Popbar Franchise Cost, Revenue & Review 2026
- Investment
- $217K – $461K
- Disclosed sales
- not disclosed
- SBA charge-off
- Under 10 loans (2)
Data from FDD filing + SBA 7(a) records
Analysis by FranchiseVerdict Research · Methodology
Popbar is a dessert franchise serving handcrafted gelato, sorbet, and yogurt on a stick with dips and toppings. Franchisees run the shops, managing product prep, staffing, and counter service.
FranchiseVerdict summary · 2026
A Popbar franchise requires a total initial investment of $217K – $461K, including a $35K franchise fee and an ongoing 6.0% royalty[2]. This franchisor makes no financial performance representation in Item 19 of its FDD. Item 19 is voluntary under the FTC Franchise Rule, and this filing states that it makes none, so no revenue or earnings figures are disclosed. Declining to publish one is lawful and is not evidence of how the outlets perform. It does mean that less about this brand can be verified from its filing, and the FranchiseVerdict grade - an editorial assessment, not investment advice - reflects that. FranchiseVerdict grade: D (Below average), an editorial assessment, not investment advice. Run a live ROI scan →
Sources, dates and evidence
FDD issued: · Data extracted: · Last cited check: · Staleness risk: high - issued more than two years ago
Evidence: strong✓ Investment (Item 7)✓ Item 19 status✓ Units and owners (Item 20)✗ SBA loan coverage✓ Litigation (Item 3)✓ Financial statements (Item 21)✓ Franchisor identityhow this is scored5 of 5 headline figures on this page cite a page of the filing.
Overview
- Investment
- $217K – $461K
- 28th pct Service Resta…
- Avg gross sales
- N/A
- Royalty
- 6.0%
- 48th pct Service Resta…
- Units
- 16
- 46th pct Service Resta…
- SBA charge-off
- N/A
Quick verdict · Quick-Service Restaurants · color = vs category peers
Green = favorable by >10% vs Quick-Service Restaurants median · No shading = within ±10% · Red = unfavorable by >10% · Source: FDD filings + SBA 7(a)
Data from public FDD filings and SBA records. Not financial advice. Methodology
Bottom line
- COSTTotal investment $217K – $461K including a $35K franchise fee, 6.0% ongoing royalty.
- RETURNSThis franchisor makes no financial performance representation in Item 19 of its FDD. Item 19 is voluntary under the FTC Franchise Rule, and this filing states that it makes none, so no revenue or earnings figures are disclosed. Declining to publish one is lawful and is not evidence of how the outlets perform. It does mean that less about this brand can be verified from its filing, and the FranchiseVerdict grade - an editorial assessment, not investment advice - reflects that.
- RISKVerdict D (Below average), verdict score 29/100 (higher is better).
- GROWTHNegative: net -5 franchised outlets in the latest year (0 opened, 5 closed); 5 signed but not yet open (Item 20).
- DATAThis franchisor makes no financial performance representation in Item 19 of its FDD. Item 19 is voluntary under the FTC Franchise Rule, and this filing states that it makes none, so no revenue or earnings figures are disclosed. Declining to publish one is lawful and is not evidence of how the outlets perform. It does mean that less about this brand can be verified from its filing, and the FranchiseVerdict grade - an editorial assessment, not investment advice - reflects that. Item 20 of the FDD lists current and former franchisees; asking them directly is the standard way to fill this gap.
Item 1 · who you're contracting with
The Franchisor
Corporate structure & franchisor financials
- Legal entity
- Pop Bar Franchising LLC
- CEO title
- Owner
- Reuben Ben Jehuda
- Incorporated in
- NY
- HQ
- 15 West 38th Street, New York, New York 10018
- Auditor
- Ira D. Canzfried, CPA, P.C.
- Audited financials
- Franchisor revenue
- $266K
- vs $460K prior year
Overview
About
- CEO
- Reuben Ben Jehuda
- Headquarters
- NY
- Founded
- 2010
- FDD year
- 2023
- States available
- 8
Can you afford it, and what does the money buy?
Entry cost runs 30% below the typical quick-service restaurants franchise.
Source: FDD 2023 · Items 5–7
Full Item 7 breakdown17 line items
Initial investment breakdown
| Line item | Low | High | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Feenot refundable | $35K | $35K | |
| Rent - 3 Monthsnot refundable | $9K | $30K | |
| Security Deposits | $6K | $30K | |
| Leasehold Improvements, Furniturenot refundable | $60K | $120K | |
| Equipmentnot refundable | $70K | $100K | |
| POS Computer Systemnot refundable | $1K | $3K | |
| Insurance - Three Monthsnot refundable | $2K | $5K | |
| Permits and Licensesnot refundable | $1K | $5K | |
| Initial Inventorynot refundable | $10K | $30K | |
| Shipping Costs for Proprietary Product Mixesnot refundable | $1K | $5K | |
| Signage, Facadenot refundable | $3K | $20K | |
| Grand Opening Advertisingnot refundable | $3K | $5K | |
| Layoutsnot refundable | $3K | $13K | |
| Layout Review Feenot refundable | $1K | $2K | |
| Travel Expenses for Trainingnot refundable | $1K | $4K | |
| Professional Feesnot refundable | $2K | $5K | |
| Additional Fundsnot refundable | $10K | $50K | |
| Total initial investment | $217K | $461K |
Line items extracted from FDD Item 7. Ranges reflect the franchisor's stated low and high per line. Total is the sum of line-item lows / highs — actual costs may fall outside this range depending on market and build-out scope.
Item 7 · what it costs to open + operate
The Vitals
- Total investment
- $217K – $461K
- Top 40% of category vs category
- Liquid capital req'd
- $10K – $50K
- Top 40% of category vs category
- Franchise fee
- $35K – $35K
- Middle of category vs category
- Royalty
- 6.0%
- typical 6–8%
- Ad fund
- 2.0%
- typical 3–5%
- Total fee load
- 8.0%
- vs 9–13% typical
Ongoing fees · Item 6
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Royalty | 6.0% of gross sales |
| Marketing / ad fund | 2.0% of gross sales |
| Technology fee | $300 |
| Training fee | $100 |
| Transfer fee | $35K |
| Renewal fee | $20K |
| Inventory (initial) | $10K – $30K |
| Total fee load | 8.0% of rev |
ROI & LBO modelsSingle-unit · 25-unit portfolio · editable
Popbar makes no financial performance representation in Item 19 of its FDD - a voluntary item under the FTC Franchise Rule - so no unit revenue figures are disclosed. The return models need a revenue figure to start from, and the operating costs that turn gross sales into a profit are in no FDD. Enter your own and the calculator runs on your assumptions — nothing here is modelled until you do.
Returns model · single-unit ROIC
What would one Popbar unit return on the cash you put in?
Illustrative category typicals — not sourced to any filing, survey or sample. Replace them with figures from franchisee validation calls before you rely on the output.
Unlevered ROIC · per unit
Your modelled return on total invested capital, before any debt financing.
—
An FDD discloses gross sales, not profit. We hold no sourced figure for annual revenue, COGS, labour, rent / occupancy and other operating costs, and will not substitute an assumed one. Enter your own and the model runs on your assumptions.
These models are for research and scenario planning only. Not investment advice. Actual results depend on your specific location, management, and market conditions. Consult a franchise attorney and accountant before signing any franchise agreement.
Item 19 · Source: 2023 FDD
Financial Performance
No financial performance representation
This franchisor makes no financial performance representation in Item 19 of its FDD. Item 19 is voluntary under the FTC Franchise Rule, and this filing states that it makes none, so no revenue or earnings figures are disclosed. Declining to publish one is lawful and is not evidence of how the outlets perform. It does mean that less about this brand can be verified from its filing, and the FranchiseVerdict grade - an editorial assessment, not investment advice - reflects that.
Item 20 of the FDD lists current and former franchisees; asking them directly is the standard way to fill this gap.
Operator outlook
What the numbers say
Data-driven interpretation of this brand's financial disclosures, fee structure, and system trajectory.
Fee burden
Total ongoing fee load of 8.0% (near the Quick-Service Restaurants median).
Disclosure
This franchisor makes no financial performance representation in Item 19 of its FDD. Item 19 is voluntary under the FTC Franchise Rule, and this filing states that it makes none, so no revenue or earnings figures are disclosed. Declining to publish one is lawful and is not evidence of how the outlets perform. It does mean that less about this brand can be verified from its filing, and the FranchiseVerdict grade - an editorial assessment, not investment advice - reflects that. Item 20 of the FDD lists current and former franchisees; asking them directly is the standard way to fill this gap.
Operator retention
System contracting at -21.1% CAGR over 3 years. Investigate whether closures are franchisor-driven consolidation or franchisee exits.
Source: FDD Item 19 financial performance representations and publicly filed FDD data. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Verify all figures with the franchisor and current franchisees before making any investment decision.
vs Quick-Service Restaurants medians
How Popbar Compares
Category median of published Quick-Service Restaurants brands that report the figure; the middle half spans the 25th to 75th percentile and n counts the brands behind it. Medians are used because a few very large systems pull an average far from the typical brand. Revenue is disclosed gross sales, not profit.
Is the system healthy?
Source: FDD 2023 · Item 20
Unit growth
Item 20 · unit dynamics
The Growth Chart
- Total units
- 16
- Opened
- 0
- Last reporting year
- Closed
- 5
- Terminated
- 0
- Franchisor ended the franchise (per Item 20)
- Non-renewed
- 0
- Term expired, not renewed (per Item 20)
- Turnover rate
- 31.3%
- Company-owned
- 1
- Corporate units in the system
- % franchised
- 94%
- vs corporate-owned
- Net growth (3-yr)
- -21.1%
- Net unit change over 3 years
- 3-yr CAGR
- -21.1%
- Compounded over last 3 years
Last fiscal year · Item 20 exits and transfers
- Terminated
- 0
- Not renewed
- 0
- Transferred
- 0
- Reacquired
- 0
- Franchisor bought back
- Signed, not yet open
- 5
- 0.31 per open outlet · Item 20 Table 5
- Projected new
- 25
- Franchisor's next-year forecast
- Continuity rate
- 75.0%
- Units that stayed open
- Ceased ops
- 31.3%
- Units that stopped operating
Year-over-year franchised unit counts and net change. Source: FDD Item 20.
Item 12 · 8 states reported
The Territory Map
FDD Item 12 reports the state count, but the specific list isn't in our current data. The map will appear once we re-extract from the FDD or enough franchisee contacts are available.
8
states with franchisees (per FDD Item 12)
SBA loan performance
Government records
SBA Loan Data
Aggregated from SBA loan disclosures. This brand has only 2 7(a) loans on file; statistical reliability is limited below 10 loans.
- Total loans
- 2
- Loan volume
- $438K
- Median loan
- $219K
- 50th percentile
- Charge-off rate
- Under 10 loans (2)
- Insufficient SBA coverage: 2 loans, rate hidden below 10
Historical SBA 7(a) lending data, not predictive of future performance. How SBA charge-off rates are calculated
- Repayment rate (PIF)
- Under 10 loans (2)
- 5-yr charge-off
- Under 10 loans (2)
- Loans approved 2021+
- Active lenders
- 2
- Defaults
- N/A
Explore lender portfolios on Bank Reports or regional data on State Reports.
What could kill this investment?
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA · FDD Items 3, 21
Risk analysis
FranchiseVerdict rating + FDD Items 3, 4, 8, 16, 21
Risk & Legal
Popbar exhibits high-risk characteristics with a collapsing unit base (-25% YoY), undisclosed financials, fraud-adjacent litigation, and questionable franchisor solvency—making it unsuitable for most franchise investors.
Litigation (Item 3)
Subject: the franchisor is a named party (defendant).
Thoroughbred Foods II, LLC, Vishaal Desai and Sagar Leva v. Pop Bar Franchising LLC (Case No. 22-CI-03343, Fayette Circuit Court, KY, filed 11/17/2022). Plaintiffs claimed franchise agreement was never executed and sought $42,500 franchise fee refund based on unjust enrichment and fraud/misrepresentation. Settled 3/27/2023; franchisor paid $17,500.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
None disclosed
Audited financials (Item 21)
Yes · Ira D. Canzfried, CPA, P.C.
Franchisor revenue (Item 21)
Franchisor entity revenue (not unit-level)
Audited financial statements of Pop Bar Franchising, LLC (a development stage company), balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 and statement of operations for the year then ended. Only one audited year presented. Total assets $1,490,103 = total liabilities $186,352 + members' equity $1,303,751. Other income of $1,000 is an EIDL grant. Revenue $265,801 is the franchisor entity's total revenue.
Supplier relationship · Items 8 & 16
- Franchisor sells you products: Yes
- Kickbacks from required suppliers: Yes
- Must buy proprietary products: Yes
- Restricted to system-approved products: Yes
- Can negotiate own supplier terms: No
Score breakdown · what drove the 29 / 100 verdict
- 01MED25% unit decline YoY (16 units) indicates system contraction and potential franchisee dissatisfaction
- 02HIGHLitigation involving fraud and unjust enrichment claims suggests franchisor-franchisee trust issues and possible operational/contractual problems
- 03MINORNo Item 19 (average revenue/profit disclosure) prevents validation of investment ROI claims
- 04MINORHigh initial investment ($217k-$461k) combined with 6% royalty creates significant break-even pressure in declining system
- 05MINORSettlement of $17,500 (41% of claimed $42,500) suggests franchisor liability but weak legal position
Severity inferred from the FDD text · not a regulatory classification
What are you signing up for?
Ongoing fees run about 8.0% of sales (royalty + ad fund), before rent and labor.
Source: FDD 2023 · Items 11, 12, 17
FDD Items 12, 15, 17 · continued from Risk & Legal
Contract & Territory Detail
| Initial term | 10 years |
|---|---|
| Renewal term | 10 years |
| Allowed renewalsℹ | 1 |
| Territory type | Protected territory |
| Protected territory | Yes |
| Exclusive territoryℹ | No |
| Territory radius | 5 mi |
| Online sales rights | Restricted |
| Franchisor can compete | Yes |
| Hire a manager? | Allowed |
| Owner-operator | Optional |
| Non-compete (years)ℹ | 2 years |
| Non-compete (miles)ℹ | 10 mi |
| Right of first refusalℹ | Yes |
| RoFR response window | 30 days |
| Transfer requires consent | Yes |
| Termination notice | 30 days |
| Mandatory arbitration | Yes |
| Arbitration location | New York |
| Jury trial waiver | No |
| Governing law | NY |
| Litigation count | 1 |
View Item 3 litigation summary
Thoroughbred Foods II, LLC, Vishaal Desai and Sagar Leva v. Pop Bar Franchising LLC (Case No. 22-CI-03343, Fayette Circuit Court, KY, filed 11/17/2022). Plaintiffs claimed franchise agreement was never executed and sought $42,500 franchise fee refund based on unjust enrichment and fraud/misrepresentation. Settled 3/27/2023; franchisor paid $17,500.
Items 10, 11
Training & Operations
- Classroom training
- 6 hrs
- On-the-job training
- 16 hrs
- Training location
- Franchisor headquarters New York City / Franchisor Store
- Ongoing training
- Optional
- Site selection
- Franchisee selects, subject to franchisor approval
- Franchisor financing
- Not offered
- Item 10
Items 5 & 11
Franchisor Support
Item 20 · call current owners
Franchisee Contacts
18 owners to call
Name · phone · city · state. Extracted from FDD Item 20
Frequently asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a Popbar franchise?
The total investment to open a Popbar franchise ranges from $217K – $461K, with an initial franchise fee of $35K. This includes real estate, equipment, inventory, and working capital as disclosed in their Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).
What do Popbar franchise owners earn?
Popbar makes no financial performance representation in Item 19 of its FDD - a voluntary item under the FTC Franchise Rule - so no unit revenue figures are disclosed. Declining to publish one is lawful and is not evidence of how the outlets perform. It does mean that less about this brand can be verified from its filing, and the FranchiseVerdict grade - an editorial assessment, not investment advice - reflects that. Item 20 of the FDD lists current and former franchisees; asking them directly is the standard way to fill this gap.
Who owns Popbar?
Popbar is franchised by Pop Bar Franchising LLC. Source: FDD Item 1, 2023 filing.
What is Item 19 in the Popbar FDD?
The FDD section where a franchisor may disclose financial performance of its outlets. Disclosure is optional and formats vary; figures are typically gross sales, which is revenue before expenses, not profit. FranchiseVerdict extracts these figures directly from the Popbar FDD and qualifies whose outlets they describe.
What is Popbar's franchise failure rate?
SBA 7(a) loan charge-off data is not available for Popbar (fewer than 10 loans on file). Charge-off rates are one way to gauge franchise risk, but not all franchise loans go through the SBA program. We recommend reviewing turnover and closure data in the FDD and speaking with current franchisees.
How many Popbar franchise locations are there?
As of their most recent FDD filing, Popbar has 16 total units in the United States, including 15 franchised units and 1 company-owned units.
Is Popbar a good franchise to buy?
FranchiseVerdict rates Popbar as a D-grade franchise with a verdict score of 29 out of 100 (higher is better). The grade is a deterministic score built from six weighted dimensions — financial health, unit economics, unit growth, scale, legal, and transparency — then calibrated against SBA loan charge-off rates and FDD age. Transparency is one of the six, so a filing that discloses less scores lower on that dimension than one that discloses more. Our rating is based solely on publicly available FDD and government data; we recommend speaking with current franchisees before making any investment decision. This is not investment advice.
Data sourced from public FDD filings and SBA 7(a) FOIA records. Not financial advice.
For franchisors
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Data extracted from public FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan disclosures (FOIA). This information is provided for research purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice. Verify all figures with the franchisor's current Franchise Disclosure Document before making any investment decision.