Kitchen Guard franchise unit economics
Kitchen Guard franchisees clean commercial kitchen exhaust systems and provide filter exchange, fan repair and maintenance, and vapor and pressure cleaning for restaurants and other commercial kitchens in a territory of 1,000 to 2,000 retail food service locations.
Kitchen Guard franchise at a glance
Kitchen Guard’s Item 19 reports 2025 Gross Sales for 5 franchised territories in their first full year and the 3 San Diego County territories, monthly Gross Sales for 30 territories opened in 2025 and an average service value, and no costs or profit.
Kitchen Guard’s 5 franchised territories in their first full year averaged $209,719 of Gross Sales in 2025, with a median of $166,591, and its 3 San Diego County territories averaged $1,529,616 each, according to Item 19 of Kitchen Guard’s 2026 FDD, issued 1 April 2026. Fees paid to Kitchen Guard come to about 14.86%* of the first-full-year average. A Kitchen Guard franchise costs $210,486 to $285,883 to open.
- A Kitchen Guard franchise costs $210,486 to $285,883 to open for one territory, including the $49,000 initial franchise fee, according to the 2026 FDD.
- Kitchen Guard charges a royalty of 10% of annual Gross Billings up to $1,499,999, 9% from $1,500,000 to $2,999,999 and 8% from $3,000,000.
- The Kitchen Guard minimum monthly royalty is $750 in months 12 to 18 after training, $1,000 in months 19 to 24 and $2,000 from month 25.
- Kitchen Guard also charges a 2% Promotional Fund contribution and a Technology Fee, currently $499 a month.
- Each Kitchen Guard franchisee must spend at least $1,000 a month on local marketing from two months before opening through the first year.
- The three Kitchen Guard territories in San Diego County, run as one business for more than 15 years and affiliate-owned until April 2025, had $4,588,849 of Gross Sales in 2025, or $1,529,616 a territory.
- Kitchen Guard territories must reach $40,000 of Gross Billings a month from the fourth year of operation to keep the territory.
- Kitchen Guard had 38 franchised territories and no company-owned outlets at the end of 2025, up from none at the start of 2024, with 14 signed territories not yet open.
These figures come from Kitchen Guard's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, as the brand reported them, and were read by Averan Advisors.
Own this franchise?
See what your numbers should look like every month.
Talk to Averan → Move your books and accounting to Averan →- The 5 Kitchen Guard territories in their first full year averaged $209,719 of Gross Sales in 2025, and the median was $166,591. Two of the 5 Kitchen Guard territories (40%) were at or above the average. Kitchen Guard first-full-year territories ranged from $155,295 to $312,866.
- The 3 Kitchen Guard territories in San Diego County had $4,588,849 of Gross Sales in 2025, or $1,529,616 a territory. Kitchen Guard reports that business as one operator serving all of San Diego County for more than 15 years, affiliate-owned until April 2025. Kitchen Guard kitchen exhaust cleaning made up 68.1% of its revenue and filter exchange 15.6%.
- The 30 Kitchen Guard territories that opened in 2025 averaged $5,552 of Gross Sales in their first month. The 12 Kitchen Guard territories with six months of operation averaged $14,970 in month 6, and the 3 with nine months averaged $55,352 in month 9. Kitchen Guard territories took about 177 days on average from signing to the first month of revenue.
- Kitchen Guard’s royalty, Promotional Fund and Technology Fee come to 14.86%* of the $209,719 first-full-year average. Once the Kitchen Guard $2,000 minimum monthly royalty applies from month 25, the same charges at that average come to 16.30%*. The Kitchen Guard local marketing requirement of $1,000 a month in the first year is spent by the franchisee.
- Kitchen Guard territories must bill at least $40,000 a month from the fourth year, $480,000* a year. The Kitchen Guard first-full-year average of $209,719 is 43.7%* of that level. The average Kitchen Guard service in 2025 was $702.27 across all franchised territories.
Gross Sales
How much does a Kitchen Guard franchise make?
| Group | Territories | Average | Median | Lowest | Highest | At or above average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Territories opened in 2024, first full year | 5 | $209,719 | $166,591 | $155,295 | $312,866 | 2 (40%) |
| San Diego County, open more than 15 years | 3 | $1,529,616 a territory (total $4,588,849) |
Figures as filed. Kitchen Guard divided the San Diego County total by three to give the per-territory figure. The San Diego County business was owned by an affiliate of the franchisor until April 2025 and franchised after. Item 19 left out one Kitchen Guard territory that closed in 2025 after less than 12 months.
The 5 Kitchen Guard territories that opened in 2024 averaged $209,719 of Gross Sales in 2025, their first full calendar year, at a median of $166,591. Two of the 5 Kitchen Guard territories, 40%, were at or above the average. The lowest Kitchen Guard territory in the group had $155,295 and the highest $312,866.
The 3 Kitchen Guard territories in San Diego County had $4,588,849 of Gross Sales in 2025. Kitchen Guard divides that total by three to give $1,529,616 a territory. The Kitchen Guard business runs from a facility in Escondido, California, serves all of San Diego County and has operated for more than 15 years.
Kitchen Guard exhaust cleaning made up 68.1% of San Diego County revenue in 2025. Filter exchange made up 15.6% of that Kitchen Guard revenue, repair services 11.6% and green steam and other sources 4.7%.
The average Kitchen Guard service in 2025 was $702.27. Kitchen Guard worked that out as total Gross Sales of all franchised territories divided by the number of services performed.
Kitchen Guard Gross Sales include sales on credit whether or not the customer has paid. The Kitchen Guard figures come from unaudited franchisee reports, less refunds and sales tax, and Kitchen Guard royalties are charged on Gross Billings, the amount billed in a month.
First months
Kitchen Guard Gross Sales by month for territories opened in 2025
| Month | Territories | Average | Median | Lowest | Highest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 | $5,552 | $2,359 | $299 | $34,240 |
| 2 | 27 | $8,866 | $5,733 | $0 | $33,836 |
| 3 | 26 | $7,645 | $6,027 | $1,206 | $30,982 |
| 4 | 23 | $11,538 | $8,701 | $3,730 | $36,331 |
| 5 | 18 | $12,974 | $9,801 | $545 | $29,284 |
| 6 | 12 | $14,970 | $12,879 | $2,955 | $44,968 |
| 7 | 9 | $18,451 | $15,824 | $8,518 | $49,042 |
| 8 | 5 | $29,109 | $16,884 | $14,035 | $80,389 |
| 9 | 3 | $55,352 | $58,089 | $25,228 | $82,739 |
| 10 | 3 | $55,837 | $57,340 | $16,702 | $93,470 |
| 11 | 1 | $20,012 | $20,012 | $20,012 | $20,012 |
Figures as filed. Month 1 is the first month a Kitchen Guard territory reported revenue. Each month’s figures cover the Kitchen Guard territories that had operated at least that many months by December 31, 2025, so later months cover fewer territories.
The 30 Kitchen Guard territories that opened in 2025 averaged $5,552 of Gross Sales in month 1, at a median of $2,359. By month 4 the 23 Kitchen Guard territories still in the count averaged $11,538, and by month 6 the 12 in the count averaged $14,970.
The 3 Kitchen Guard territories with nine months of operation averaged $55,352 in month 9. The Kitchen Guard month 10 average was $55,837 across the same 3 territories, and one Kitchen Guard territory reported an eleventh month, at $20,012.
Kitchen Guard territories took about 177 days on average from signing the franchise agreement to the first month of revenue. Kitchen Guard states that all 30 territories that opened in 2025 were still operating at the issuance date.
Kitchen Guard Item 7 expects more spending after the first three months. Kitchen Guard estimates an additional $60,000 to $80,000 of equipment and supplies and $40,000 to $60,000 of working capital in months 4 to 12, and a second vehicle before the end of the first year.
Highest and lowest
Kitchen Guard highest and lowest territories, 2025
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Highest | $312,866 |
| Median | $166,591 |
| Lowest | $155,295 |
| Average | $209,719 |
| At or above average | 2 (40%) |
| Below average | 3 (60%) |
| At or above median | 3 (60%) |
| Below median | 2 (40%) |
Figures as filed. Kitchen Guard gives no quartiles or bands for its territories.
The highest Kitchen Guard first-full-year territory had $312,866 of Gross Sales in 2025, and the lowest $155,295. The Kitchen Guard median of $166,591 is $43,128* below the average, and 3 of the 5 Kitchen Guard territories were below the average.
The San Diego County Kitchen Guard territories averaged 7.29* times the first-full-year average. The Kitchen Guard San Diego County business has operated for more than 15 years, and the 5 first-full-year Kitchen Guard territories opened in 2024.
The highest Kitchen Guard monthly figure among 2025 openings was $93,470, in month 10. The lowest Kitchen Guard monthly figure was $0, in month 2.
Brand charges
Brand charges
| Fee | Rate as filed | At first-full-year average |
|---|---|---|
| Royalty | 10% of annual Gross Billings to $1,499,999; 9% to $2,999,999; 8% above | $20,971.90* |
| Promotional Fund | 2% of Gross Billings | $4,194.38* |
| Technology Fee | Currently $499 a month | $5,988* |
| Minimum monthly royalty | $750 in months 12 to 18, $1,000 in months 19 to 24, $2,000 from month 25 | Does not apply until month 25 at this average |
| Total | 12% of Gross Billings plus $499 a month | $31,154.28* (14.86%*) |
Source: Item 6 of the Kitchen Guard FDD, pages 16 to 21. Dollar figures are Averan calculations. Local marketing of at least $1,000 a month in the first year is spent by the franchisee, and the Regional Account Management Fee of 1% to 10% applies to regional account work.
Kitchen Guard charges a royalty of 10% of annual Gross Billings up to $1,499,999, 9% from $1,500,000 to $2,999,999 and 8% from $3,000,000. Kitchen Guard Gross Billings are the amounts billed in a month whether or not the customer pays, less sales tax. A Kitchen Guard franchisee in default pays 11%.
The Kitchen Guard minimum monthly royalty starts 12 months after the franchisee completes initial training. The Kitchen Guard minimum is $750 a month in months 12 to 18, $1,000 in months 19 to 24 and $2,000 from month 25, for each territory. The $2,000 Kitchen Guard minimum equals 10% of $240,000* a year, and at the $209,719 average it lifts the charges to 16.30%*.
Kitchen Guard charges a 2% Promotional Fund contribution and a Technology Fee, currently $499 a month. The Kitchen Guard Technology Fee covers the franchisee website, Microsoft Office 365 and franchise management software, and may rise to what the vendors charge. Kitchen Guard multi-unit owners may receive up to 40% off the Technology Fee for each unit after the first.
Each Kitchen Guard franchisee must spend at least $1,000 a month on local marketing from two months before opening through the first year. Kitchen Guard may collect that spend and place it for the franchisee, and currently requires it to be spent. The Kitchen Guard requirement comes to $14,000* over the 14 months.
Kitchen Guard charges other fees in set cases. These Kitchen Guard fees include a $975 annual conference registration, a $15,000 transfer fee, a $10,000 resale assistance fee, a $5,000 renewal fee, extra training at $750 a day and a management fee of 15% of Gross Sales if the brand runs the business.
Cost to open
Cost to open
| Expenditure | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial fee | $49,000 | $49,000 |
| Training travel | $1,386 | $4,598 |
| Equipment, inventory, supplies and marketing supplies | $55,125 | $85,085 |
| Rent, 3 months | $4,125 | $19,800 |
| Tenant improvements | $1,000 | $7,000 |
| Vehicle expenses | $3,500 | $7,000 |
| Computer equipment, phones and Technology Fees | $3,300 | $5,500 |
| Miscellaneous | $6,050 | $9,900 |
| Local marketing | $6,000 | $6,000 |
| Additional funds, 3 months | $81,000 | $92,000 |
| Total | $210,486 | $285,883 |
Source: Item 7 of the Kitchen Guard FDD, pages 22 to 24. The Kitchen Guard estimate covers the first three months of operation.
Discounts available
- Kitchen Guard gives a $10,000 discount off the initial franchise fee for the first franchise to an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces who owns at least 51% of the business.
- Kitchen Guard gives a $10,000 discount off the initial franchise fee for the first franchise to a qualified first responder, such as law enforcement, firefighting, emergency medical or emergency communications personnel, who owns at least 51% of the business.
- Kitchen Guard gives a $9,000 discount off the initial franchise fee for each additional franchise agreement bought at the same time as the first.
- Kitchen Guard gives a 50% discount off the then-current initial franchise fee for an additional franchise to an approved franchisee with at least two years of operating experience who meets the expansion requirements.
- Kitchen Guard reserves the right to reduce the initial franchise fee for rural or secondary markets and for conversions of existing businesses that offer similar services.
From Item 5 of the Kitchen Guard 2026 FDD. The costs on this page use the full initial franchise fee for one unit, before any discount.
A Kitchen Guard franchise costs $210,486 to $285,883 to open for one territory. The largest Kitchen Guard lines are $81,000 to $92,000 of additional funds for three months and $55,125 to $85,085 of equipment, inventory and supplies. The Kitchen Guard cover page says $49,499 to $56,497 of the total is paid to the franchisor or its affiliate.
A Kitchen Guard location is typically 1,500 to 3,000 square feet of office and warehouse space. Kitchen Guard estimates rent at $11 to $25 a square foot, and franchisees with contiguous Kitchen Guard territories may not need a separate warehouse for each.
Kitchen Guard expects $100,000 to $140,000* more spending in months 4 to 12. That Kitchen Guard estimate is $60,000 to $80,000 of equipment and supplies and $40,000 to $60,000 of working capital, outside the Item 7 total. Kitchen Guard also expects a second vehicle before the end of the first year.
A Kitchen Guard two-territory Multi-Unit Development Agreement costs $250,486 to $325,883 to sign and open the first territory. The Kitchen Guard Multi-Unit Fee for two territories is $89,000, which takes the place of the first $49,000 initial fee.
Kitchen Guard offers $10,000 off the initial franchise fee to qualifying veterans and first responders. Kitchen Guard also gives $9,000 off each additional franchise agreement bought with the first, and 50% off an additional franchise after two years of operating. Kitchen Guard franchisees paid initial fees of $40,000 to $49,000 in the most recent fiscal year.
Locations
Locations, 2023 to 2025
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franchised at start of year | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Opened | 0 | 6 | 32 |
| Terminated | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Non-renewed | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Reacquired by franchisor | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ceased operations, other reasons | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Franchised at end of year | 0 | 6 | 38 |
| Company-owned at end of year | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Transfers to new owners | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Source: Item 20, Tables 1 to 5, pages 52 to 55 of the Kitchen Guard FDD. Kitchen Guard counts franchised territories; the company-owned outlet was the San Diego County business, sold to a franchisee in 2025.
Kitchen Guard went from no franchised territories at the start of 2024 to 38 at the end of 2025. Kitchen Guard opened 6 franchised territories in 2024 and 32 in 2025, and Item 20 shows no Kitchen Guard terminations or closures. Kitchen Guard has offered franchises since August 2023.
The Kitchen Guard company-owned outlet in California was sold to a franchisee in 2025. Item 19 describes that Kitchen Guard business as three franchised territories in San Diego County from April 2025.
Kitchen Guard had 14 signed territories not yet open at the end of 2025 and projects 41 franchised openings in 2026. Kitchen Guard lists the signed territories in 9 states, with 2 each in California, Florida, Texas and Virginia.
The Kitchen Guard FDD lists a short operating history, required sales performance and a significant number of unopened franchises as special risks. Kitchen Guard’s parent, EverSmith Brands Holding Company, guarantees the franchisor’s performance, and its audited statements are in Exhibit B-1.
Questions we get asked
Questions owners ask
How much does it cost to open a Kitchen Guard franchise?
The 2026 Kitchen Guard FDD estimates $210,486 to $285,883 for one territory over the first three months. That Kitchen Guard estimate includes the $49,000 initial franchise fee, $55,125 to $85,085 of equipment and supplies and $81,000 to $92,000 of additional funds. Kitchen Guard expects a further $60,000 to $80,000 of equipment and $40,000 to $60,000 of working capital in months 4 to 12.
What fees does Kitchen Guard charge?
Kitchen Guard charges a royalty of 10% of annual Gross Billings up to $1,499,999, falling to 9% and 8% above that, with a minimum monthly royalty that reaches $2,000 from month 25. Kitchen Guard also charges a 2% Promotional Fund contribution and a $499 monthly Technology Fee. On Averan’s reading, charges paid to Kitchen Guard come to about 14.86%* of the $209,719 first-full-year average.
How much does a Kitchen Guard franchise make?
Item 19 reports that the 5 Kitchen Guard territories in their first full year averaged $209,719 of Gross Sales in 2025, at a median of $166,591. The 3 Kitchen Guard territories in San Diego County, in business for more than 15 years, had $4,588,849 in all, or $1,529,616 a territory.
How fast does a new Kitchen Guard territory build up?
The 30 Kitchen Guard territories that opened in 2025 averaged $5,552 of Gross Sales in their first month and $14,970 in month 6 for the 12 that reached it. Kitchen Guard territories took about 177 days on average from signing to the first month of revenue.
Does Kitchen Guard report franchisee costs or profit?
Kitchen Guard’s Item 19 gives no figure for franchisee costs or profit. Kitchen Guard reports Gross Sales, the San Diego County service-line mix and the average service value of $702.27.
How many Kitchen Guard locations are there?
Kitchen Guard had 38 franchised territories and no company-owned outlets at the end of 2025. Kitchen Guard opened 32 territories in 2025 and had 14 signed territories not yet open at December 31, 2025.
Questions worth putting to Kitchen Guard
These are questions the filing leaves open. An owner or a buyer can put them to the franchisor directly.
- Is the revenue in Item 19 gross sales or collected revenue, and how many locations sit below the average?
- What separates the highest-selling locations from the lowest: territory, years open, staffing, or the owner?
- How long does a new location take to reach the average you publish, and what does the build-up look like month by month?
- At what level of sales do the minimum charges stop applying and the percentage take over?
- How many Kitchen Guard locations closed, were sold, or changed hands last year, and why?
Run your own numbers.
The Franchise Numbers Check runs the same checks on your own numbers. It scores where you stand and compares you with Item 19 of your brand’s FDD. It works out what one location earns and spends, and builds a 13-week cash forecast. It also checks whether you are ready to open another one. It is free and it runs in your browser.
Launch the diagnostic →Reporting for a Kitchen Guard owner
We review your unit economics and cash forecast and build your monthly reporting around the figures on this page.
Talk to Averanthe franchise library, all 447 brands · how franchise unit economics work · running the books across several locations · what Averan does for franchise owners
Other brands in the Commercial Cleaning guide:
Questions owners ask next
The figures above raise these, and each one is answered on its own page.
- At what level of sales does a minimum fee stop costing me more than the percentage?It works out the sales level where a minimum fee stops applying.
- How much cash do I fund before a new location covers its own costs?It builds a 13-week forecast for the months before break-even.
- What does this location earn on the money I put into it?It works out the payback period and cash-on-cash return for one unit.
- How much of Item 19 can I rely on?It explains what an Item 19 financial performance representation tells you and what it leaves out.
Where these figures come from
Every figure here comes from Kitchen Guard Franchising, Inc.’s 2026 FDD and is unaudited by us. We are unaffiliated with the brand. Calculations of our own are labeled where they appear. The figures describe past performance at other businesses and are not a projection of yours. This page is an educational summary. It is not an offer to sell a franchise, and it is not financial, legal or tax advice. Kitchen Guard is a trademark of its owner. How Averan reads a Franchise Disclosure Document.
These figures come from the brand's disclosure. They are not a forecast, an offer to sell a franchise or advice. Source: Kitchen Guard Franchising, Inc., 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, issued 1 April 2026.