Sonic Drive-In vs Taco Bell: franchise cost side by side

Sonic Drive-In is the cheaper of the two to open, from $1,485,200; Taco Bell starts at $1,859,750.

Every figure comes from the brand's FDD, the disclosure file it must hand you before you sign.

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Sonic Drive-In is the cheaper to open, from $1,485,200.

Taco Bell starts at $1,859,750, the lowest cost to open given in each FDD.

From each FDD	Sonic Drive-In	Taco Bell
Total cost to open	$1,485,200 to $2,522,900	$1,859,750 to $4,312,200
Upfront fee	$15,000	$45,000
Royalty (ongoing fee)	5% of gross sales	5.5% of gross sales
Marketing fund	0.9% of gross sales, plus at least 3.25% for local advertising	4.25% of gross sales
Published sales	$1,552,145 a year (average of 3,057 locations, 2025)	Published, no single figure
Outlets	3,120 franchised, 292 company	7,335 franchised, 663 company
Year filed	2026	2026

More comparisons with Sonic Drive-In and Taco Bell

Every brand's fee, royalty and Item 7 range is also in one table you can download: the franchise fee comparison.

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