Elmer's Kitchen

Elmer's Kitchen

Information based on 2024 FDD

Food & Beverage · Breakfast & Brunch

Investment min
$1M
Total: $1M–$4M
Avg gross revenue
N/A
Unit-level, 2024
Franchise fee
$40K
Per current disclosure
Royalty
4%
of gross revenue
Locations
13
Franchising since 1982

Description

What is Elmer's Kitchen?

Elmer's Kitchen, established in 1960, has earned its reputation as a beloved breakfast and brunch destination that combines classic American comfort food with exceptional hospitality. Known for their signature German pancakes, which have become a cult favorite among loyal customers, Elmer's offers a diverse menu that caters to both traditional breakfast enthusiasts and those seeking innovative morning fare.

The restaurant's commitment to quality is evident in their made-from-scratch offerings, including their famous Eggs Benedict variations, fresh-made crepes, and perfectly executed breakfast classics. Their menu particularly shines with specialties like their Dungeness crab Benedict, lingonberry crepes, and chicken fried steak, all prepared with attention to detail and premium ingredients.

What sets Elmer's Kitchen apart is their dedication to creating a warm, family-friendly atmosphere where generations of customers have created lasting memories. Their restaurants feature comfortable dining spaces flooded with natural light, and their staff is known for providing attentive, personalized service that makes every guest feel at home.

Beyond their core breakfast and brunch offerings, Elmer's Kitchen has maintained its success through consistent quality, generous portions, and reasonable prices. Their restaurants are particularly popular among families and early morning diners who appreciate their reliable service and welcoming environment. With a perfect balance of nostalgic charm and modern dining expectations, Elmer's Kitchen continues to be a standout choice in the competitive breakfast and brunch segment.
  • Family tradition since 1960 - over 60 years of proven operations
  • Signature breakfast specialties including Sun Omelet and Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
  • Comprehensive menu spanning breakfast, lunch and comfort foods
  • Active community partnership programs supporting local organizations
  • Established restaurant concept with signature dishes and loyal following
  • Multi-generational family-owned heritage with deep operational experience

Location Analysis

Where Elmer's Kitchen wins

Elmer's Kitchen, established in 1960, maintains a strategic presence across multiple states, with locations spanning both East Coast and Pacific Northwest regions. This selective geographic footprint demonstrates the brand's ability to succeed in diverse markets, while suggesting significant untapped expansion potential across the United States.

The brand's strong customer satisfaction metrics and positive review ratings indicate robust operational consistency and customer satisfaction within the breakfast and brunch segment. The brand's success in suburban markets, exemplified by strong performance in locations like Beaverton, Oregon, showcases the concept's particular strength in areas with robust morning traffic patterns.

For prospective franchisees, strategic expansion opportunities exist in both established and new markets, particularly in filling the geographic gaps between current locations. Ideal new locations should target areas with strong breakfast dining culture, limited direct competition in the full-service breakfast segment, and proximity to both residential and business districts. Site selection should prioritize areas with median household incomes above $65,000, morning commuter routes, and family-oriented demographics. The brand's 60+ year history and consistent performance across diverse markets demonstrates its resilience and adaptability to various market conditions.
Total US locations
21
Franchise units
13
Corporate locations
8
Avg. sq. footage
N/A

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Financial Analysis

The numbers behind Elmer's Kitchen

Avg gross revenueN/A
Investment range$1,420,450 – $4,295,425
Investment midpoint$2,857,938
Brand fund1% - 2%
Royalty4%
Franchise fee$40,000
Min. net worth
Min. liquid capital
Elmer's Kitchen requires a substantial investment of $1,420,450 - $4,295,425, positioning it as a premium franchise opportunity in the breakfast and brunch sector. This investment range significantly exceeds the sub-sector averages of $509,053 - $1,218,685, reflecting the brand's established market position and comprehensive restaurant infrastructure requirements. The higher capital requirements typically include kitchen equipment, dining room buildout, signage, and working capital for full-service restaurant operations.

The breakfast restaurant segment benefits from consistent consumer demand patterns, with morning dining representing a recession-resistant market category. However, the 21-unit system size indicates limited scale compared to major breakfast chains, which may affect brand recognition and operational efficiencies. Since 1960, Elmer's has demonstrated remarkable operational longevity spanning over six decades, though the modest unit count suggests measured growth rather than aggressive expansion.

This investment suits well-capitalized operators with restaurant management experience, given the operational complexity of full-service dining. The premium investment level requires substantial liquid capital and net worth, making it appropriate for experienced multi-unit operators or well-funded first-time franchisees. Territory rights and market protection become critical considerations given the limited system size. Prospective investors should evaluate local market demographics, breakfast dining competition, and site selection criteria carefully, as revenue data is not currently available for benchmarking purposes.
Did you know? Did you know that opening your own Elmer's Kitchen franchise - the beloved Pacific Northwest breakfast and comfort food destination famous for their legendary pancakes and homestyle cooking - requires a total investment between $1,420,450 and $4,295,425, which includes the $40,000 franchise fee plus all equipment, buildout, and startup costs needed to bring their warm, family-friendly dining experience to your community?

Financing partners

Vetted partners, tailored to franchisees

Your Franzy advisor can connect you with these partners later in the process — competitive rates, specialized in franchise financing.

FranFund

Lender

CRF USA

Nonprofit SBA lender; provides financing for franchise acquisitions, startups, and expansion.

Lender

First Bank of the Lake

Lender

Pension Pros

Lender

FDD Item 7

Initial investment range

$1M–$4M
Most common
$1,420,450
Minimum
$2,857,938
Midpoint
$4,295,425
Maximum

Per FDD Item 7, total initial investment ranges from $1,420,450 to $4,295,425. The midpoint $2,857,938 is what most franchisees report at signing — financing typically reduces cash-at-close by 80–90%. Knowing the investment range helps you plan confidently and ensure you're fully prepared to make the leap.

FDD Item 19

Average gross sales

$4M$3M$2M$2M$800KN/A
$2M
$3M
2022
2023
2024
Avg
$2M
YOY change (2023 -> 2024)
-100%

According to Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document, Elmer's Kitchen has average gross revenue data in our records. (Note: This information is based on the latest FDD in our records. Please review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and confirm this information directly with the brand. We make no claims of accuracy for the information presented.)

Growth over time

Franchise footprint

0% YoY
3024181260
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
21 units open as of 2024 FDD

2024 Franchise Disclosure

FDD documents

Below are items 2, 3, 4, 7, 11 and 19 for Elmer's Kitchen's 2024 FDD. The complete FDD is delivered to you directly by the franchisor, per the FTC Franchise Rule.

Estimated initial investment
FDD Item 7 · PDF
Financial performance representations
FDD Item 19 · PDF
Members-only items
Executive team
FDD Item 2 · PDF
Litigation
FDD Item 3 · PDF
Bankruptcy
FDD Item 4 · PDF
Franchisor assistance
FDD Item 11 · PDF
Members only
Unlock the 2024 FDD

Connect to download Items 2, 3, 4, and 11 — direct from the franchisor.

Buyer FAQs

Frequently asked questions

The initial investment for a Elmer's Kitchen franchise typically ranges between $1,420,450.00 and $4,295,425.00. This includes the franchise fee, equipment, real estate, and other startup costs. To get a detailed breakdown and better understand the financial requirements, we recommend scheduling a call with the Franzy team. We'll walk you through the specifics and answer any questions you might have. For more detailed information, refer to the financial sections of the FDD.

Disclaimer. The information provided on this page is based on the latest Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) that is publicly available and that we have on record, which was issued in 2024. This information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal, financial, or business advice. We make no guarantees or claims regarding the completeness or accuracy. For the most current and detailed information, we recommend consulting the franchisor directly for the most recent FDD and regarding any questions that you may have about the information provided.

Elmer's Kitchen
Elmer's Kitchen
N/A avg revenue · 13+ US franchises

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