Crumbl Cookies vs Dunkin': Which Is the Better Investment?

Side-by-side comparison of investment costs, fees, unit economics, and franchisee satisfaction. Data from FDD disclosures and franchise database — updated 2026.

Food & Restaurant Real Data Not Investment Advice
CC

Crumbl Cookies

Food & Restaurant
$327K – $609K
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VS
D

Dunkin'

Food & Restaurant
$527K – $1.8M
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At a Glance: Key Differences

Data-driven observations based on disclosed figures. Not investment advice — verify current numbers in each franchise's FDD.

Investment Cost
Crumbl Cookies wins on investment range ($1.2M less) vs Dunkin'.
Fee Burden
Dunkin' wins on royalty rate (2.1% lower) vs Crumbl Cookies.
Unit Count
Dunkin' wins on total units (12,250 more) vs Crumbl Cookies.
Satisfaction
Crumbl Cookies wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Dunkin'.

Investment & Fees

Metric Crumbl Cookies Dunkin'
Min Investment $327K $527K
Max Investment $609K $1.8M
Franchise Fee $25K $40K
Royalty Rate 8.0% 5.9%
Ad Fund Rate 2.0% 5.0%

Unit Economics

Metric Crumbl Cookies Dunkin'
Avg Unit Revenue $1.7M $1.1M
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Crumbl Cookies Dunkin'
Total Units 950 13,200
Annual Growth 40.0% 2.0%
Failure Rate 1.0% 3.5%

Franchisee Performance

Metric Crumbl Cookies Dunkin'
Franchisee Satisfaction 79/100 70/100

Track Record

Metric Crumbl Cookies Dunkin'
Years in Business 7 75
Years Franchising 5 65

Financial Requirements

Metric Crumbl Cookies Dunkin'
Min Net Worth Required $500K $500K
Liquid Capital Required $250K $250K

Operations

Metric Crumbl Cookies Dunkin'
Avg Employees 25 25
Training Weeks 3 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Crumbl Cookies or Dunkin' a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. Crumbl Cookies has 950 total units and a 79/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Dunkin' has 13,200 total units and a 70/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Use our ROI Calculator to model both scenarios.

How much does it cost to open a Crumbl Cookies franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Crumbl Cookies franchise requires an initial investment of $327K – $609K. The franchise fee is $25K, with ongoing royalties of 8.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

How much does it cost to open a Dunkin' franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Dunkin' franchise requires an initial investment of $527K – $1.8M. The franchise fee is $40K, with ongoing royalties of 5.9%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for Crumbl Cookies vs Dunkin'?

Crumbl Cookies's royalty rate is 8.0%. Dunkin''s royalty rate is 5.9%. That means Dunkin' has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — Crumbl Cookies or Dunkin'?

Crumbl Cookies has 950 total units. Dunkin' has 13,200 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Crumbl Cookies or Dunkin' semi-absentee friendly?

Crumbl Cookies is typically run as a owner-operator model. Dunkin' is typically run as a semi-absentee model. If passive income is your goal, semi-absentee models let you hire a manager to run day-to-day operations.

Data sourced from franchise disclosure documents and public records. Investment ranges, royalty rates, and unit counts change — always request current FDD before making investment decisions. Last updated March 2026.

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