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Thai Express Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Fast-casual restaurant franchise serving Thai cuisine, including stir-fries, curries, and noodle dishes, offering bold flavors and authentic Thai recipes.

Thai Express embarked on its culinary journey in 2004, establishing itself as a pioneer in the Thai cuisine segment. That same year, the brand began offering franchise opportunities.

Rapidly gaining a foothold in the Canadian market, Thai Express has since expanded to numerous locations globally, solidifying its status in the fast-casual dining arena with a focus on Thai cuisine.

The brand's swift expansion is a result of its distinctive approach within the fast-casual dining space, delivering authentic Thai dishes that are both fresh and quick to prepare. Originating in Canada, Thai Express has become a key player in the industry, with an impressive number of locations domestically and internationally.

The brand operates under the umbrella of the MTY Group, a Canadian conglomerate renowned for its expertise in managing and growing various franchise concepts. MTY Group has been instrumental in the franchising and operational success of Thai Express, aiding its growth and maintaining high standards of quality and service across all outlets.

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.

Thai Express offers 2 types of franchises:

Type of Franchise Initial Investment Amount
Thai Express Food Court Franchise $352,900 - $839,000
Thai Express Standard Franchise $470,050 - $911,300

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Thai Express standard franchise.

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

Thai Expressstandard franchise

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $30,000
Electricity, Water, Gas, Telephone and Landlord’s Deposits $7,000 - $10,000
Lease Deposit plus three months’ rent $17,500 - $52,500
Store Design Fees and Plans $10,000 - $18,000
Permits $1,000 - $3,000
Landlord Capital Contribution / Construction Chargeback $0
Store Construction, Leaseholds and Fixtures $147,000 - $330,000
Exhaust $42,000 - $84,000
Equipment Package $126,000 - $210,000
Furniture $21,000 - $47,000
Signs $7,000 - $21,000
Menu Box $10,000 - $18,500
Opening Uniform Package $700 - $1,200
Small Wares $10,000 - $12,600
Opening Promotion and Advertising $750 - $5,000
Grand Opening Marketing fee $10,000
Security system (does not include monitoring cost) $0 - $3,000
Training Attendance $500 - $2,500
Insurance $850 - $3,500
POS System $3,500 - $14,000
Additional Funds – First 3 months $25,250 - $35,500
Total Unit $470,050 - $911,300

Thai Express offers 2 types of franchises:

Type of Franchise Initial Investment Amount
Thai Express Food Court Franchise $352,900 - $839,000
Thai Express Standard Franchise $470,050 - $911,300

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Thai Express standard franchise.

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

Thai Expressstandard franchise

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $30,000
Electricity, Water, Gas, Telephone and Landlord’s Deposits $7,000 - $10,000
Lease Deposit plus three months’ rent $17,500 - $52,500
Store Design Fees and Plans $10,000 - $18,000
Permits $1,000 - $3,000
Landlord Capital Contribution / Construction Chargeback $0
Store Construction, Leaseholds and Fixtures $147,000 - $330,000
Exhaust $42,000 - $84,000
Equipment Package $126,000 - $210,000
Furniture $21,000 - $47,000
Signs $7,000 - $21,000
Menu Box $10,000 - $18,500
Opening Uniform Package $700 - $1,200
Small Wares $10,000 - $12,600
Opening Promotion and Advertising $750 - $5,000
Grand Opening Marketing fee $10,000
Security system (does not include monitoring cost) $0 - $3,000
Training Attendance $500 - $2,500
Insurance $850 - $3,500
POS System $3,500 - $14,000
Additional Funds – First 3 months $25,250 - $35,500
Total Unit $470,050 - $911,300

Thai Express

2024

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training 

The franchisor offers an extensive training program designed to equip franchisees with the necessary skills and knowledge to operate a Thai Express franchise. This program consists of two main components: "In-Store Training" and "New Owner Training."

In-Store Training

  • Duration: Approximately 160 hours
  • Content: Practical, hands-on experience in a store environment

New Owner Training

  • Duration: Approximately 40 hours
  • Content: Focuses on the operational and managerial aspects of running a Thai Express franchise

Participation in this training is mandatory for both the franchisee and their Designated Manager. The curriculum covers a wide range of business operations, including system standards, food preparation, customer service, and management practices.

Territory Protection

The Thai Express franchise agreement designates a specific location, referred to as the "Licensed Location," where the franchise is to be operated. Franchisees are obligated to conduct their business solely from this Licensed Location and must seek written approval from the franchisor before considering any relocation of their Thai Express Restaurant.

The agreement strictly forbids franchisees from operating their business from any location other than the Licensed Location without the franchisor's written consent. This includes limitations on unauthorized catering or delivery services and any sales through alternative distribution channels, including online platforms, that extend beyond the Licensed Location.

It is important to note that the franchise agreement does not grant an exclusive territory to the franchisee. As a result, franchisees may encounter competition from other franchisees, franchisor-owned or affiliate-owned outlets, or other distribution channels or competing brands managed by the franchisor.

Competitors

Below are some of

Thai Express

key competitors in the

Asian

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Sign up
Gross Profit
Sign up
EBITDA
Sign up

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.

Competitors

Lime House

Lime House is a fast-casual restaurant franchise offering sushi, ramen, and Burmese-inspired dishes, serving diners seeking approachable Asian flavors, and known for chef-driven recipes, fine-dining quality ingredients, community-focused hospitality, and an accessible build-out model for multi-unit or first-time restaurant owners.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$348,000 - $782,000

PokiTomik

PokiTomik is a fast-casual restaurant franchise offering poke bowls, sushi burritos, and Asian-fusion dishes, serving health-minded guests seeking customizable meals, and known for fresh proteins, vibrant toppings, quick-service formats, and contemporary branding tailored to busy urban and neighborhood locations.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$128,000 - $288,000

Vegan District

Vegan District is a plant-based restaurant franchise offering vegan comfort foods and beverages, serving health-conscious diners and ethically minded consumers, and known for indulgent yet animal-free menus, contemporary branding, and positioning within the rapidly growing plant-based dining market segment.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$98,000 - $358,000

Kuma Ani

Kuma Ani is an Asian-food franchise offering ramen, donburi and ban mein bowls, serving quick-service diners and urban food-lovers, and known for authentic flavours, streamlined operations and investment starting around $345k-$544k.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$345,000 - $544,000

Joju

Joju is a fast-casual café franchise offering artisan beverages, premium coffee and café fare, serving urban professionals and café-goers, and known for minimalist design, craft quality and an experiential café concept.

Franchisees

?

1
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$216,000 - $399,000

The Flame Broiler

The Flame Broiler is a fast-casual Asian-rice-bowl franchise offering chicken, beef, tofu and rice or salad bowls, serving health- and value-focused diners, and known for simple model, quick service, and proven franchising system.

Franchisees

?

120
+
-21%
-21%
Investment

?

$411,000 - $715,000

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