx

74.2%

xx%

n.a.

4.6%

xx%

n.a.

2

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$45,000

$480,000

$949,000

n.a.

$1,100,000

$xxx,xxx

64.0%

xx%

n.a.

22.4%

xx%

n.a.

31

New
+
11%
11%

$50,000

$1,215,000

$2,607,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

3

New
+
50%
50%

$49,000

$285,000

$676,000

n.a.

$457,000

$xxx,xxx

73.3%

xx%

n.a.

11.1%

xx%

n.a.

48

New
+
-9%
-9%

$30,000

$826,000

$1,491,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

15

New
+
-17%
-17%

$30,000

$490,000

$821,000

n.a.

$1,125,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

10

New
+
43%
43%

$35,000

$311,000

$1,675,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

2

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$25,000

$138,000

$636,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

12

New
+
100%
100%

$20,000

$380,000

$865,000

n.a.

$946,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

2

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$45,000

$373,000

$722,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

0

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$35,000

$1,025,000

$1,982,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

173

New
+
10%
10%

$25,000

$515,000

$3,276,000

n.a.

$1,187,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

18

New
+
-5%
-5%

$30,000

$333,000

$680,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

742

New
+
27%
27%

$3,750

$3,000

$104,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

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.

40

New
+
900%
900%

$35,000

$211,000

$350,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

43

New
+
30%
30%

$50,000

$1,409,000

$3,081,000

n.a.

$3,275,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

6

New
+
-14%
-14%

$30,000

$152,000

$286,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

0

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$45,000

$185,000

$629,000

n.a.

$1,188,000

$xxx,xxx

79.3%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

0

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$49,500

$467,000

$1,384,000

n.a.

$3,004,000

$xxx,xxx

65.0%

xx%

n.a.

22.6%

xx%

n.a.

143

New
+
22%
22%

$35,000

$591,000

$1,313,000

n.a.

$1,358,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

156

New
+
28%
28%

$45,000

$376,000

$976,000

n.a.

$1,123,000

$xxx,xxx

72.0%

xx%

n.a.

10.0%

xx%

n.a.

11

New
+
-8%
-8%

$35,000

$441,000

$801,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

0

New
+
-100%
-100%

$30,000

$353,000

$911,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

14

New
+
250%
250%

$45,000

$188,000

$423,000

n.a.

$429,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

186

New
+
1%
1%

$35,000

$341,000

$577,000

n.a.

$849,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

3

New
+
50%
50%

$40,000

$206,000

$397,000

n.a.

$464,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

20

New
+
-5%
-5%

$30,000

$400,000

$1,181,000

n.a.

$1,150,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

4

New
+
0%
0%

$50,000

$920,000

$1,470,000

n.a.

$1,667,000

$xxx,xxx

79.1%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

8

New
+
33%
33%

$40,000

$616,000

$6,250,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

8

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$50,000

$426,000

$1,713,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

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Franchisees

?

2
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$480,000 - $949,000
Food & Beverage
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Go Go Curry

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Franchisees

?

3
+
50%
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$285,000 - $676,000
Food & Beverage
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Poki Bowl

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Franchisees

?

14
+
250%
250%
Investment

?

$188,000 - $423,000
Food & Beverage
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Kongdog

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n.a.
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Benihana

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33%
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Franchisees

?

48
+
-9%
-9%
Investment

?

$826,000 - $1,491,000
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