FDD Analysis Report
Blimpie
Kahala Franchising, LLC
Key Metrics At-a-Glance
See FDD
See FDD
See FDD
of gross sales
See FDD
of gross sales
See FDD
See FDD
N/A
Not disclosed
About This Franchise
# Blimpie Franchise Intelligence Report
## Executive Summary
Blimpie is a classic American sub sandwich franchise owned by Kahala Brands, operating approximately 101 locations in the US and Kuwait. Investment ranges from $80K-$375K for non-traditional Express units to $242K-$564K for traditional restaurants. The brand offers a unique prefabricated Express unit option that can be assembled in days, providing one of the lowest entry points in sandwich franchising. 20% military discount available.
## The Business
Blimpie operates sub sandwich shops serving fresh-sliced meats, cheeses, and vegetables on freshly baked bread. Founded in 1964, the brand is now part of Kahala Brands portfolio of 28+ quick-service concepts. Location formats include traditional restaurants and Express units for non-traditional venues.
## The Numbers
**Traditional Restaurant:** - Total Investment: $242,270 - $564,200
**Non-Traditional/Express:** - Total Investment: $80,780 - $359,450
**Fees:** - Royalty: 6% of gross sales - Marketing: 4% of gross sales - Minimum Net Worth: $125,000 - Minimum Liquid Capital: $75,000 - Franchise Fee: 20% military discount
## System Health
- Total Locations: ~101 - Geographic Coverage: US and Kuwait - Parent Company: Kahala Brands - Ownership: Primarily franchised
## Franchisee Experience
Blimpie Express offers revolutionary prefabricated units delivered in three sections, assembled in days. This dramatically reduces buildout time and cost. Backed by Kahala Brands infrastructure with support for operations, marketing, and training.
## Risk Assessment
Concerns: Small system (101 locations) limits brand recognition, competing against Subway and Jersey Mikes with much larger footprints, sandwich category is highly competitive.
Strengths: Low Express entry point ($80K), Kahala Brands backing, prefab units reduce time to open, 20% military discount, established 60-year brand.
## Verdict: MODERATE
Blimpie offers one of the lowest entry points in sandwich franchising via the Express model. Kahala Brands backing provides infrastructure support. However, competing against Subway, Jersey Mikes, and Jimmy Johns with only 101 locations is challenging. Best suited for non-traditional venues (airports, colleges, hospitals) where the Express format excels.
Ongoing Fees
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Royalty | See FDD of Gross Revenue | - |
| Brand Fund | See FDD of Gross Revenue | - |
Item 19: Financial Performance Representations
No Financial Performance Representations
This franchisor does not provide Item 19 financial performance representations. Approximately 35% of franchisors choose to disclose this information.
Recommendation: Request financial information directly from existing franchisees listed in Exhibit I during your due diligence. Contact 10-15 franchisees to gather revenue and profitability data before making an investment decision.
Learn more about Item 19 disclosures →Risk Assessment
Items to Review
No notable items identified
Positive Indicators
Review FDD for positive factors
Due Diligence Recommendations
Contact 10-15 existing franchisees to gather operational and financial insights
Franchisee interviews are the most valuable source of information about day-to-day operations and realistic financial expectations.
Have a franchise attorney review the Franchise Agreement
Professional legal review can identify unfavorable terms and potential negotiation points.
Research local market conditions and competition
Understanding your specific market is essential for success, regardless of system-wide performance.
Download Complete FDD
Access the full Franchise Disclosure Document including all 23 items, exhibits, and financial statements.
Learn More About FDDs
New to franchise investing? Our educational guides will help you understand what to look for in the Blimpie FDD.
The Ultimate Guide to FDDs
Learn how to read and analyze Franchise Disclosure Documents
Understanding Item 7: Initial Investment
How to evaluate franchise investment costs
FDD Item 5: Initial Fees Explained
What you pay upfront to become a franchisee
Item 20: Franchisee Information
Analyze system growth and contact franchisees
About Blimpie Franchise
Blimpie is a franchise that offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to own and operate their own business within an established system. As of the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchise continues to expand its footprint nationwide. This analysis provides prospective franchisees with key insights from the FDD to support informed investment decisions.
Blimpie Franchise Cost
The total initial investment required to open a Blimpie franchise ranges from See FDD for details. This investment includes the initial franchise fee of See FDD for details, along with expenses for real estate, equipment, inventory, training, and working capital to sustain operations during the initial period. Ongoing fees include a royalty fee of See FDD of gross sales. Prospective franchisees should review Item 7 of the FDD for a complete breakdown of estimated initial investment costs.
Blimpie Item 19 Financial Performance
Blimpie does not provide financial performance representations in Item 19 of their FDD. Approximately 35% of franchisors choose to disclose this information. Without franchisor-provided financial data, prospective franchisees should contact existing franchisees directly to gather information about revenue, expenses, and profitability. The franchisee contact list in Exhibit I provides names and contact information for current and former franchise owners.
Blimpie Franchise Growth and System Health
The Blimpie franchise system has shown stable performance based on unit count data from Item 20 of the FDD. Prospective franchisees should examine the historical data on unit openings, closings, and transfers to understand the system's trajectory and identify any concerning trends.
Blimpie Franchise Investment Considerations
The Blimpie FDD contains important disclosures that prospective franchisees should carefully review before making an investment decision. Key factors to evaluate include the franchise fee structure, ongoing royalty requirements, territory rights, termination history, and franchisor support systems. Every franchise investment carries risk, and this analysis should be combined with professional legal and financial advice. Review the complete FDD and speak with current franchisees to gain a comprehensive understanding of the opportunity.
Due Diligence Recommendations for Blimpie
Before investing in a Blimpie franchise, prospective franchisees should:
- Contact multiple existing franchisees to gather operational and financial insights
- Have a franchise attorney review the Franchise Agreement and all exhibits
- Research local market conditions and competitive landscape
- Develop a detailed business plan with realistic financial projections
- Verify all information provided by the franchisor independently
Download the Blimpie FDD
Access the complete Blimpie Franchise Disclosure Document, including all 23 Items, exhibits, franchise agreement, and audited financial statements. FreeFDDs™ provides free access to FDDs to promote franchise transparency and help prospective franchisees make informed decisions. The FDD contains critical information that should be reviewed in its entirety before making any investment decision.
Disclaimer
This analysis report is provided for informational purposes only. The data presented has been extracted from the Franchise Disclosure Document and may contain errors or omissions.
Prospective franchisees should conduct their own due diligence, review the complete FDD document, and consult with qualified legal and financial advisors before making any investment decisions.