Franchisor Stories
Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Teriyaki Madness offers a scalable, high-demand fast-casual concept with strong unit economics, bold branding and comprehensive franchise support.
Teriyaki Madness is a fast-casual restaurant concept specializing in made-to-order Asian-inspired rice and noodle bowls. The brand is known for its bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and a build-your-own approach that appeals to a wide range of dietary preferences.
Teriyaki Madness (TMAD) was founded in 2003 in Las Vegas, Nevada, and began franchising in 2005. Since then, the brand has grown into one of the fastest-growing Asian fast-casual concepts in the U.S., focusing on bold, customizable teriyaki bowls that meet modern demand for convenience and health-conscious flavor.
Mission: To serve huge bowls of awesomeness that make customers feel great and keep them coming back for more.
Vision: To become the dominant global teriyaki brand, empowering franchisees to grow profitable businesses while delivering high-quality, made-to-order Asian meals.
TMAD is actively growing across the U.S., with availability in major metro and secondary markets. Explore opportunities on the TMAD franchise website.
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment to open a Teriyaki Madness franchise ranges from $376,200 to $975,860, depending on location, buildout needs and equipment choices. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Shop Opening Assistance Fee | $27,500 | $27,500 |
| Site Survey | $2,000 | $6,500 |
| Rent, Security Deposit, Utility Deposit | $7,000 | $21,000 |
| Permit Expeditor | $0 | $3,500 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $134,000 | $520,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment | $76,000 | $174,000 |
| Architect | $16,500 | $30,500 |
| Initial Inventory & Supplies | $17,000 | $18,000 |
| Insurance | $1,500 | $5,000 |
| Business Licenses & Permits | $500 | $9,860 |
| Professional Fees | $2,500 | $4,000 |
| Exterior Signage | $5,500 | $27,000 |
| Interior Branding/Graphics | $6,800 | $10,000 |
| Security & Music System | $1,600 | $2,000 |
| Point of Sale System | $10,000 | $15,000 |
| Office Equipment & Supplies | $1,000 | $4,000 |
| Grand Opening Promotion | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Uniforms | $600 | $1,000 |
| Initial & Hands-On Training Expenses | $1,200 | $4,500 |
| Extension Fee | $0 | $7,500 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $10,000 | $30,000 |
Initial Franchise Fee: The franchise fee is $45,000, due upon signing the franchise agreement. TMAD also charges a $10,000 Shop Opening Assistance Fee and offers multi-unit discounts and development agreements for qualified operators.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2025 FDD, TMAD franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty Fee | 6% of gross sales/week |
| Marketing Fund Contribution | 3% of gross sales/week |
| Technology Fee | $100/month until first shop opens, then $395/month per opened shop |
ROI Potential: According to the 2025 FDD, the 105 franchised shops that operated for the entirety of FY 2024 reported the following gross sales:
| Quartile | Average | Median | High | Low |
| Top Quartile | $1,744,388 | $1,627,845 | $3,095,978 | $1,457,348 |
| 2nd Quartile | $1,291,334 | $1,316,562 | $1,449,310 | $1,123,143 |
| 3rd Quartile | $983,408 | $975,591 | $1,122,966 | $845,452 |
| Bottom Quartile | $714,866 | $756,326 | $845,406 | $460,731 |
| Total | $1,177,195 | $1,122,966 | $3,095,978 | $460,731 |
Franchisees and managers undergo immersive training, including:
Ideal candidates have a passion for operations and customer experience. Restaurant or business management experience is preferred.
Operational Commitments
TMAD encourages owner-operators but also allows experienced, engaged multi-unit operators to appoint a qualified managing partner. This franchise is designed to scale — many owners hold multi-unit development agreements.
While TMAD does not provide in-house financing, it is SBA-approved and has relationships with third-party lenders to assist qualified applicants in securing funding .
Teriyaki Madness proudly features success stories from its nationwide network of franchisees.
“I’ve seen how other franchisors operate, so I knew that TMAD was different. I wanted to franchise with a young brand that was hungry and ready to grow. Having powerful leadership behind you is key in helping a restaurant concept succeed.”
Elias Saucedo, TMAD Franchisee
“The TMAD team stood out above other franchises because of its end-to-end support including training programs, operations assistance, and dedicated business coaches, creating a WIN-WIN for the franchisee and franchisor.”
Ken Schanke and Audrey Poynton, Multi-Unit TMAD Franchisees
“We’ve been impressed with how closely the TMAD team is staying on trend with third-party delivery, loyalty program initiatives, and above all, clean and healthy restaurants that serve delicious food.”
Necia Bulloch, TMAD Franchisee
The Asian food industry is experiencing significant global growth, with a projected market value of $281.1 billion by 2032, driven by rising health awareness and culinary tourism. North America is a key market, particularly the U.S., where the industry is expected to reach $51.3 billion by 2031. This growth is fueled by increasing consumer interest in diverse culinary experiences and the popularity of authentic Asian dishes.
TMAD competes with other fast-casual Asian brands such as:
Teriyaki Madness stands out by focusing on large portion sizes, a customizable menu and a fun, irreverent brand voice — all of which appeal to today’s health- and value-conscious diner.
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