Sourdough & Co is a fast-casual restaurant franchise serving sandwiches, soups and salads built around sourdough bread. According to its 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), the estimated initial investment is $330,000 to $589,025, including a $49,500 franchise fee. This guide covers startup costs, ongoing fees, disclosed sales, territory, training and ownership requirements.

About this article. Sourdough & Co is a paying member of the Franchise Brokers Association (FBA). FBA is paid by the franchisors it works with, and FBA brokers earn a commission when a candidate they work with buys a franchise. Check every figure here against Sourdough & Co’s current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), and review it with a franchise attorney before you invest.

What is a Sourdough & Co franchise?

A Sourdough & Co franchise is a dine-in and carry-out sandwich restaurant operating under the Sourdough & Co. and SDCO names, with a menu of handcrafted sandwiches and other approved items. The franchisor, World of Sourdough Franchising, LLC, is a Texas company formed in March 2021, based in Granite Bay, California. It began offering franchises in 2021.

Item 1 describes a restaurant using the franchisor’s proprietary recipes and products alongside approved non-proprietary food and non-alcoholic drinks. Two affiliates of the franchisor’s principals each operate one restaurant and support training or product development. The filing describes the restaurant industry, including sandwich restaurants, as “developed and intensely competitive.”

How does a Sourdough & Co restaurant work?

A Sourdough & Co restaurant operates from a storefront of roughly 1,250 to 1,500 square feet, typically in a strip center or retail area near offices and homes, according to Item 7 of the 2026 FDD.

The model combines counter service, dine-in and carry-out orders with approved catering and delivery services. Item 16 describes made-to-order sandwiches, soups, salads and other approved food and beverages. Catering, delivery and off-site activities are subject to the franchisor’s operating and territory rules.

Three responsibilities shape the operating model:

• Team leadership. Someone must supervise the restaurant on-site, manage employees and maintain service and food-preparation standards.
• Customer development. The brand’s FBA member materials emphasize local relationships, repeat business, catering and community marketing.
• Purchasing and cost control. Owners must buy most inventory and supplies from the franchisor, its affiliates or designated suppliers. The FDD warns that required purchases may cost more than comparable goods available elsewhere.

How much does a Sourdough & Co franchise cost?

A Sourdough & Co franchise costs an estimated $330,000 to $589,025 to open, according to Item 7 of the 2026 FDD. Leasehold improvements are the largest variable, ranging from $150,000 to $300,000. The initial franchise fee is $49,500.

Source: Sourdough & Co 2026 FDD, Item 7. These are the franchisor’s estimates of startup costs, not results.

Selected lines only. Item 7 also lists rent deposit, utilities, signage, architectural drawings, décor and design, staffing, uniforms, insurance, travel for training, and licenses and professional fees.

The additional-funds allowance is an estimate, not an assurance that the restaurant will become self-funding within three months. Assess your operating reserves and personal living expenses separately. The FDD’s cover page states that the investment estimate does not include salary or other payments to you or your principals.

Required site and construction partners

Item 7 says franchisees must use Stone Commercial for site selection and its construction management division as the owner’s representative during the build. The $18,000 fee applies per location: half is due within seven days of signing and half before opening. The filing also names Artistic Effects as the approved design vendor.

Veteran discount

Item 5 offers qualifying honorably discharged U.S. veterans a 10% discount on the initial franchise fee for a first restaurant. The discount does not apply to additional franchises, and the franchisor reserves the right to modify or discontinue the program.

How the investment compares within FBA’s database

Across the 18 active restaurant, QSR and catering franchise systems in FBA’s database as of November 2026, the median minimum initial investment is approximately $310,025. Sourdough & Co’s $330,000 minimum is slightly above that figure.

Methodology: The comparison includes every active listing in the specified FBA category and uses the low end of each brand’s estimated initial investment, including Sourdough & Co. This is a comparison within FBA’s database, not an industry-wide benchmark. Different restaurant formats and investment assumptions limit direct comparisons.

Use FBA’s franchise financial calculator to explore your potential investment budget.

What are Sourdough & Co’s ongoing fees?

Sourdough & Co charges a royalty of 5% of gross revenues, paid weekly, according to Item 6 of the 2026 FDD. The filing also requires local advertising spending of 1% of monthly gross revenues, which may increase to 3%. It lists no current system advertising fund contribution but permits one under the conditions described in the FDD.

Source: Sourdough & Co 2026 FDD, Item 6. Confirm applicable charges and notice provisions against the current disclosure document and agreements.

Ask the franchisor to explain in writing how any future system advertising contribution would interact with local spending and the filing’s stated contribution limits. Item 11 describes local advertising as additional to advertising-fund obligations, so do not assume a combined cap without reviewing the applicable provisions.

Other charges include a $100 late fee for each royalty or advertising payment not received within five days of its due date, a $200 fee for specified curable violations, and additional training charges of up to $200 per person per day or applicable third-party costs. Travel and related expenses may be extra.

Also review Item 17 and the franchise agreement for termination consequences, including potential liability for future amounts due.

What does Sourdough & Co’s Item 19 show?

Sourdough & Co’s 2026 FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation. Its annual-sales table reports 2025 results for the 78 restaurants that operated throughout the year: 76 franchised restaurants and 2 affiliate-owned restaurants, out of 99 restaurants in the system. These figures are sales, not profit or owner income.

2025 annual sales: 78 restaurants open throughout the year

Source: Sourdough & Co 2026 FDD, Item 19. Results are for the outlets the franchisor describes; yours may differ. Read the full Item 19 in the FDD.

The filing states:

“Some franchise outlets have earned this amount. Your individual results may differ. There is no assurance that you’ll earn as much.”

The franchisor says the figures were reported by affiliate-owned outlets and franchisees and were not audited or independently verified. It also states that written substantiation is available upon reasonable request.

Item 19 includes monthly sales, store-level information, an average-ticket chart and historical system information. Read it alongside Item 7’s investment estimates and the current and former franchisee contacts provided through Item 20 and its referenced exhibit.

When speaking with owners, ask what remains after food, labor, occupancy, royalties, advertising, financing and other operating expenses. The disclosed sales figures alone do not answer that question.

How big is the Sourdough & Co system?

Sourdough & Co reported 99 restaurants at the end of 2025, including 2 affiliate-owned restaurants, in Item 20 of the 2026 FDD. The filing reports 20 franchised openings during 2025, 1 termination, and no non-renewals, reacquisitions or other closures.

Most restaurants are in California, with others in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Texas and Wisconsin.

Source: Sourdough & Co 2026 FDD, Item 20.

The filing also reports 10 transfers of franchised restaurants to new owners in 2025. A transfer is a change of ownership, not necessarily a closure. Ask the franchisor and the owners involved what drove those transactions.

How does a Sourdough & Co territory work?

Sourdough & Co grants a protected but non-exclusive territory, according to Item 12 of the 2026 FDD. Franchisees first receive a protected search area for finding an approved site. After lease execution, protection is described using a minimum driving distance from the restaurant’s address.

The franchisor reserves adjustment rights and other rights to compete through specified locations, brands and distribution channels. Review the territory map and the actual agreement rather than treating these distances as an unconditional guarantee.

Item 12 also states that Sourdough & Co restaurants may not operate within two miles of an existing West Coast Sourdough store under a settlement agreement. West Coast Sourdough is a separate franchise brand.

Have your attorney reconcile Item 12 with the territory provisions in the agreement you are asked to sign.

What training and support does Sourdough & Co provide?

Item 11’s training table lists totals of 98 classroom hours and 230 on-the-job hours, with corporate headquarters in Granite Bay, California, identified as the training location unless otherwise specified. The filing says actual hours may vary. There is no initial training fee for up to two trainees, but franchisees pay attendance-related expenses such as travel, lodging, meals and wages.

The filing’s individual on-the-job training rows do not reconcile with its stated total. Confirm the actual curriculum, required attendance and schedule with the franchisor rather than treating the table as a settled timetable.

Opening assistance

During the period from the week before opening through two weeks after opening, the franchisor provides one designated trainer or consultant for up to 10 days to assist the owners, general manager and staff, as it considers appropriate. A separate passage describes approximately 80 hours of assistance and training over approximately two to three weeks.

The franchisor also provides prototype plans and layouts, equipment and inventory lists, approved supplier information and an operating manual. Franchisees remain responsible for adapting plans, obtaining required approvals and developing the restaurant.

Opening timeline

The franchisor estimates nine to twelve months between signing and opening. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the first restaurant must open within the earlier of:

• Twelve months after signing the franchise agreement.
• Six months after leasing or acquiring the approved site.

Franchisees generally have up to six months to find and secure an approved site. Failure to meet applicable deadlines can lead to termination without a refund.

For broader franchise education before your first franchisor call, explore FBA’s free franchise education webinar and FranPath Live sessions.

Can a Sourdough & Co franchise be manager-run?

Yes. Item 15 states that franchisees do not have to personally supervise the business. However, the restaurant must always be under the on-site supervision of a manager, who may be the owner or another individual approved by the franchisor in writing. The manager must complete required training.

The brand’s FBA member materials describe both owner-operated and semi-absentee arrangements using a general manager. That does not make the business a fully passive investment. Buyers considering manager-led operations should budget for management compensation and establish how they will oversee staffing, financial performance and compliance.

Confirm the proposed management arrangement with the franchisor before committing.

Can you own more than one Sourdough & Co restaurant?

Yes. Item 11 sets an opening schedule for buyers purchasing multiple restaurants:

Each restaurant requires a separate franchise agreement. The $18,000 site selection and construction coordination fee applies per location.

Item 5 refers to an additional-unit franchise fee schedule, but the referenced chart is not included in the filing. Obtain the complete schedule and applicable agreements in writing before evaluating a multi-unit purchase.

Who is a Sourdough & Co franchise right for?

Sourdough & Co may appeal to buyers who are comfortable leading people, managing a restaurant budget and following required operating and purchasing standards. The brand’s FBA member materials emphasize leadership, community relationships, financial oversight and interest in growth.

Using FBA’s owner-fit terminology, a Wealth & Lifestyle Builder may be interested in leading a local storefront business, while an Executive Builder may explore manager-led or multi-unit ownership. These are editorial fit categories, not FDD classifications or predictions of financial results.

It may suit you if you:

• Have experience leading teams and managing budgets.
• Want a local business involving customer service and community relationships.
• Can fund the disclosed investment and maintain appropriate reserves.
• Are comfortable using required suppliers and approved products.
• Plan to supervise operations directly or oversee an approved on-site manager.
• Understand the additional staffing, capital and development obligations of multiple locations.

It may not suit you if you:

• Want an investment requiring no management or oversight.
• Require an exclusive territory.
• Need a disclosed owner-income figure before proceeding.
• Want broad freedom over suppliers, products or marketing.
• Are not prepared for the estimated nine-to-twelve-month opening process.

The Zorakle owner-fit assessment can support your ownership-fit discussion. You can also talk with a franchise consultant about how the model compares with other restaurant opportunities.

What should you ask before buying a Sourdough & Co franchise?

Read the full FDD and agreements with a franchise attorney, and contact current and former franchisees. Focus on the costs and obligations that could materially affect your own location.

Build-out and required partners

• What did recent owners spend on leasehold improvements?
• How long did permitting and construction take?
• What does Stone Commercial’s $18,000 fee cover?
• Are brokerage commissions or other project charges additional?

Sales and operating expenses

• What explains the range of sales in Item 19?
• How do food, labor and occupancy costs differ by market?
• What management expenses should a manager-led owner budget for?
• How much additional capital did recent owners need after opening?

Suppliers and territory

• Which products must come from the franchisor, affiliates or designated suppliers?
• How are supplier prices and price increases handled?
• How is the proposed market classified?
• What protection will the signed agreement and territory map provide?
• Where are nearby Sourdough & Co and West Coast Sourdough restaurants?

Litigation and contractual obligations

Item 3 discloses three legal matters, including two involving allegations about the sale of unregistered franchises. One matter settled for $240,000 payable in installments, with a request for dismissal filed in June 2024. The other two matters had requests for dismissal with prejudice filed in June 2024 and November 2025. These descriptions concern allegations and disclosed resolutions, not findings that every allegation was established.

Ask your attorney to review:

• What the three matters involved and whether any related obligations remain.
• Item 17’s renewal, termination, transfer and dispute-resolution provisions.
• Potential obligations following termination.
• Item 21 and the attached financial statements.
• Any differences between the FDD’s descriptions and the agreements you will sign.

Sourdough & Co franchise FAQ

How much does it cost to open a Sourdough & Co franchise?

The estimated initial investment is $330,000 to $589,025, according to Item 7 of the 2026 FDD. That includes a $49,500 franchise fee, $150,000 to $300,000 in leasehold improvements, $50,000 to $95,000 in kitchen equipment and fixtures, an $18,000 site selection and construction coordination fee, and an allowance for additional funds during the first three months.

What is the Sourdough & Co royalty?

The royalty is 5% of gross revenues, paid weekly. The 2026 FDD also lists required local advertising spending of 1% of monthly gross revenues, subject to increase, plus $184 a month for POS and online ordering software and $100 a month for the loyalty and ordering app. Confirm how any future system advertising contribution would interact with local spending.

Does Sourdough & Co offer an exclusive territory?

No. Item 12 describes a non-exclusive protected territory. Search areas and operating distances vary by market classification and are subject to the franchisor’s reserved rights. Review the actual territory map and agreement with your attorney.

Does Sourdough & Co disclose how much franchisees make?

Item 19 reports sales, not owner income or profit. For the 78 restaurants open throughout 2025, including 2 affiliate-owned restaurants, annual sales ranged from $255,298 to $1,204,948. Median annual sales were $716,120.11, and average annual sales were $711,492.25.

Source: Sourdough & Co 2026 FDD, Item 19. Results are for the outlets the franchisor describes; yours may differ. Read the full Item 19 in the FDD.

Do you need restaurant experience to own a Sourdough & Co?

According to the brand’s FBA member materials, prior restaurant experience is not required. Those materials emphasize leadership, business acumen and financial oversight. The FDD requires successful completion of applicable training, including training for the approved manager. Confirm current qualification criteria directly with the franchisor.

Can you own a Sourdough & Co franchise semi-absentee?

The brand’s FBA member materials describe semi-absentee ownership using a general manager. Item 15 supports manager-led operations: owners need not personally supervise, but the restaurant must have an approved, trained manager supervising on-site at all times. This is not the same as fully passive ownership.

What training does Sourdough & Co provide?

Item 11 lists classroom and on-the-job training, plus opening assistance from a designated trainer or consultant for up to 10 days during the opening period. Its training table contains inconsistent hour totals, so confirm the actual schedule and attendance requirements with the franchisor. Initial training for up to two people carries no training fee, although attendance-related expenses remain the franchisee’s responsibility.

How long does it take to open a Sourdough & Co?

The franchisor estimates nine to twelve months from signing to opening. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the first restaurant must open within the earlier of 12 months after signing or six months after leasing or acquiring the approved site. Franchisees generally have up to six months to find and secure a suitable site.

Ready to take the next step?

Compare Sourdough & Co with other restaurant franchises based on total investment, operating requirements, territory and disclosed sales—not sales figures alone. Explore franchise opportunities with an FBA consultant to organize your comparison and identify the questions to resolve before investing.