Keke's Breakfast Cafe Franchise Opportunity: Costs, Fees & ROI 2025

LAST UPDATED: May 2025

FRANCHISE WEBSITE: https://www.kekes.com/franchise

NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 70

REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $622,825 to $1,887,313

REPORTED ROI (Item 19): Average AUV of $2,089,007 in 2024 is for all franchised restaurants that reported through the iLumen Reporting Software, with the top half of franchise restaurants seeing net sales of $2,589,666.

Keke’s Breakfast Cafe® is a burgeoning breakfast and lunch franchise backed by the Denny’s® Corporation that offers fresh, made-to-order meals in a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. With 70 locations and plans for rapid expansion, Keke’s aims to be a leading name in the breakfast and brunch industry.

1. What Is the Brand Overview for Keke’s Breakfast Cafe?

About the Brand

Founded in 2006, Keke’s Breakfast Cafe was created by two brothers who wanted to bring a modern twist to the classic American breakfast. After relocating to Florida and struggling to find breakfast spots that reminded them of their hometown favorites in Philadelphia, they set out to create something better. This vision led to the birth of Keke’s — a breakfast and lunch cafe built around fresh ingredients, generous portions, a spotless environment and warm, efficient service. Since its inception, Keke’s has grown rapidly, with 73 locations across the United States and plans for continued expansion.

Mission: Keke’s Breakfast Cafe aims to serve delicious, made-to-order meals in a family-friendly environment, offering a high-quality dining experience for every customer. The brand is committed to bringing the best breakfast and lunch options to each community it serves, ensuring guests leave happy and satisfied.

Vision: Keke’s vision is to become a household name in the breakfast and brunch industry by expanding across the U.S. while serving 40 million fresh starts annually by 2030. The brand strives to maintain its high standards of quality, service and community engagement as it continues its growth journey. Supported by Denny’s® Corporation, Keke’s is well-positioned to dominate the breakfast space in both large and small markets.

Unique Selling Points (USPs):

Fresh, Made-to-Order Meals: Every dish at Keke’s is made fresh to order, ensuring the highest quality and most flavorful experience. Focusing on fresh ingredients and minimal frozen products allows for a superior dining experience.
Diverse and High-Quality Menu: Keke’s offers a wide range of breakfast and lunch options, from classic pancakes and omelets to fresh salads and sandwiches, appealing to a variety of tastes and dietary preferences. Signature items like Florida Pancakes and plate-edge-to-edge omelets are customer favorites.
Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Keke’s prides itself on creating a welcoming, family-friendly environment that invites guests of all ages to enjoy a warm, comfortable dining experience. Each new Keke’s location also features a local-first design, incorporating elements of the surrounding community to make each café feel like a true neighborhood spot.

2. What Are the Franchise Opportunity Details?

Why Franchise With Keke’s Breakfast Cafe?

High-Volume, Low-Hour Operations: Keke’s Breakfast Cafe operates with a unique model that allows franchisees to enjoy high sales volume within a 7.5-hour window each day. This schedule, typically running from 7:00 AM to 2:30 PM, allows for better work-life balance, simplified staffing and a more efficient operation compared to traditional all-day restaurants. Franchisees benefit from lower food costs, higher profitability and less complexity in managing staff.
Backed by Denny’s Corporation: As part of Denny’s Corporation, Keke’s Breakfast Cafe leverages decades of operational expertise, supply chain strength and franchising know-how. Franchisees gain access to unparalleled support, from site selection and lease negotiation to kitchen equipment sourcing and ongoing operational assistance. Denny’s experience is invaluable in ensuring Keke’s franchisees can thrive.
Proven, Scalable Business Model: Keke’s has an established track record with impressive average AUVs of $2,089,007 in 2024 for all franchised restaurants that reported through the iLumen Reporting Software, with the top half of franchise restaurants seeing net sales of $2,589,666 The brand has experienced significant growth in major markets, and with the backing of Denny’s, Keke’s is well-positioned to become a household name in breakfast and brunch. This established business model, combined with a simple operational setup, makes Keke’s an attractive opportunity for entrepreneurs.
Community-Focused Brand: Keke’s Breakfast Cafe is deeply embedded in the communities it serves. Each new location features local touches, sometimes with city names even displayed on the walls, ensuring that Keke’s feels like a part of the neighborhood. The brand emphasizes exceptional customer service, which is why it has built a loyal following. This commitment to local engagement and high-quality service sets Keke’s apart from other competitors in the market.
Sustainable and Strong Margins: Operating with lower food costs compared to other dayparts, Keke’s focuses on fresh ingredients, minimal frozen items and a well-curated menu that combines breakfast classics with lunch favorites. The result is strong profit margins, which is one of the key benefits of Keke’s model.
Explosive Growth and Expansion: With plans to target 12-20 new openings in 2025, Keke’s is set to rapidly expand its footprint. This growth is backed by Denny’s and the continued demand for high-quality breakfast and brunch options. The opportunity is now for investors and owner-operators to get in early and benefit from the brand’s expansion into major markets across the country.

Available Territories

Keke’s is continuing its expansion across various regions in the U.S. Specific available territories can be explored by contacting the franchise development team. For more details, visit the Keke's franchise website.

Investment Overview

Initial Costs: The total estimated initial investment to open a Keke’s Breakfast Cafe franchise ranges from $622,825 to $1,887,313, depending on location and other factors. Below is a detailed breakdown from Item 7 of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD):

Item	Min ($)	Max ($)
Initial Franchise Fee	$30,000	$30,000
Location Assistance Fee	$0	$500
Rent – 3 Months	$28,125	$56,813
Security Deposits	$2,500	$25,000
Leasehold Improvements	$195,000	$975,000
Equipment, Furniture, and Fixtures	$260,000	$325,000
POS Computer System	$25,000	$40,000
Insurance – 3 Months	$15,000	$50,000
Alcohol License	$1,000	$40,000
Permits and Licenses	$500	$2,500
Initial Inventory	$13,000	$26,000
Signage	$7,700	$19,500
Grand Opening Advertising	$7,500	$7,500
Blueprints	$0	$32,500
New Restaurant Opening Fee	$20,000	$20,000
Travel and Living Expenses for Training	$0	$25,000
Professional Fees	$2,500	$7,500
Construction Impact Fees	$0	$154,500
Additional Funds	$15,000	$50,000

Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee is $30,000, due upon signing the franchise agreement.

Ongoing Fees: Keke’s Breakfast Cafe franchisees are responsible for several ongoing fees. These include:

Fee Type	Amount	Due Date	Remarks
Royalty Fee	5% - 5.5% of Gross Sales	Weekly, due on Wednesday	Royalty fees are calculated based on gross sales for the previous week.
Brand Building Fund	2% - 3% of Gross Sales	Weekly, payable together with the Royalty Fee	Contributions to the national Brand Building Fund for marketing materials.
Technology Support Fee	0.25% of Gross Sales	Weekly, payable with the Royalty and Brand Building Fund	Paid when the required computer system is installed.
Cooperative Advertising	As determined by Cooperative	As determined by the cooperative	Paid if a cooperative is formed in your area.
Initial Training Fee (New or Replacement Employees)	$1,500 per person for 12 days	Before training	Applies for new or replacement employees.
Additional On-Site Training	$450 per day + expenses	When billed	If extra training is required.
New Restaurant Opening Training	$20,000	30 days before training	Required before opening a new restaurant.

ROI Potential: According to Item 19 in the FDD, the following financial performance data has been reported for Keke’s Breakfast Cafe franchises. Reporting includes all franchise restaurants that reported through the iLumen Reporting Software.

Fiscal Year	Item	Top Half ($)	Percent of Sales	Average Sales ($)	Percent of Sales	Bottom Half ($)	Percent of Sales
2024	Net Sales	$2,589,666	100%	$2,089,007	100%	$1,626,860	100%
2024	Food	$603,858	23.3%	$484,028	23.2%	$373,416	23.0%
2024	Total Labor / Taxes / Fringe Benefits	$954,009	36.8%	$767,328	36.7%	$595,008	36.6%
2024	EBITDA before Royalties, Advertising, Occupancy Cost and Management Fees	$757,160	29.2%	$600,994	28.8%	$456,840	28.1%

Notes:

The reported average net sales for Keke’s franchises in 2024, as reported through the iLumen Reporting Software, were $2,089,007.
The top half of average net sales for a Keke’s franchise in 2024 reached $2,589,666, while the bottom half of average net sales was $1,626,860 as reported through the iLumen Reporting Software.

3. What Franchisee Support Does Keke’s Provide?

Training Programs
Keke’s provides a 10-day comprehensive training covering all aspects of restaurant management, food preparation, customer service, and marketing.

Operational Support
Franchisees receive assistance in site selection, lease negotiation, restaurant setup, and ongoing operations. The Keke’s team ensures franchisees follow brand standards and operational excellence.

Technology and Tools
Keke’s equips franchisees with point-of-sale systems, inventory management software, and marketing tools to streamline operations and enhance customer engagement.

4. What Are the Franchise Requirements for Keke’s?

Eligibility Criteria

Net Worth: $1 million minimum
Liquid Capital: $300,000 minimum
Experience: Prior restaurant or hospitality experience is preferred but not required.

Operational Commitments
Franchisees should plan for a full-time, hands-on role, managing day-to-day operations. The business model is generally not suited for semi-absentee ownership.

Funding Assistance
Keke’s does not provide direct financing but encourages prospective franchisees to seek third-party lending options or other financial institutions for assistance.

5. What Is the Market Potential for Breakfast Franchises?

The U.S. breakfast and brunch restaurant market is valued at nearly $16 billion and continues to grow. The market for quick-service and sit-down breakfast franchises is expected to see steady growth due to consumer demand for higher-quality breakfast foods.

Competitor Analysis
While IHOP, First Watch, and Waffle House lead the breakfast segment, Keke’s stands out by offering a premium breakfast experience with made-to-order meals and exceptional service. The brand's focus on fresh ingredients and modern dining environments provides a competitive edge in the breakfast category.

6. What Is the Application Process for Keke’s Franchisees?

Step-by-Step Guide to the Franchise Application Process

Initial Inquiry: Submit an online inquiry via Keke’s franchise website.
FDD Review: Review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) with legal and financial advisors.
Discovery Day: Attend a Discovery Day at Keke’s headquarters to meet the team and learn about the operations.
Franchise Agreement: Sign the franchise agreement and pay the initial franchise fee.
Training and Opening: Complete the 10-day training program and prepare for the grand opening.
Ongoing Support: Receive ongoing support from Keke’s for operational and marketing success.

For more details, visit the Keke’s franchise application page.

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 informational purposes 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.

Keke's Breakfast Cafe Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025