Protein Bar & Kitchen
Food & Beverage · Fast-Casual Restaurants
- Active units
- 3
- Avg unit volume
- $1.3M
- Royalty
- 6.0%
Franchised, year-end 2024
of weekly Net Sales
About Protein Bar & Kitchen
Protein Bar & Kitchen is a leading fast casual brand that originated from a small Chicago storefront. Since its humble beginnings, the brand has become a game changer in the industry. Initially known for their delicious, nutritious, and protein-packed shakes, Protein Bar & Kitchen quickly expanded their menu to include a wide selection of high-protein salads, wraps, and bowls, customizable for all diets. Their commitment to providing fuel that powers the body throughout the day has gained popularity, with customers experiencing the benefits of eating, feeling, and moving better. With every entree packed with 15+ grams of protein, Protein Bar & Kitchen ensures that their menu serves the needs of both vegans and those on a gluten-free diet. The brand prides itself on delivering a protein-powered movement that combines craveable and satisfying flavors with super-charged ingredients and healthy swaps. Whether you're looking for a quick pick-up or convenient delivery, Protein Bar & Kitchen offers a customizable menu that promises delicious and nutritious options for everyone.
Key terms
- Franchise fee
$40k
- Non-Traditional Location discount
In fiscal year 2024, initial franchise fees for two Non-Traditional Locations ranged from $12,000 to $40,000.
- Brand fund
2.0% of Net Sales
- Local advertising
1.0% of Net Sales
- Footprint
1,250 – 2,500 sq ft
- Development Agreement - Development Fee
$20k
Brand Percentile Rankings
Rankings compare brands in the same operating year. Fee and investment figures come from the FDD (2026 filing); filings on file: 2024, 2025, 2026.
Growth
- Total locations3
Franchised units open at year-end
- New openings1
Gross new units opened during the calendar year
- 1-year unit growth rate0.0%
Net unit growth versus prior year
- 3-year unit CAGR73.2%
Compound annual growth rate of unit count over the trailing 3 years
- Unit growth ratio1.0×
Cumulative opens / closures through year-end
Unit economics
- Annual unit volume (Median)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- Annual unit volume (25th percentile)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- Annual unit volume (75th percentile)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- 1-year Median AUV growth rate-8.7%
Year-over-year change in median AUV
- Store-level EBITDA Margin—
Median unit-level EBITDA / AUV
Investment profile
- Estimated initial investment$527k
Midpoint of estimated initial investment range
↓ Lower is better - Time to open—
Midpoint of average time from agreement to opening
- Royalty rate6.0%
Percent of net sales paid to the franchisor
↓ Lower is better - Sales-to-investment ratio—
Median AUV / estimated initial investment midpoint
- Cash-on-cash returns—
Median unit-level EBITDA / estimated initial investment midpoint. Steady-state estimate; year 1 returns will be lower as the unit ramps to median volumes.
Franchisee healthLocked
- Unit closure ratio
- Transfer vs. closure ratio
- Percent multi-unit franchisees
- Litigation rate
- EBITDA multiple on sales & transfers
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Sources
Financial and operating figures are sourced from the brand's Franchise Disclosure Documents. Brand percentile rankings are based on comparisons to other brands that include the same metrics in their Franchise Disclosure Documents.