LAST UPDATED: May 2026
FRANCHISE WEBSITE: https://dillas.com/franchise/
1851 NEWSROOM: 1851franchise.com/dillas-primo-quesadillas
NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 11
REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $809,500 - $1,366,500
REPORTED ROI (Item 19): See below
Dillas Quesadillas is a fast-casual brand that specializes in serving premium quesadilla meals with speed and a focus on community.
Founded in 2013 in Dallas, Texas, by Kyle and Maggie Gordon, Dillas Quesadillas was built on a simple idea: serve “dang good quesadillas” fast. After years of experience in the restaurant industry — including Kyle’s time at Raising Cane’s — the Gordons created a concept that bridges fast-casual quality with quick-service speed.
Mission: To build community through primo quesadilla meals served fast, fresh, and with purpose.
Vision: To become the nation’s leading quesadilla-focused QSR+ brand by pairing craveable food with authentic hospitality and local impact.
Dillas is actively expanding across the Southeast and Sunbelt regions, with target markets in Texas, Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Visit the Dillas franchise website to inquire about the availability of specific territories.
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to open a Dillas Quesadillas franchise ranges from $809,500 to $1,366,500. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $40,000 | $40,000 |
| Initial Training Fee | $0 | $9,000 |
| Travel Expenses (Training) | $7,500 | $15,000 |
| Real Estate | $15,000 | $36,000 |
| Security Deposits | $8,000 | $12,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $400,000 | $700,000 |
| Signage | $8,000 | $35,000 |
| Deposits | $3,000 | $7,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment | $225,000 | $350,000 |
| Initial Inventory & Supplies | $8,000 | $15,000 |
| Insurance Fees | $5,000 | $8,000 |
| Professional Fees & Licenses | $10,000 | $25,000 |
| Grand Opening Expenses | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| Opening Support Fees | $15,000 | $24,500 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $50,000 | $75,000 |
Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee is $40,000, due upon signing the franchise agreement.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2025 FDD, Dillas franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing costs and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty Fee | 5% of gross sales/week |
| Brand Fund Contribution | 2% of gross sales/week |
| Local Marketing Spend | 2% of gross sales/month |
| Technology Expenses | $900/month |
ROI Potential: According to the 2025 FDD, the eight Dillas restaurants (6 corporate-owned and 2 franchised) operating for the entirety of FY 2024 reported the following gross sales and gross margins:
| Restaurant | Gross Sales | COGS | Payroll | Gross Margin |
| Corporate #1 | $2,120,679 | ($643,125) | ($636,615) | $840,938 |
| Corporate #2 | $1,719,941 | ($548,870) | ($483,463) | $687,608 |
| Corporate #3 | $2,015,782 | ($812,249) | ($601,211) | $812,249 |
| Corporate #4 | $1,854,912 | ($597,036) | ($526,750) | $731,126 |
| Corporate #5 | $1,494,067 | ($501,702) | ($515,688) | $476,677 |
| Corporate #6 | $1,599,860 | ($517,508) | ($474,467) | $607,885 |
| Franchise #1 | $1,698,847 | ($541,130) | ($519,259) | $638,458 |
| Franchise #2 | $2,338,908 | ($742,898) | ($700,610) | $895,400 |
3. What Franchisee Support Does Dillas Provide?
Franchisees undergo a comprehensive training program covering restaurant operations, food prep, staffing and customer service. The first two required trainees attend at no cost. Ongoing field training and “time to train” systems ensure smooth ramp-up.
Dillas offers site selection assistance, design and construction guidance, local store marketing resources, and operations coaching from launch through ongoing management. The brand’s “opening team” provides in-person support during the first opening.
Dillas integrates advanced technology, including AI-powered prep and scheduling platforms, and integrated POS and loyalty systems with mobile ordering and payment tokenization. The brand also provides ongoing data analytics for performance optimization.
Restaurant or operations experience is a plus, not a must. The brand looks for hands-on owners with strong leadership and people skills.
Franchisees are expected to be owner-operators involved in daily operations. While multi-unit ownership is encouraged, Dillas does not support semi-absentee ownership for single-unit operators.
Dillas does not directly finance franchise investments but may refer qualified candidates to third-party SBA lenders and financing partners experienced with restaurant development.
“There is no real direct competition from a food perspective. There are no other quesadilla concepts that do it the way we do it. Therefore, we have the opportunity to really capture being the only quesadilla QSR in the industry. We have found that Dillas Primo Quesadillas is a viable restaurant to make money. We intend on growing in East Texas and in Louisiana. I really love the bigger college markets around us as well. The goal is to get one new location open a year.”
– Pete John, Multi-Unit Franchisee — Texas/Louisiana
The U.S. fast-casual market is projected to exceed $209 billion by 2027, growing at a 10% CAGR, driven by consumer demand for speed, quality and customization. Dillas’ unique “QSR+” positioning, pairing fast-casual quality with drive-thru convenience, gives it a competitive advantage over both traditional QSRs and emerging fast-casual chains. Also, the two most-ordered items on DoorDash in 2023 were french fries and chicken quesadillas.
Dillas Quesadillas’ primary competitors including Chipotle, Qdoba, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Torchy’s Tacos. However, Dillas differentiates itself by occupying a unique niche as the only national brand that is quesadilla-focused, drive-thru enabled and deeply community-oriented. This strategic positioning allows Dillas to stand out from other fast-casual and QSR+ concepts.
Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our Power Rankings to read more on brands making moves.
Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey.
Disclaimer: This content is for information only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained on this site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction.
All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information in the email constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.
| Dillas Quesadillas Experts Investment Range | $809,500 - $1,366,500 |
| No. of Units Currently Open | 11 |
| No. of Units Expected to Open this Year | 2 |
| Royalty | 5% |
| Franchise Fee | $40,000 |
Dillas Quesadillas
SPONSORED
Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Dillas Quesadillas offers a quesadilla-centric QSR+ model with near $1.9 million AUV, drive-thru gains, streamlined operations and support rooted in community.
LAST UPDATED: May 2026
FRANCHISE WEBSITE: https://dillas.com/franchise/
1851 NEWSROOM: 1851franchise.com/dillas-primo-quesadillas
NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 11
REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $809,500 - $1,366,500
REPORTED ROI (Item 19): See below
Dillas Quesadillas is a fast-casual brand that specializes in serving premium quesadilla meals with speed and a focus on community.
Founded in 2013 in Dallas, Texas, by Kyle and Maggie Gordon, Dillas Quesadillas was built on a simple idea: serve “dang good quesadillas” fast. After years of experience in the restaurant industry — including Kyle’s time at Raising Cane’s — the Gordons created a concept that bridges fast-casual quality with quick-service speed.
Mission: To build community through primo quesadilla meals served fast, fresh, and with purpose.
Vision: To become the nation’s leading quesadilla-focused QSR+ brand by pairing craveable food with authentic hospitality and local impact.
Dillas is actively expanding across the Southeast and Sunbelt regions, with target markets in Texas, Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Visit the Dillas franchise website to inquire about the availability of specific territories.
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to open a Dillas Quesadillas franchise ranges from $809,500 to $1,366,500. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $40,000 | $40,000 |
| Initial Training Fee | $0 | $9,000 |
| Travel Expenses (Training) | $7,500 | $15,000 |
| Real Estate | $15,000 | $36,000 |
| Security Deposits | $8,000 | $12,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $400,000 | $700,000 |
| Signage | $8,000 | $35,000 |
| Deposits | $3,000 | $7,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment | $225,000 | $350,000 |
| Initial Inventory & Supplies | $8,000 | $15,000 |
| Insurance Fees | $5,000 | $8,000 |
| Professional Fees & Licenses | $10,000 | $25,000 |
| Grand Opening Expenses | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| Opening Support Fees | $15,000 | $24,500 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $50,000 | $75,000 |
Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee is $40,000, due upon signing the franchise agreement.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2025 FDD, Dillas franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing costs and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty Fee | 5% of gross sales/week |
| Brand Fund Contribution | 2% of gross sales/week |
| Local Marketing Spend | 2% of gross sales/month |
| Technology Expenses | $900/month |
ROI Potential: According to the 2025 FDD, the eight Dillas restaurants (6 corporate-owned and 2 franchised) operating for the entirety of FY 2024 reported the following gross sales and gross margins:
| Restaurant | Gross Sales | COGS | Payroll | Gross Margin |
| Corporate #1 | $2,120,679 | ($643,125) | ($636,615) | $840,938 |
| Corporate #2 | $1,719,941 | ($548,870) | ($483,463) | $687,608 |
| Corporate #3 | $2,015,782 | ($812,249) | ($601,211) | $812,249 |
| Corporate #4 | $1,854,912 | ($597,036) | ($526,750) | $731,126 |
| Corporate #5 | $1,494,067 | ($501,702) | ($515,688) | $476,677 |
| Corporate #6 | $1,599,860 | ($517,508) | ($474,467) | $607,885 |
| Franchise #1 | $1,698,847 | ($541,130) | ($519,259) | $638,458 |
| Franchise #2 | $2,338,908 | ($742,898) | ($700,610) | $895,400 |
3. What Franchisee Support Does Dillas Provide?
Franchisees undergo a comprehensive training program covering restaurant operations, food prep, staffing and customer service. The first two required trainees attend at no cost. Ongoing field training and “time to train” systems ensure smooth ramp-up.
Dillas offers site selection assistance, design and construction guidance, local store marketing resources, and operations coaching from launch through ongoing management. The brand’s “opening team” provides in-person support during the first opening.
Dillas integrates advanced technology, including AI-powered prep and scheduling platforms, and integrated POS and loyalty systems with mobile ordering and payment tokenization. The brand also provides ongoing data analytics for performance optimization.
Restaurant or operations experience is a plus, not a must. The brand looks for hands-on owners with strong leadership and people skills.
Franchisees are expected to be owner-operators involved in daily operations. While multi-unit ownership is encouraged, Dillas does not support semi-absentee ownership for single-unit operators.
Dillas does not directly finance franchise investments but may refer qualified candidates to third-party SBA lenders and financing partners experienced with restaurant development.
“There is no real direct competition from a food perspective. There are no other quesadilla concepts that do it the way we do it. Therefore, we have the opportunity to really capture being the only quesadilla QSR in the industry. We have found that Dillas Primo Quesadillas is a viable restaurant to make money. We intend on growing in East Texas and in Louisiana. I really love the bigger college markets around us as well. The goal is to get one new location open a year.”
– Pete John, Multi-Unit Franchisee — Texas/Louisiana
The U.S. fast-casual market is projected to exceed $209 billion by 2027, growing at a 10% CAGR, driven by consumer demand for speed, quality and customization. Dillas’ unique “QSR+” positioning, pairing fast-casual quality with drive-thru convenience, gives it a competitive advantage over both traditional QSRs and emerging fast-casual chains. Also, the two most-ordered items on DoorDash in 2023 were french fries and chicken quesadillas.
Dillas Quesadillas’ primary competitors including Chipotle, Qdoba, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Torchy’s Tacos. However, Dillas differentiates itself by occupying a unique niche as the only national brand that is quesadilla-focused, drive-thru enabled and deeply community-oriented. This strategic positioning allows Dillas to stand out from other fast-casual and QSR+ concepts.
Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our Power Rankings to read more on brands making moves.
Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey.
Disclaimer: This content is for information only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained on this site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction.
All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information in the email constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.
| Dillas Quesadillas Experts Investment Range | $809,500 - $1,366,500 |
| No. of Units Currently Open | 11 |
| No. of Units Expected to Open this Year | 2 |
| Royalty | 5% |
| Franchise Fee | $40,000 |
| Dillas Quesadillas Experts Investment Range | $809,500 - $1,366,500 |
| No. of Units Currently Open | 11 |
| No. of Units Expected to Open this Year | 2 |
| Royalty | 5% |
| Franchise Fee | $40,000 |
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