Home Applebee's2025 vs. 2026
FDD Year-over-Year Comparison

Applebee's FDD: What Changed from 2025 to 2026

Item 7 in this filing is presented by format, so the 2025 and 2026 ranges are not directly comparable. 2026: $616,682–$5,822,933. 2025: $1,766,798–$5,822,933.

Source: WI & SD state filings · Updated June 2026 · ClearlyFDD

Item 7 — Estimated Initial Investment

2025 FDD2026 FDDChange
Low end of range$1,766,798$616,682
High end of range$5,822,933$5,822,933
Full range$1,766,798–$5,822,933$616,682–$5,822,933

Item 7 in this filing is presented by format, so the 2025 and 2026 ranges are not directly comparable. 2026: $616,682–$5,822,933. 2025: $1,766,798–$5,822,933.

2026 filing: Item 6 details additional ongoing and periodic fees. Item 7 (Estimated Initial Investment) outlines the investment range and includes separate tables for different prototypes; totals vary by unit type and region. Refer to Items 5–7 for granular breakdowns by line item, including technology, site, and construction-related costs.

Item 20 — System Size (Outlet Count)

2025 FDD2026 FDDChange
Total outlets (Item 20)1,5071,480−27 (−1.8%)
Franchised outlets1,4601,421−39 (−2.7%)
Company-owned outlets4759+12
Openings during the yearNot disclosed11
Closures during the yearNot disclosed33

Applebee's reports 1,480 outlets in the 2026 FDD, against 1,507 in the 2025 filing — a change of −27 (−1.8%).

Outlet counts as each filing states them — 2025: Fiscal year ended 2024 (Traditional Venue locations) and 2024 (Non-Traditional Venue locations); 2026: As of December 28, 2025. Item 20 tables distinguish traditional and non-traditional venues and include dual-branded locations within their figures. Transfer counts reflect outlets sold by franchisees to other franchisees during the most recent fiscal year.

Item 19 — Financial Performance Representations

Applebee's included an Item 19 financial performance representation in both the 2025 and 2026 filings. The 2026 filing discloses financial performance, broken out across 5 outlet segments for 12-month period of December 30, 2024 to December 28, 2025.

Item 6 — Ongoing Fees

2025 FDD2026 FDDChange
Standard royalty rate4%4%unchanged

The standard royalty rate holds at 4% of Gross Sales across both filings.

2025 filing: FDD states the royalty percentage can be increased by the franchisor. 2026 filing: The royalty percentage may be increased by the franchisor per the Franchise Agreement and FDD disclosure. See Item 6 for the royalty fee table and note that Gross Sales exclusions and definitions are detailed in the FDD.

Frequently asked questions

Did the cost to open an Applebee's franchise change in the 2026 FDD?

The 2026 FDD for Applebee's states an Item 7 estimated initial investment of $616,682–$5,822,933, against $1,766,798–$5,822,933 in the 2025 filing. The filings present Item 7 by format, so no single percentage change is shown.

How many locations does Applebee's have?

The 2026 FDD for Applebee's reports 1,480 outlets in Item 20, against 1,507 in the 2025 filing — 27 fewer.

How many Applebee's locations closed?

The 2026 FDD for Applebee's reports 33 outlet closures for the year it covers.

Did Applebee's change its royalty rate?

No. Both the 2025 and 2026 filings for Applebee's state a standard royalty of 4%.

Unlock this Workspace

  • Clearly Report + Workspace
  • Full FDD breakdown with citations
  • Ask Clara as many questions as you need
  • Saved to your Clearly Library, organized by brand
Unlock This Workspace — $49