- A Franchise Business directory listing shows a $40,000 franchise fee, a 7% royalty, a 3% marketing fee and a 7-year agreement.
- Initial investment is listed as starting at about $450,000, depending on location, format and size.
- Every burrito or bowl sold funds a donated meal through Plate 4 Plate. Understand who bears that cost in the system.
Zambrero was founded in Canberra in 2005 by Dr Sam Prince and has grown into one of Australia’s largest Mexican quick-service brands, with restaurants in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the UK and the USA. Its Plate 4 Plate program donates a meal for every burrito or bowl sold.
Zambrero looks for owner-operators who manage their restaurant day to day rather than passive investors.
Zambrero franchise at a glance
| Sector | Mexican-inspired quick service |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2005, Canberra |
| Network | 300+ restaurants globally (franchisor) |
| Franchise fee | $40,000 (Franchise Business listing) |
| Investment | From about $450,000 depending on location, format and size |
| Ongoing fees | 7% royalty and 3% marketing fee |
| Agreement term | 7 years |
Figures come from the public sources listed at the end of this guide and can change. Treat them as a starting point and confirm current numbers in the franchise disclosure document.
How the Zambrero model works financially
Zambrero restaurants trade from shopping centres, strips and drive-thru sites. Combined fees of about 10% of sales sit below many quick-service brands, which leaves more room for food, labour and rent. Food cost depends on portioning and fresh ingredients, and labour depends on lunch and dinner peaks.
Plate 4 Plate is central to the brand. Ask how the donated meals are funded within the system and whether any part of the cost flows through to franchisees, so it’s reflected in your forecast.
The numbers to test before you buy a Zambrero franchise
- The full investment for your format, including working capital and pre-opening costs.
- Food and packaging cost per order, and how promotions affect margin.
- Labour at award rates through lunch and dinner peaks and weekends.
- Rent and outgoings as a share of sales, and the lease term against the 7-year agreement.
- How Plate 4 Plate is funded and any cost to the restaurant.
- Renewal terms at the end of the 7-year agreement.
Buying an existing Zambrero restaurant
Existing Zambrero restaurants are sold through the franchisor and brokers. Verify weekly sales, food and labour costs against BAS and bank records, and check how many years remain on the franchise agreement, because a 7-year term leaves less time to recover your purchase price.
How Franchise Co. can help with a Zambrero purchase
We work with buyers and owners of franchise businesses across Australia. For a Zambrero restaurant we can:
- Review the numbers before you sign. Our business due diligence starts from $2,000 + GST and tests the investment, fees, lease and forecast against the disclosure document and, for a resale, the seller’s records.
- Set up the structure and the books. Entity choice, GST, payroll and a chart of accounts that reports food and labour cost as a share of sales each week. See accounting and tax and bookkeeping, BAS and payroll.
- Check your franchise fees. We reconcile royalty and marketing fees to the sales they’re calculated on. See royalties and franchise fees.
- Plan the next restaurant. If a second site is on the cards, we model the cash flow and funding first. See multi-site reporting.
Zambrero franchise FAQs
How much does a Zambrero franchise cost?
A Franchise Business directory listing shows investment starting at about $450,000 and a $40,000 franchise fee. The final cost depends on location, format and size.
What royalty does Zambrero charge?
The listing shows a 7% royalty and a 3% marketing fee. Confirm current fees in the disclosure document.
How long is a Zambrero franchise agreement?
The listing shows a 7-year agreement. Check renewal rights and costs before you sign.
What is Plate 4 Plate?
Zambrero’s program donates a meal to someone in need for every burrito or bowl sold, working with partners such as Rise Against Hunger.
Franchise Co. is an independent accounting practice. We aren’t affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to Zambrero. Zambrero is a trademark of its owner and is used here only to identify the brand this guide discusses.
Sources and further reading
- Zambrero: Franchise FAQ
- Franchise Business: Zambrero listing
- Wikipedia: Zambrero
- ACCC: Franchise disclosure document
Sources checked November 2026. Franchise costs and fees change. Confirm current figures with the franchisor before acting.
This guide is general information for people considering a franchise in Australia. It doesn’t take your circumstances into account and isn’t personal tax, legal or financial advice.
Talk it through
Every franchise is different. Ask us how this applies to yours.
