Moe's Southwest Grill franchise
Moe's Southwest Grill is a fast-casual Tex-Mex chain where customers build burritos, bowls and quesadillas, with free chips and salsa and a welcome shout from staff. It is part of GoTo Foods. At the end of 2025 there were 568 Moe's Southwest Grill locations in the US, 563 franchised and 5 company-owned.
- Cost to open
- $644K–$1.97M
- Franchise fee
- $35,500
- Royalty
- 5%
- Locations, 2025
- 568−73 in 3 yrs
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Company snapshot
- Franchising since
- 2001
- Franchisor based in
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Time to open
- 6 to 12 months after signing
- Agreement length
- 20 years
- Financing
- None offered
From Moe's Franchisor SPV LLC’s 2026 filing.
How much a Moe's Southwest Grill franchise costs
Opening one Moe's restaurant costs an estimated $644,425 to $1,968,450. That covers the franchise fee and everything else needed to open, through the first months of working capital.
Source: Moe's Franchisor SPV LLC, 2026 filing, page 43
Moe's Southwest Grill franchise fee
The franchise fee is $35,500, per restaurant ($20,000 for qualifying veterans). You pay it when you sign the franchise agreement.
Source: Moe's Franchisor SPV LLC, 2026 filing, page 28
Royalty and ongoing fees
| Royalty | 5% of net sales, paid weekly. |
|---|---|
| Brand or marketing fund | Currently 3% of net sales to the ad fund (up to 4%). |
Source: Moe's Franchisor SPV LLC, 2026 filing, page 30
Sales and earnings
Shares figures Moe's Southwest Grill publishes sales or earnings figures for its locations: it reports fiscal 2025 results for traditional franchised restaurants open all 52 weeks. The full tables, with notes on which locations are counted, are in its filing.
Source: Moe's Franchisor SPV LLC, 2026 filing, page 82
Locations opened and closed
| Year | Franchised | Company-owned | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 606 (−30) | 6 | 42 |
| 2024 | 591 (−15) | 5 | 30 |
| 2025 | 563 (−28) | 5 | 43 |
Closed or left counts terminations, non-renewals, locations bought back by the franchisor and locations that stopped operating.
Source: Moe's Franchisor SPV LLC, 2026 filing, page 85
How Moe's Southwest Grill compares
Of the 46 fast food franchises on this site, Moe's Southwest Grill is the 23rd cheapest to open and the 33rd largest by number of locations.
| Measure | Moe's Southwest Grill | Typical fast food |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to open, low end | $644K | $701K |
| Royalty | 5% | 5% |
| Closed or left per year | 6.3% | 2% |
| Change in franchised locations, 3 yrs | −11.5% | +6.3% |
| Shares earnings figures | Yes | 39 of 46 |
Typical is the median across the 46 brands in fast food franchises.
Other fast food franchises
Moe's Southwest Grill franchise questions
How long does it take to open a Moe's Southwest Grill?
6 to 12 months after signing, according to Moe's Southwest Grill's 2026 filing. Finding a site, permits and build-out are what usually stretch it.
Does Moe's Southwest Grill help with financing?
No. Moe's Southwest Grill does not offer financing or guarantee loans or leases, so buyers arrange their own, usually a bank or SBA loan.
How long is a Moe's Southwest Grill franchise agreement?
The initial term is 20 years. Renewal is usually possible if you're in good standing, often for a fee and a remodel.
Is Moe's Southwest Grill growing or shrinking?
Over the last 3 years 42 franchised locations opened and 115 closed or left, a net change of −11.5%. About 6.3% of locations closed or left each year. That is above the 2% typical for fast food franchises.
How does Moe's Southwest Grill compare with other fast food franchises?
Of the 46 fast food franchises here, Moe's Southwest Grill is the 23rd cheapest to open (low end $644K against a $701K median) and the 33rd largest by number of locations. Its 5% royalty is in line with the 5% median.
Does Moe's Southwest Grill say how much franchisees make?
Yes: it reports fiscal 2025 results for traditional franchised restaurants open all 52 weeks. Your results can differ; the filing explains which locations are counted.
Where is Moe's Southwest Grill based?
Moe's Franchisor SPV LLC is based in Atlanta, Georgia and the brand has sold franchises since 2001.