How to Finance a Dirty Dough Franchise: Cookie Shop Costs
By Marc Cornella
A Dirty Dough franchise loan finances a specialty dessert shop built around stuffed cookies and mix-in sodas. The franchising page of the brand’s parent company lists an estimated investment of $200K to $480K, which puts the brand in the range of a small-footprint bakery build-out rather than a full-service restaurant.
Because Dirty Dough is not on the SBA Franchise Directory, financing usually runs through conventional term loans, equipment financing and the buyer’s own capital. This article explains how to plan the costs, how lenders view an emerging dessert brand and what to check in the FDD before you borrow.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Dirty Dough; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document and website can change, loan programs vary, and every loan is subject to approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice, so review the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and franchise agreement with a franchise attorney and an accountant before you sign.
Dirty Dough Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: stuffed cookies, rotating cookie flavors and sodas with mix-ins and toppings, sold for carryout and delivery.
- Founded: 2018, with ownership passing to a multi-brand restaurant company in 2024.
- Estimated investment: $200K to $480K, according to the parent company’s franchising page.
- Initial franchise fee, royalty and marketing fund: not published on the materials we could verify; read Items 5 and 6 of the current FDD.
- Owner requirements: net worth and liquid capital minimums were not published in materials we could verify.
- Co-location: the parent company promotes pairing Dirty Dough with a sister quick-service concept in one site.
- SBA Franchise Directory: not listed, so conventional financing is the main route.
What Is Dirty Dough?
Dirty Dough is a cookie brand founded in 2018 that built its following on oversized cookies stuffed with fillings, a rotating weekly menu and branded drinks the company calls “Dirty Drinks,” sodas with mix-ins and toppings. Shops are designed mainly for takeout, delivery and catering orders, with a bakery production area behind a compact counter.
The brand has also operated food trucks alongside its stores. In 2024 it was acquired by a multi-brand restaurant company, which now lists it among the franchise brands it offers and handles franchise inquiries.
How lenders see it. Lenders generally treat Dirty Dough as an emerging, specialty dessert franchise. Dessert concepts can produce strong traffic around a rotating menu, but they also face heavy competition and shifting consumer tastes. Because the brand is not on the SBA Franchise Directory and changed ownership recently, lenders lean heavily on the buyer’s personal strength, experience and the specific site. Our guide to financing an emerging franchise explains what that means in practice.
Dirty Dough Franchise Costs
The parent company’s franchising page lists an estimated total investment of $200K to $480K. It does not break out the line items, so use Item 7 of the FDD for the detail.
Initial franchise fee. Item 5 discloses the fee and any development or multi-unit terms. Ask what training and opening support it covers.
Real estate and build-out. Most shops lease space in a shopping center. Build-out covers the bakery production area, a customer-facing counter, display cases, drink station, plumbing, electrical for ovens and mixers, ventilation and signage. A co-located site with a sister concept may share some costs.
Equipment. Expect commercial convection ovens, planetary mixers, sheet pan racks, walk-in or reach-in refrigeration and freezers, soda and ice equipment, display cases, packaging stations and a point-of-sale system integrated with online ordering and delivery.
Opening inventory and working capital. Inventory covers flour, butter, chocolate, fillings, toppings, drink syrups and branded boxes. Item 7 also lists additional funds for an initial period.
Total investment. Check that Item 7 includes these line items:
- Initial franchise fee
- Lease deposits and initial rent
- Leasehold improvements
- Ovens, mixers and bakery equipment
- Refrigeration and freezers
- Drink station and ice equipment
- Furniture, fixtures and display cases
- Signage
- Technology, point-of-sale and online ordering
- Opening inventory and packaging
- Training travel and expenses
- Grand opening marketing
- Additional funds for the stated initial period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Item 6 lists the royalty, brand fund contribution, technology fees, delivery platform costs, transfer and renewal fees and any remodel requirements. Royalties are usually a percentage of gross sales, so lenders deduct them before sizing a Dirty Dough franchise loan.
Dessert shops also carry delivery commissions, packaging costs and late-night labor. Lenders add these to rent and royalties to judge how much debt the shop can carry. Use our conventional loan calculator to test monthly payments against a conservative sales estimate.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
We could not verify published net worth, liquid capital or experience minimums. The parent company’s franchising page says the FDD is sent within five business days of an inquiry, so request it early. Expect a review of your finances, restaurant or retail management experience and development plans.
The process generally includes an inquiry, discovery calls, the FDD review period, site approval, lease negotiation, training and opening.
Ways to Own a Dirty Dough
A new shop. A start-up requires financing the fee, build-out, equipment and opening costs. See our page on restaurant start-up financing.
Buying an existing shop. Resales come with sales history, equipment and trained staff, which helps underwriting. Lenders review tax returns, sales reports and delivery mix. Learn how franchise restaurant acquisition financing works.
Co-location. The parent company promotes pairing Dirty Dough with a sister quick-service concept in a single site. Financing a dual-brand location means underwriting both concepts and both franchise agreements.
Multi-unit development. Buyers committing to several shops sign a development schedule, and lenders want to see capital for each opening.
Financing Options for a Dirty Dough Franchise
Conventional term loans. For most buyers, a conventional business loan is the main tool. Lenders size it to the shop’s projected cash flow and the borrower’s collateral and guaranty.
SBA 7(a) loans. The SBA 7(a) program is widely used for franchises, but SBA lenders generally require a franchise brand to appear on the SBA Franchise Directory. See the SBA section below.
SBA 504 loans. The 504 program finances owner-occupied real estate and long-lived fixed assets. It rarely fits a leased cookie shop and faces the same directory issue.
Equipment financing. Ovens, mixers, refrigeration and display cases can often be financed separately, with the equipment as collateral. See our restaurant equipment financing and leasing options.
Working capital and lines of credit. Dessert sales peak around holidays, school breaks and promotions, and new shops need cushion during ramp-up. Explore restaurant working capital.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may carry part of the price. A seller note is typically subordinate to the senior loan.
SBA Loans for Dirty Dough Franchisees
The SBA Franchise Directory lists brands whose franchise agreements have been reviewed for SBA eligibility. SBA lenders generally require a brand to be listed before making an SBA-guaranteed loan to its franchisee.
Dirty Dough is not on the SBA Franchise Directory. In plain terms, SBA 7(a) and 504 loans are generally not available for a Dirty Dough franchise right now, so buyers should plan on conventional financing. The absence of a listing is not a judgment about the brand. A franchisor can submit its documents for review, so directory status can change; confirm it with your lender when you apply. If the brand is added, the SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change.
How Lenders Evaluate a Dirty Dough Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Expect a credit review, tax returns and a personal guaranty.
Net worth and liquidity. Without an SBA option, lenders typically expect a larger equity contribution and solid reserves.
Industry and management experience. Food service, bakery or retail management experience strengthens a request.
Business plan and projections. Build projections around realistic daily orders, delivery mix, catering and seasonality. Base them on comparable shops, not the brand’s busiest locations.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders read Items 3, 20 and 21 closely for an emerging brand: litigation, openings, closures and transfers, and the franchisor’s financial statements. Our guide to how lenders read an FDD explains why.
Site and lease. Underwriters review lease length, rent and co-tenancy.
For resales, historical financials. Expect several years of tax returns and sales reports.
Bakery Equipment and Delivery Technology
Cookie shops run on a compact but intense production line: ovens, mixers and cooling racks sized for peak days, plus refrigeration for dough and fillings. Online ordering and delivery integrations are part of the equipment package too. Equipment financing can preserve cash for working capital, and lenders often accept the equipment as collateral.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
Owners who add shops can share bakers, managers and marketing. Lenders underwrite the first shop’s results alongside projections for the next and will ask how the development schedule is funded. Read more about multi-unit franchise financing.
Real-World Scenarios
A first-time owner opening one shop. A buyer with retail management experience uses a conventional Dirty Dough franchise loan for build-out, adds equipment financing for ovens and refrigeration, and holds a cash reserve.
A buyer acquiring a resale. A buyer purchases an operating shop from a relocating owner. The lender reviews tax returns and delivery data, and the seller carries a small subordinate note.
A dual-brand site. An existing restaurant operator adds Dirty Dough inside a co-located site, and the lender underwrites the combined cash flow.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming an SBA loan is available for a brand not on the SBA Franchise Directory
- Skipping Items 3, 20 and 21 of the FDD
- Basing projections on launch-week sales
- Underestimating delivery commissions and packaging
- Leaving too little working capital for the ramp-up
See more pitfalls in restaurant loan mistakes to avoid.
Next Steps to Finance Your Dirty Dough Franchise
Step 1: Request the FDD. Review Items 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 17, 19, 20 and 21 with advisors.
Step 2: Talk with current franchisees. Ask about sales ramp-up, delivery and support.
Step 3: Select a site. Get build-out bids and lease terms.
Step 4: Price equipment. Obtain quotes for ovens, mixers and refrigeration.
Step 5: Build projections. Model conservative sales with full occupancy and delivery costs.
Step 6: Apply for financing. Submit a conventional loan package and align it with franchisor approval.
Dirty Dough Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Dirty Dough franchise cost?
The parent company’s franchising page lists an estimated investment of $200K to $480K. Item 7 of the FDD breaks it down.
What is the Dirty Dough franchise fee?
Item 5 of the FDD discloses the fee; we could not verify it from the franchisor’s published materials.
What royalty does Dirty Dough charge?
Item 6 lists the royalty, brand fund and other fees.
How much liquid capital do I need?
Published minimums could not be confirmed. Expect lenders to look for a meaningful equity contribution and reserves.
Can I get an SBA loan for a Dirty Dough?
Dirty Dough is not on the SBA Franchise Directory, so SBA financing is generally not available. Confirm current status with your lender.
Can I finance equipment separately?
Often, yes. Ovens, mixers and refrigeration can be financed with the equipment as collateral.
Can I buy an existing Dirty Dough?
Yes, if one is for sale and the franchisor approves the transfer.
Does Dirty Dough offer financing?
Check Item 10 of the FDD for any financing the franchisor offers.
How long is the franchise term?
Item 17 and the franchise agreement state the term, renewal and transfer conditions.
Does the FDD include earnings information?
Review Item 19 to see whether the FDD includes financial performance representations.
Final Thoughts
A Dirty Dough franchise loan is a conventional financing project for most buyers. Careful FDD review, a conservative projection and enough equity and reserves give lenders the confidence to fund an emerging dessert brand.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and restaurant financing solutions.
