Guests sharing the long communal table inside a FishNChips Born in Texas outlet

★ Low investment. One brand. Three ways to win.

A simple business. A stronger future.

We proved FishNChips in a tiny kitchen. Now the same recipes come in three footprints — from a 250 sq ft cloud kitchen to a downtown room with a long table. You bring the location and the people; we bring the food, recipes, packaging, training and supply.

Download franchise brochureDownload build-out checklist

Updated PDFs · all three formats, fees, next steps, and the task-by-task build-out plan.

The brand film

FishNChips, born in Texas.

Sixty seconds of what you would be handing your town: hand-battered fish, hand-cut fries and a counter with room for everyone. Show it to your partners, your landlord, your family.

Franchise partners receive the film, the photography and the full brand kit.

FishNChips — Born in Texas · brand film

Three low-investment formats

Same food. Same welcome. Three footprints.

The menu, the batter and the standards never change. What changes is the room — so you can start where your market and your capital actually are.

FormatSizeFranchise feeBuild-out guidanceSeating
Express250–400 sq ft$35,000approx $250–$500 per sq ftMinimal / none
Neighborhood500–700 sq ft$50K–$75Kapprox $250–$500 per sq ft8–16 seats
Destination600–900 sq ft$99K–$125Kapprox $250–$500 per sq ftFull dine-in

Build-out is worked through franchise based on your site, design choices and local conditions. All formats: 6% royalty, 2% brand marketing fund, technology $199–$299 per month. 15–22% store EBITDA target once mature; 18–24 month payback objective.

FishNChips Express franchise kitchen in Texas, a 250 to 400 sq ft counter with navy tile, fryer bank and lit menu board
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Express format kitchen build, 250–400 sq ft — a compact fryer bank, prep line and lit menu board that fits a cloud kitchen or food-court bay.

01 · The smallest way in

Express250–400 sq ft

Our entry-level format and the one we proved ourselves. A tight fry line, a pickup shelf and delivery tablets — no dining room to build, no front-of-house to staff. It drops into space you may already be paying rent on.

Where it goes

  • · Cloud & ghost kitchens
  • · Commissary kitchens
  • · Gas stations & travel centers
  • · Food courts & food halls
  • · Universities, hospitals, airports

How it runs

  • · Delivery, pickup and takeout led
  • · Minimal or no seating
  • · 1 full-time + 1 flexible team member
  • · Small, standardized equipment package
Franchise fee
$35,000
Extra build-out
approx $250–$500 per sq ft
Annual sales target
$500K – $900K
Team
1 FT + 1 PT/FT

Strategic purpose: Entry & volume. Build-out is sized with you through franchise — final design choices determine where you land in the range.

FishNChips Neighborhood franchise storefront in a Texas strip center, 500 to 700 sq ft with navy awning and Born in Texas signage
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Neighborhood format storefront, 500–700 sq ft — strip-center frontage with the navy awning and Born in Texas wordmark visible from the road.

02 · Our core format

Neighborhood500–700 sq ft

A real storefront in a strip center or neighborhood shopping plaza. Enough room for a handful of tables, a proper pickup window and signage your town can see from the road — still small enough for an owner-operator to run from the counter.

Where it goes

  • · Retail strip centers
  • · Neighborhood shopping centers
  • · High-density suburbs
  • · Mixed-use developments
  • · Small standalone retail

How it runs

  • · Strong storefront and street visibility
  • · 8–16 seats, limited dine-in
  • · Pickup, delivery and takeout balance
  • · Higher throughput at peak
Franchise fee
$50,000 – $75,000
Extra build-out
approx $250–$500 per sq ft
Annual sales target
$650K – $1.1M
Team
2–4 people

Strategic purpose: Core growth. Build-out is sized with you through franchise — final design choices determine where you land in the range.

FishNChips Destination flagship restaurant on a Texas main street, 600 to 900 sq ft with warm window light and brand signage
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Destination flagship, 600–900 sq ft — the brand-building room for main street, downtown and lifestyle centers.

03 · Main street & downtown

Destination600–900 sq ft

The brand-building room: main street, downtown, lifestyle centers. Warm light, the long communal table, the full menu and a sidewalk people want to sit on. Deployed selectively, in markets that deserve a flagship.

Where it goes

  • · Downtown & main street
  • · Lifestyle centers
  • · Premium retail & entertainment districts
  • · High-income neighborhoods
  • · Destination food centers

How it runs

  • · More seating and a full guest experience
  • · Premium design and lighting package
  • · Extended menu and specials
  • · Dine-in and takeout in balance
Franchise fee
$99,000 – $125,000
Extra build-out
approx $250–$500 per sq ft
Annual sales target
$800K – $1.5M+
Team
3–6+ people

Strategic purpose: Brand halo. Build-out is sized with you through franchise — final design choices determine where you land in the range.

FishNChips Born in Texas franchise flyer showing all three formats and franchise fees

One page, all three fees

The franchise flyer.

Everything on one sheet: the three low-investment models side by side with their franchise fees — Express $35,000, Neighborhood $50,000–$75,000, Destination $99,000–$125,000 — plus build-out guidance at $250–$500 per sq ft and what comes with every format. Same numbers as the brochure, easy to share with a partner or landlord.

Take the full pack with you

Download the franchise brochure.

A printable PDF with all three formats, the fee structure, the build-out guidance, what is included, and the next steps to talk with us.

Download franchise brochure

PDF · instant download

Ready to build

Franchise build-out checklist.

Every task from signed agreement to grand opening — shared core path plus format-specific sections for Express, Neighborhood and Destination, each with owners and target weeks. Print it and tick it off.

Download build-out checklist

PDF · 6 pages · all three formats

Estimate your start

Run the numbers for your town, your space, your build.

Pick a format, set your square footage, then tell us what kind of location and build-out you have in mind. The range updates as you go — and it travels with your enquiry, so we start the conversation on the same page.

1 — Format

250 sq ft400 sq ft

3 — Location type

4 — Build-out level

Estimated start range

$146,000 – $195,000

Express — 250–400 sq ft · 320 sq ft · Suburban / strip center · Standard build

Franchise fee
$35,000
Build-out ($290–$400 / sq ft)
$93,000 – $128,000
Opening costs & working capital
$18,000 – $32,000

Only the franchise fee is set by us. Build-out, equipment, permits and working capital are your costs at your site and are worked through franchise — this is a planning estimate, not an offer or a guarantee of results.

Send this estimate with my enquiry

What you get

Everything except the part only you can bring.

Recipes & fry-line spec

The signature batter, cut sheets, timings and portion standards — identical in every format.

Kitchen package for your format

Express, Neighborhood or Destination: layout, equipment schedule, signage and lighting drawn for your square footage.

Training & opening support

Two to three weeks of training, then friends-and-family service with our team standing next to yours.

Supply & sourcing

Fish partners, batter and seasoning program, packaging and the daily ordering rhythm.

Technology

POS, kitchen display, inventory, delivery integrations and your franchise dashboard.

Ongoing field support

Marketing playbook, menu innovation, quality checks and multi-unit growth planning.

The part we can’t ship: caring about the person on the other side of the counter. If you have that, the rest is teachable.

01

Talk

A real conversation about your town, your site and which format fits it.

02

Numbers

Full disclosure pack: format economics, build cost, timelines.

03

Build

10–12 weeks from permits to the first tray on the counter.

Franchise fees by format

Express · 250–400 sq ft
$35,000
Neighborhood · 500–700 sq ft
$50,000 – $75,000
Destination · 600–900 sq ft
$99,000 – $125,000

Build-out is worked through franchise and typically runs $250–$500 per sq ft depending on design choices.

Download franchise brochure

Your estimate travels with this

$146,000 – $195,000

Fee $35,000 · build-out $93,000 – $128,000

We reply personally, usually within two business days. Or send us a note for any online query.

Format-specific FAQ

The right answers for the format you are considering.

01 · Express

250–400 sq ft

Build-out timeline+

Express kitchens open fastest — typically 6–10 weeks from signed agreement to first tray. Speed depends on how ready the host space is (cloud kitchen, gas station kitchen, food court bay).

Requirements+

$35,000 franchise fee plus build-out at your site. Ideal for operators who already have a food-service space, delivery infrastructure, or a gas station / food court location. Restaurant experience is helpful but not required.

What is included+

The full recipe and fry-line spec, a compact equipment and layout package sized for 250–400 sq ft, two weeks of training, POS and kitchen display setup, delivery-platform integration, and the supply and sourcing playbook.

Typical locations+

Cloud / ghost kitchens, commissary kitchens, gas stations and travel centers, food courts and food halls, universities, hospitals and airports.

02 · Neighborhood

500–700 sq ft

Build-out timeline+

Neighborhood units typically take 10–14 weeks from site approval to opening. A strip-center suite with existing utilities can move toward the shorter end; a full shell build-out takes longer.

Requirements+

Franchise fee of $50,000–$75,000 depending on territory and site. You need 500–700 sq ft of retail or strip-center space, the local market knowledge to drive repeat guests, and capital for the site build-out at roughly $250–$500 per sq ft.

What is included+

A full storefront design and signage package, 8–16 seat dining layout, extended kitchen line, three weeks of training, grand-opening marketing support, technology stack, and ongoing field coaching.

Typical locations+

Retail strip centers, neighborhood shopping centers, high-density suburbs, mixed-use developments, and small standalone retail buildings.

03 · Destination

600–900 sq ft

Build-out timeline+

Destination locations take 12–16 weeks, sometimes longer for historic downtown or main-street sites where permits and design review add time. We start planning the guest experience before the first wall goes up.

Requirements+

Franchise fee of $99,000–$125,000. Best for experienced operators or multi-unit partners with 600–900 sq ft in a premium downtown, main-street or lifestyle-center location. Strong local relationships and a longer-term growth mindset matter here.

What is included+

A flagship design and lighting package, full dine-in experience design, premium menu extensions, up to three weeks of training, dedicated opening support, and priority access to brand campaigns and new product rollouts.

Typical locations+

Downtown and main street, lifestyle centers, premium retail and entertainment districts, high-income neighborhoods, and destination food centers.

Franchise FAQ

Training, timeline, and licensing — explained.

The questions we hear most from people who are serious about opening a FishNChips location. If you do not see your question, send it with your enquiry and we will answer it directly.

M

Training & Operations

What training do I receive before opening?+

Every franchise partner completes two to three weeks of hands-on training at an operating FishNChips location. You will work the fry line, learn the batter and timing standards, practice the POS and kitchen display systems, and run a mock service day. If your team needs more time, we extend training until everyone is confident and consistent.

Who can attend training?+

The franchisee and up to two designated managers attend at no extra charge. Additional team members or future shift leaders can be added for a per-person fee. We recommend the people who will actually open the store every day come with you.

Do you help with hiring and opening labor?+

Yes. We provide job descriptions, interview guides, onboarding checklists, and a recommended opening-week staffing plan. During friends-and-family service, our trainer stands beside your crew to coach speed, accuracy and hospitality.

What happens after I open?+

You get a dedicated franchise business coach, quarterly business reviews, menu innovation updates, operational audits, and access to a private partner channel. Support does not end on opening day — it is how we keep the brand consistent.

Do I need restaurant experience?+

Restaurant experience helps, but it is not required. We look for people who care about hospitality, follow systems, and want to lead a small team. The operations are simple by design; the discipline is what matters.

T

Opening Timeline

How long does it take to open an Express location?+

Express locations — cloud kitchens, food courts, gas stations — typically open in 6–10 weeks from signed agreement. The biggest variable is how ready the host space is: a kitchen with existing ventilation and utilities moves fastest; a raw space needs more time.

How long does a Neighborhood or Destination location take?+

Neighborhood units usually take 10–14 weeks, and Destination flagship locations take 12–16 weeks. Historic downtown or main-street sites with design-review or liquor-board requirements can add a few weeks.

What are the main steps from enquiry to opening?+

Talk → Numbers → Site → Agreement → Design → Build → Training → Soft Opening → Grand Opening. We walk through permits, equipment ordering, utility checks, signage, and your first marketing push together.

When should I start looking for a site?+

You can start immediately, and we encourage it. The best enquiries come with a location in mind. We review sites before the franchise agreement is signed to make sure the format, utilities, and customer flow make sense.

Can I open faster if I already have a kitchen?+

Often, yes. If you already operate a permitted food-service space and only need to add our fry-line package, branding, and training, we can move on an accelerated timeline. We still require the full training and quality check before you serve guests.

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Licensing & Agreements

What franchise agreement do I sign?+

You sign a standard FishNChips franchise agreement that grants you the right to operate one location under our brand, recipes, systems, and supply program. The term is typically ten years with a renewal option.

Is there a territory or protected area?+

Yes. Each franchise partner receives a defined trade area based on population density, drive-time, and existing locations. We do not overbuild, and we will not place another company or franchised unit inside your protected territory without discussion.

What licenses and permits do I need?+

You are responsible for all local business licenses, food-handler permits, health department approvals, sales-tax permits, and any alcohol or signage permits required by your city. We provide a permit checklist and review your documents before opening.

Can I operate multiple units?+

Yes. Many partners start with an Express kitchen and add Neighborhood or Destination units once the first store is running clean. Multi-unit operators may negotiate a development agreement with schedule and fee commitments.

Can I sell or transfer my franchise?+

A franchise is transferable with our approval and the buyer completing our training and qualification process. We want to protect the brand and make sure the next operator is ready to carry the same standards.

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Investment & Fees

What is the franchise fee for each format?+

Express is $35,000. Neighborhood is $50,000–$75,000 depending on territory and site. Destination is $99,000–$125,000. These are the fees for the brand license, training, and initial support package.

What are the ongoing fees?+

6% royalty on gross sales and a 2% brand marketing fund. Technology — POS, kitchen display, inventory, analytics, loyalty, and ordering — runs approximately $199–$299 per month per location.

How much does build-out cost?+

We do not quote a single total investment because every site is different. Build-out typically runs $250–$500 per sq ft depending on design choices, existing infrastructure, and local construction costs. We work through this with you during the site-review phase.

What sales and returns should I plan for?+

Planning benchmarks are $500K–$900K for Express, $650K–$1.1M for Neighborhood, and $800K–$1.5M+ for Destination. Store EBITDA target is 15–22% once mature, with an 18–24 month payback objective. These are benchmarks, not guarantees.