Own a Piece of the Cafe Rio Legacy
Join one of the fastest-growing food franchise networks in the United States. Build your future with a proven brand, passionate team, and full operational support.
Benefits of a Cafe Rio Franchise
From day one, you'll have everything you need to run a successful and profitable Cafe Rio location.
Proven Brand Recognition
Leverage our 12+ years of brand equity and loyal customer base. Cafe Rio is a recognized name that customers trust and return to again and again.
Comprehensive Training
Our intensive 4-week training program covers everything from food preparation to financial management, marketing, and customer service excellence.
Ongoing Operational Support
Our dedicated franchise support team is always a call away. From opening day to daily operations, we provide guidance, tools, and resources.
National Marketing Power
Benefit from national advertising campaigns, social media presence, and marketing materials — all professionally designed to drive traffic and sales.
Streamlined Supply Chain
Access our pre-negotiated supplier relationships and streamlined supply chain. We secure the freshest ingredients at competitive prices so you don't have to.
Scalable Business Model
Start with a single location and grow. Our multi-unit franchise program rewards successful operators with reduced fees and priority territory selection.
Choose Your Investment Level
We offer flexible franchise models to match different investment capabilities and business goals.
Kiosk Model
- Franchise fee: $20,000
- Smaller footprint (200–400 sq ft)
- Mall, airport, or food court locations
- Core menu offerings
- Full training included
- 5% royalty fee on gross sales
Full Restaurant
- Franchise fee: $35,000
- 1,200–2,000 sq ft dining space
- Dine-in, takeout & delivery
- Full menu including beverages
- Comprehensive 4-week training
- 5% royalty + 2% marketing fund
- Dedicated regional support manager
Multi-Unit License
- Franchise fee: $25,000/unit
- 3–10 locations in exclusive territory
- Priority territory rights
- Dedicated multi-unit support team
- Reduced royalty rate (4%)
- Area development agreement
Your Path to Ownership
From inquiry to grand opening, our streamlined process gets you up and running in as little as 6 months.
Submit Your Inquiry
Complete the inquiry form below with your basic information, preferred location, and investment budget. Our franchise team will review your application within 3–5 business days.
Discovery Call
A Cafe Rio franchise development specialist will contact you to discuss your goals, answer questions, and determine mutual fit. This is your chance to learn everything about what it means to be a franchise partner.
Review FDD & Financial Qualification
We'll provide the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) for your review. Our team works with you to confirm financial qualification and connect you with preferred lenders if needed.
Discovery Day & Agreement Signing
Visit our Salt Lake City headquarters to meet the leadership team, tour a working location, and experience the Cafe Rio culture firsthand. Once both parties are aligned, we sign the franchise agreement.
Site Selection & Build-Out
Our real estate team assists with site selection, lease negotiation, and design planning. Approved vendors and our construction management team oversee the build-out to ensure brand standards are met.
Training Program
Complete our comprehensive 4-week training at a certified Cafe Rio training location. You'll master everything from kitchen operations and food safety to staff management and financial reporting.
Grand Opening & Beyond
We're with you on opening day. Our launch team provides on-site support for the first two weeks. After that, your dedicated regional manager provides ongoing coaching and quarterly business reviews.
We Support You Every Step of the Way
Our comprehensive support system is designed to maximize your success and minimize operational headaches.
Training & Development
Initial training plus ongoing workshops, webinars, and access to our digital learning platform for you and your staff.
Operations Toolkit
Complete operations manual, POS system, inventory management software, and scheduling tools included with your franchise package.
Digital Marketing
National brand campaigns, local marketing templates, social media support, and search engine optimization to grow your customer base.
Quality Assurance
Regular inspections, taste testing programs, and food safety audits ensure your location maintains the Cafe Rio standard of excellence.
Hear From Our Franchise Partners
Our franchisees are the heart of the Cafe Rio family. Here's what they have to say.
Joining Cafe Rio was the best business decision of my life. The support team is incredible — they answered every question and were on-site for my opening week. I couldn't have done it without them.
I had no prior restaurant experience, but the Cafe Rio training program gave me everything I needed. Within 18 months, my location was profitable and I'm already planning a second site.
The supply chain and brand recognition alone are worth the franchise fee. Customers already know and love Cafe Rio, so you walk in with a built-in audience. It's a fantastic investment.
Start Your Application
Fill out the form below and a member of our franchise development team will reach out to you personally to discuss the opportunity.