
Moe’s owners LOVE owning this brand!
“The food is awesome and the brand is fun and that starts from the top. We are serious business owners but we don’t take ourselves too seriously.”
Guy Campbell, Franchise Owner with 11 Moe’s Southwest Grill® locations
At the heart of every Moe’s Southwest Grill® is the passion and fun-loving spirit that our franchise owners bring to the brand.
The ideal candidate will have:

Multi-unit Restaurant Operating Experience

Ability to Open 3+ Locations

People-development Orientation

Strong Community Connections for GrassRoots Marketing

Fun-Loving and Energetic Personality
"The food is awesome and the brand is fun and that starts from the top. We are serious business owners but we don't take ourselves too seriously."
- Guy Campbell, Franchise Owner with 11 Moe's Southwest Grill® Locations
Here is a cost breakdown to own a Moe’s.
TYPE OF EXPENDITURE | LOW | HIGH |
---|---|---|
Initial Franchise Fee | $30,000 | |
Rent1 | $4,500 | $20,000 |
Leasehold Improvements2 | $161,035 | $371,000 |
Millwork | $22,600 | $35,000 |
Equipment Package3 | $92,000 | $143,000 |
Furniture | $14,500 | $26,000 |
Smallwares | $10,000 | $18,500 |
Menu Board, Graphics, Interior Signage | $4,200 | $18,312 |
Exterior Signage4 | $5,300 | $55,000 |
Computer Hardware/Software, Training | $12,600 | $23,700 |
TV, Music | $1,500 | $9,700 |
Drink Dispenser | $0 | |
Architect | $8,300 | $55,000 |
Grand Opening Marketing5 | $25,000 | $60,000 |
Insurance6 | $3,500 | $15,000 |
Misc. Opening Costs7 | $10,000 | $25,000 |
Security Deposits | $4,500 | $30,000 |
Travel & Living Expenses while Training8 | $5,000 | $10,000 |
Opening Inventory | $4,000 | $10,000 |
Additional Funds (3 Months)9 | $25,000 | $50,000 |
TOTALS | $443,535 | $1,005,212 |
Legal Notes
Note 1: These figures presume that you will be leasing the Restaurant premises and only represent rent for one month. We are unable to estimate the total cost of purchasing suitable premises for your Restaurant or the amount of any down payment that would be required. Rent will vary depending on the size of the premises, the site’s condition, its location, demand for the site, the build-out requirements and construction or other allowances from the landlord, and the requirements of individual landlords. These figures are based on our experience in Atlanta, Georgia and other geographic areas in which there currently are open Restaurants. These figures may vary considerably in other parts of the United States. Regardless of whether you lease or purchase the Restaurant premises, a typical Restaurant occupies about 2,200 to 2,600 square feet of space. A Restaurant may be located in either a freestanding building, in an in-line retail plaza space, or other non-traditional venue, but in any event, the Restaurant requires ample parking, good visibility, and availability of prominent signage. Because of the wide variation in lease rates for retail space, you should thoroughly investigate the costs of obtaining a location.
Note 2: The cost of leasehold improvements will vary widely depending on the size and condition of the premises, whether or not there are any existing and comparable leasehold improvements in the premises, the extent and quality of improvements you desire over and above our minimum requirements, landlord’s cash contribution to the cost of the improvements, and the like. Improvements include electrical, carpentry, floor covering, and painting. These costs are net of any Tenant Improvement Allowance received.
Note 3: You must purchase or lease certain equipment (like kitchen equipment), machinery, furniture, and decorations that comply with our Standards. Costs will vary depending on a number of factors including, without limitation, building codes and health requirements of the state where your Restaurant is located. We estimate that the cost for the FFE package will not exceed $160,000.
Note 4: The cost of your exterior sign will vary depending on the size, color, and back-lite channel letters of the sign and other specifications as we require.
Note 5: You must conduct a grand opening advertising campaign with the opening of your Restaurant. You must pay all costs of the grand opening, including publicity costs, promotional costs, plus the full cost of any price reductions or other customer inducements. Costs may vary depending on your market and the type of advertising used, however, you must spend a minimum of $25,000 ($35,000 if your Restaurant is the first Restaurant to open in a Designated Market Area) during the period beginning 4 weeks before and ending 8 weeks after the opening of your Restaurant. You must submit your grand opening marketing plan to us eight weeks prior to your grand opening.
Note 6: You must obtain and maintain during the term of your Franchise Agreement, at your expense, a comprehensive business insurance program, including property, commercial general liability, automobile liability, business property, umbrella, and workers’ compensation insurance. In addition, we may require you to maintain employment practices liability insurance and cyber liability insurance with limits of up to $1,000,000. The types and minimum amounts of insurance coverage that we currently require are described in Section 13.2 of the Franchise Agreement, but are subject to change. This figure estimates the cost of your insurance premiums for your first year of operation based on our minimum requirements. Your cost of insurance will vary depending on your Restaurant location, the claims experience of commercial businesses in your area, and your prior insurance claim experience. You should be aware that this cost may increase in the future if we exercise our right to require you to obtain insurance with higher policy limits.
Note 7: This figure includes amounts for utility costs, business licenses, permits, opening assistance, and the cost of training your employees.
Note 8: You must arrange and pay for all food, travel, and lodging expenses for the people who attend the Management Training Program. Costs will vary depending on the number of trainees, the distance traveled, and the type of lodging.
Note 9: This estimates the funds needed to cover your expenses during the first 3 months of operation. These expenses include payroll costs (excluding any wage or salary paid to you), other miscellaneous expenses, and working capital. These figures are estimates based on past business experience. We cannot guarantee that you will not have additional expenses starting the business. Your costs will depend on factors like: how closely you follow our methods and procedures; your management skill, experience, and business knowledge; local economic conditions; the local market for our product; the prevailing wage rate; competition; and the sales level achieved during the initial period. All of these expenses are paid to third parties.
Note 10: Restaurants located in non-traditional venues like office buildings, hospitals, stadiums or university food service facilities will likely experience lower initial investment expenditures than Restaurants in traditional locations like malls or strip centers. These figures may vary considerably based upon your location. In addition, your costs will depend on factors like: how closely you follow our methods and procedures; your management skill, experience, and business knowledge; local economic conditions; the local market for our product; the prevailing wage rate; competition; and the sales level achieved during the initial period. We do not offer direct or indirect financing to franchisees for any of these items. The availability and terms of financing will depend on factors like the availability of financing generally, your credit worthiness, collateral you pledge, policies of your lending institution, and economic conditions in your area.