Moe's Southwest Grill franchise startup costs run $268K–$751K for a fast-casual Mexican concept owned by Focus Brands. The brand's 'Welcome to Moe's!' call-out culture and flexible footprint make it a mid-range entry point into the fast-casual Mexican segment.
Moe's Southwest Grill is a fast-casual Mexican franchise founded in Atlanta in 2000. The brand is owned by Focus Brands, which also operates Carvel, Cinnabon, Jamba, Auntie Anne's, McAlister's Deli, and Schlotzsky's. Moe's positions itself as the fun, irreverent alternative in the fast-casual Mexican segment — the 'Welcome to Moe's!' greeting shouted at every customer entry is a brand signature. The menu centers on burritos, bowls, tacos, and quesadillas with customizable toppings. As of 2026, Moe's operates 650+ locations predominantly across the Eastern US, with strong suburban strip-center and food court penetration.
Per the current FDD filed under the FTC Franchise Rule (16 CFR Part 436), total estimated initial investment for a Moe's Southwest Grill franchise runs $268,000–$751,000. Key cost components:
Moe's charges a 5% royalty on gross sales plus a 4% advertising fund contribution, for a combined 9% of gross sales. The 4% ad fund reflects Focus Brands' shared marketing infrastructure across its franchise portfolio. Operators also pay a technology fee for the POS and online ordering platform.
Moe's Southwest Grill is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, qualifying franchisees for expedited SBA loan processing. Common financing structures:
Fast-casual Mexican franchises with Focus Brands infrastructure typically target break-even within 18–36 months. The lower investment floor relative to QSR burger concepts means lower break-even revenue requirements. Moe's strong lunch traffic in suburban trade areas supports consistent weekday volume. Operators who execute catering and online ordering from day one typically reach profitability at the faster end of the range.
Moe's Southwest Grill suits operators who want a proven fast-casual Mexican concept with Focus Brands' multi-brand infrastructure. Prior restaurant or QSR management experience accelerates the ramp. The flexible footprint — inline, end-cap, and food court formats — gives Moe's broader site selection options than concepts requiring drive-through lanes. Net worth of $300K+ and liquid capital of $100K+ are the typical financial benchmarks.
Focus Brands operates multiple SBA-eligible concepts (Carvel, Cinnabon, Jamba, Auntie Anne's, McAlister's, Schlotzsky's). Multi-concept operators can sometimes structure a single SBA package covering multiple Focus Brand locations — ask your lender about multi-concept structuring before signing additional franchise agreements.
ClearValue Lending works with fast-casual restaurant franchise operators on SBA, equipment, and working capital financing. Apply for franchise financing at Find my match. Your file routes to one matched lender.
Per the current FDD, total estimated initial investment runs $268,000–$751,000. The franchise fee is $25,000. Leasehold improvements and kitchen equipment are the primary cost drivers, with the wide range reflecting location size and market.
Moe's Southwest Grill is owned by Focus Brands, a multi-brand franchise platform that also owns Carvel, Cinnabon, Jamba, Auntie Anne's, McAlister's Deli, and Schlotzsky's. Focus Brands is headquartered in Atlanta.
Moe's charges a 5% royalty on gross sales plus a 4% advertising fund contribution, for a combined 9% of gross sales.
Yes. Moe's is on the SBA Franchise Directory. SBA 7(a) covers the franchise fee, build-out, equipment, and working capital within the $268K–$751K investment range. Kitchen equipment can also be financed separately via equipment lending.
As of 2026, Moe's operates 650+ locations predominantly across the Eastern US, with concentration in suburban strip centers, food courts, and campus locations.
Lenders typically require DSCR of 1.25×–1.35× on stabilized-year projections. For Moe's, underwriters stress-test the model at the combined 9% fee load (5% royalty + 4% ad fund) before calculating EBITDA. Build a year-2 pro forma showing DSCR above 1.25× at your projected AUV — $900K–$1.3M AUV is common for well-located strip-center units.
SBA policy and most lender overlays require 20–25% equity injection on franchise startups. For Moe's, that's roughly $54K–$188K (20% of the $268K–$751K investment range). Equity can be cash at closing, a 401(k) rollover (ROBS structure), or — in a franchise acquisition scenario — a seller note that meets SBA on-full-standby requirements.