Harlem Shake Franchise Cost and Requirements for 2025

Background

Customers see Harlem Shake as a community gathering spot where we serve critic's-choice burgers and shakes made from premium ingredients in a comfortable, familiar space with a retro vibe that celebrates and preserves Harlem's rich culture and history.

Our menu caters to both simple and sophisticated tastes and draws locals and tourists alike. It's a welcoming space that appeals to people of all backgrounds and ages-from baby boomers down to Gen Z. Amid a backdrop of hundreds of autographed celebrity headshots and a "Wall of Fro," burger and shake lovers make lifelong memories with friends and family. Special touches include organic shakes and fancy bottled sodas from small, independent and vintage producers.

We are proud to be entrenched in the Harlem community, where we hire predominantly in the neighborhood and support a variety of local organizations and non-profits.

All the above combines to lend Harlem Shake some serious local cred along with international brand recognition status and a strong, loyal following. As a result, Harlem Shake has been honorably dubbed a "NYC must."

Company Details

Established: 2013
First Unit Franchised: NA
Franchised Units: 0
Company Owned Units: 2
States Registered In: Alabama - AL, Arkansas - AR, Colorado - CO, Connecticut - CT, Delaware - DE, Florida - FL, Georgia - GA, Idaho - ID, Iowa - IA, Kansas - KS, Massachusetts - MA, Michigan - MI, Mississippi - MS, Missouri - MO, Montana - MT, Nevada - NV, New Hampshire - NH, New Jersey - NJ, New Mexico - NM, New York - NY, Ohio - OH, Oklahoma - OK, Oregon - OR, Pennsylvania - PA, Rhode Island - RI, Tennessee - TN, Vermont - VT, West Virginia - WV, Wyoming - WY
Canada Franchises: Yes
International Franchises: Yes (Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, South America)

Support and Training Offered By Harlem Shake

Financial Assistance Provided: Yes
Specify: We referring to independent and not affiliated financing source
Site Selection Assistance: Yes
Specify: We provide site selection consulting at no additional cost. Using site selection software
Lease Negotiation Assistance: No
Recruiting Assistance: Yes
Specify: Workstream platform with built in ads for all positions
Cooperative Advertising: No

Training:

We periodically conduct our Initial Training Program throughout the year, as needed. Training is currently supervised by Jelena and Emil. They both have ten years' experience running the company outlet.

Our training materials consist of our Operations Manual.

The cost of our instructors and training materials for up to three (3) individuals is included in the Initial Franchise Fee. You must pay for all of travel and personal expenses, including, but not limited to, all costs for your transportation, meals, and lodging for yourself and your personnel. Our current fee to provide initial training to any additional trainee is $4,000 per person.

If you do not complete our Initial Management Training Program to our satisfaction, we reserve the right to terminate the Franchise Agreement.

We will provide you with on-site training, supervision and assistance for up to seven (7) days upon the opening of your Franchised Business.

We may conduct mandatory or optional additional training programs, including an annual conference or national business meeting. If we require it, you must attend mandatory training programs that we offer for up to four (4) days per year at a location we designate. We may also require you to attend a national business meeting or annual convention for up to three (3) days per year, at a location we designate. We reserve the right to impose a reasonable fee for tuition and/or attendance for all additional training programs, including the annual business meeting or conference. You must also pay your transportation, lodging, meals and other expenses to attend any mandatory training program. If you fail to attend any mandatory training program, you are required to obtain the training at a location we designate, at your sole cost, which includes tuition at the then-current rate, plus all of your travel costs and our trainer's travel costs.

Special instructions/notes: Trainers

Pedro Ramirez Navarrete has 21 years' experience working (9 years with the company outlet) with Jou Jou Cafe group and Kitchen Provance Caterers including kitchen manager and production manager. Pedro joined Harlem Shake in 2013 on its very first day as a BOH manager. Pedro knows every aspect of kitchen operations inside an out, and is vested in business up to the present date. Pedro currently manages our Harlem wholly owned location.

Arturo Villeda 16 years' experience (10 years with the company outlet) with Plum Pomidor including shift supervisor, line cook and head cook. Arturo worked his way up from line cook, to expeditor, shift supervisor and then Assistant Manager of our Brooklyn location. Arturo has become a partner in 2020, and currently runs back of the house operations, ordering, food quality and BOH training in Brooklyn location and is excited about training prospective franchisees.

Camisha Louis 7 years' experience with the company outlet including roles as cashier, expeditor, assistant manager and shift supervisor. Camisha was promoted to Store Manager and got vested in Brooklyn wholly owned location in 2021. Camisha currently is District Manager for the wholly owned stores and trains incoming FOH staff for all stores.

Natalee Spottswood has one year with the company outlet and 5 years' experience in hotel management , 10 years of culinary experience, 10 years of hospitality and guest services experience and 5 years of team leadership experience..

2025 Franchise Requirements Needed to Own a Harlem Shake Franchise.

What does a Harlem Shake Franchise Cost?

Harlem Shake franchise fees for 2025:

Cash Investment: $150,000 - $840,000
Total Investment: $409,000 - $840,000
Minimum Net Worth: $500,000
Single Unit Franchise Fee: $40,000
Franchise Fee for each additional unit: $34,000
Royalty: 6%
Ad: 1% of Gross Sales Local Ad Fee
Other Fees: 2% of Gross Sales Marketing Fund
Item 19: Yes
Average Number of Employees: 15
Visa Candidates: Yes
Passive Ownership: Yes
Semi-Passive Ownership: Yes
Specify: Passive will be allowed with appointed Manager, Semi-passive will be allowed also with appointed Manager for single unit operators. Refer to article 11.1, 11.3 and 12.16 of FA and Item 11 and 15 of FDD.
Home-Based: No
B2B: No
Master Franchise Opportunities: Yes
Veteran Discount: Yes (15% of Franchise Fee)

Is Harlem Shake a Semi Absentee Franchise with a Passive Ownership Opportunity?

Yes. Harlem Shake is a semi absentee franchise and allows passive ownership. A semi-absentee franchise is a business you could start and run while still maintaining a job or other obligation.

Is Harlem Shake a Home Based franchise?

No. Harlem Shake is not a home based franchise opportunity.

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What Do Harlem Shake Franchise Owners Make?

Click here to find out how much Harlem Shake franchisees make. Harlem Shake offers an Item 19 in their Franchise Disclosure Document which provides financial information about select franchisees in their franchise system.

Is Harlem Shake a Master Franchise Opportunity?

Yes. Harlem Shake is a master franchise opportunity. A master franchisee is responsible to recruit, train and support franchisees in their territory.

Does Harlem Shake Offer a Veteran Discount?

Yes. Harlem Shake franchise does offer a veteran discount.

Does Harlem Shake Work with E2 Visa and EB-5 Visa Candidates?

Yes. Harlem Shake franchise does work with E2 Visa and EB-5 Visa candidates.

Is Harlem Shake Looking for Franchisees in Canada?

Yes. Harlem Shake franchise is looking for Canada franchisees.

Is Harlem Shake Looking for International franchisees?

Yes. Harlem Shake franchise is looking for International franchisees.

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Additional Information

Additional Categories

Food & Restaurants

Number of Units Open

LESS THAN 20 UNITS

Cash Required

More than $250,000

Master Franchise

Yes

Passive Franchise

Yes

Home Based Franchise

No

Item 19 Franchise

Yes

Veteran Discount

No

B2B

No

Franchise Opportunities in Canada

Yes

International Franchise Opportunities

Yes

E2 Visa Franchise

Yes

Harlem Shake Franchises for Sale

Click Here to inquire about existing Harlem Shake franchises for sale. We may have Harlem Shake franchise resales. A franchise resale is an already established franchise owned by a franchisee and the franchisee is looking to sell their franchise.

The International Franchise Professionals Group (IFPG) is an internationally recognized membership-based franchise organization. IFPG Franchise Consultants guide aspiring business owners through the process of identifying and investing in franchise businesses. The IFPG represents more than 550 franchises. We do not represent all franchises listed here. By clicking on "Request a Consultation," you are agreeing to be contacted by one of our Certified Franchise Consultants to discuss franchise ownership.

About our rankings: The IFPG uses its internal data collected from our membership portal to identify which franchises had the most activity in the past week. This ranking system is not based on franchise sales, franchisee success rates or number of units open. Our ranking system should not be used to make a decision on which franchise to buy it was solely created for internal purposes and for our IFPG Members.