Matchbox^®

Food & Beverage • Year: 2024

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What Is Matchbox?

Matchbox is a chef-driven casual dining franchise featuring wood-fired pizzas, mini burgers, fresh salads and other chef-inspired entrées prepared from high-quality ingredients. Restaurants operate primarily as dine-in establishments and, with the franchisor’s written permission, may offer delivery, take-away and catering services (catering being a potential additional revenue stream). Matchbox locations are typically free-standing units or end units in shopping centers and generally require about 4,500 to 5,500 square feet.

Matchbox Franchise: Pros and Cons

The franchise earns a perfect 100 training-and-support score, reflecting robust onboarding and hands-on operational help, but estimated startup costs of $1.1M–$2.306M — including a $60,000 initial franchise fee and $50,000 minimum reserves — create high financing needs and ongoing cash cushions for operators.

Pros

The training and support score is 100, well above typical for franchisors, which translates into robust onboarding and hands‑on operational support.

Total disclosed lawsuits, franchisee judgments, settlements, government penalties and franchisor enforcement actions are all zero, a favorable legal record that reduces litigation and compliance friction.

Outlet terminations, reacquired locations and signed-but-not-open units are all zero, indicating unusually low operator churn and greater system stability.

Cons

The initial franchise fee is $60,000, well above what's common in food & beverage, increasing the upfront cash required to get started.

Estimated total startup costs range from $1.1M to $2.306M, both figures well above industry peers — you should plan for the possibility of costs reaching the high end (real estate/build‑out or equipment) and larger financing needs.

Required minimum reserves are $50,000, above typical for the sector, which signals higher ongoing monthly operating costs and a larger cash cushion needed before opening.

Lawsuits & Legal Risk

100

Excellent

The franchise reported no material legal proceedings.

Territory Protection

48/100

NORMAL

Grants a protected area where the franchisor will not place other physical units. The franchisor retains rights to develop nearby units, sell via e-commerce and alternative channels, operate through alternative venues and retail, and acquire or convert sites; protection is contingent on meeting performance quotas and governed by market-density considerations.

Training & Support

100

Excellent

Matchbox delivers a comprehensive 172-hour training curriculum designed to prepare four individuals for launch, combining classroom instruction, hands-on operational training, and managerial development. The program includes on-site launch support focused on operational readiness; on-site services incur additional fees, and franchisees are responsible for travel and living expenses.

How Much Does It Cost to Open a Matchbox Franchise?

Opening a Matchbox franchise requires a total initial investment of $1,100,000 to $2,306,000, according to the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. This range covers the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and initial working capital needed to launch and operate through the early months.

Minimum Investment

$1,100,000

Franchise Fee

Real Estate

Equipment & Assets

Reserves

Training

Other

Maximum Investment

$2,306,000

Minimum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$60,000

Real Estate$822,500

Equipment & Assets$37,500

Reserves$50,000

Training$1,000

Other$129,000

Maximum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$60,000

Real Estate$1,697,500

Equipment & Assets$77,500

Reserves$100,000

Training$10,000

Other$361,000

Investment Analysis

This investment analysis is coming soon. Have ideas for other analyses you'd like us to add? Get in touch.

The initial investment amounts shown are estimates only. Actual costs may vary based on location size, business model, and multi-unit ownership arrangements. We recommend reviewing the full Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.

Matchbox Franchise Earnings: Not Disclosed

Matchbox did not disclose financial performance data (Item 19) in their 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. Not all franchisors choose to publish this information, which can make it harder for prospective owners to evaluate expected revenue before investing.

This franchise company did not publish these results.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to open a Matchbox franchise?

The total initial investment for a Matchbox franchise ranges from $1,100,000 to $2,306,000, according to the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and working capital.

What is the Matchbox initial franchise fee?

The initial franchise fee for Matchbox is $60,000, as stated in the 2024 FDD. This fee is paid upon signing the Franchise Agreement.

Does Matchbox disclose franchise revenue data?

Matchbox did not disclose financial performance data (Item 19) in their 2024 FDD. Not all franchisors choose to publish this information.

Does Matchbox have any franchise lawsuits or legal issues?

Matchbox received a legal risk score of 100 out of 100 in the 2024 FDD analysis. The franchise reported no material legal proceedings.

Does Matchbox offer exclusive franchise territories?

Matchbox received a territory protection score of 48 out of 100. Grants a protected area where the franchisor will not place other physical units.

What training does Matchbox provide to new franchisees?

Matchbox received a training and support score of 100 out of 100. Matchbox delivers a comprehensive 172-hour training curriculum designed to prepare four individuals for launch, combining classroom instruction, hands-on operational training, and managerial development.

How many Matchbox franchise locations are there?

Matchbox had 13 total locations as of the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document.

What type of business is Matchbox?

Matchbox is a chef-driven casual dining franchise featuring wood-fired pizzas, mini burgers, fresh salads and other chef-inspired entrées prepared from high-quality ingredients.

Interested in Matchbox?

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