What the sector pays
Investment declared by the networks per square meter has a median of R$ 5,292 in 174 networks, from R$ 21,111 in units of up to 15 m² to R$ 1,783 above 120 m²
Declared investment per square meter, median of 174 networks with value and area of the same model, as read on November 8, 2026
See the full table (7 rows)
| Segment | Networks | Median, R$ per m² | First quartile | Third quartile | Median area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food, retail and distribution | 14 | R$ 11,686 | R$ 4,935 | R$ 29,375 | 17 m² |
| Fashion and accessories | 28 | R$ 8,167 | R$ 3,938 | R$ 11,281 | 40 m² |
| Food | 65 | R$ 6,667 | R$ 4,000 | R$ 15,714 | 35 m² |
| Health, beauty and wellness | 26 | R$ 3,875 | R$ 2,982 | R$ 6,861 | 55 m² |
| Services and other businesses | 26 | R$ 3,300 | R$ 2,300 | R$ 7,000 | 42.5 m² |
| Gyms and sports | 9 | R$ 2,340 | R$ 1,663 | R$ 3,267 | 180 m² |
| Education | 6 | R$ 2,205 | R$ 1,922 | R$ 2,761 | 115 m² |
Investment per square meter, by categoryCategories with 5 or more networks with investment and area of the same model.
| Category | Networks | Median, R$ per m² | First quartile | Third quartile | Median area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese food | 5 | R$ 11,000 | R$ 5,333 | R$ 14,400 | 40 m² |
| footwear | 8 | R$ 9,967 | R$ 8,917 | R$ 11,281 | 40 m² |
| açaí | 11 | R$ 9,222 | R$ 3,852 | R$ 20,844 | 20 m² |
| clothing | 6 | R$ 7,088 | R$ 2,750 | R$ 10,481 | 70 m² |
| coffee shop | 7 | R$ 6,188 | R$ 6,000 | R$ 12,333 | 30 m² |
| laser hair removal | 6 | R$ 5,667 | R$ 3,901 | R$ 7,236 | 55 m² |
| specialty grocery | 5 | R$ 5,500 | R$ 4,747 | R$ 9,000 | 30 m² |
| stationery and gifts | 5 | R$ 5,000 | R$ 2,375 | R$ 11,111 | 45 m² |
| savory snacks | 8 | R$ 4,333 | R$ 3,346 | R$ 13,829 | 30 m² |
| gym | 6 | R$ 2,526 | R$ 1,458 | R$ 3,141 | 215 m² |
| ice cream shop | 7 | R$ 2,500 | R$ 2,117 | R$ 5,375 | 100 m² |
Investment per square meter, by minimum area rangeThe model's area explains part of the differences between categories.
| Model's minimum area | Networks | Median, R$ per m² | First quartile | Third quartile | Median investment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 15 m² | 31 | R$ 21,111 | R$ 15,520 | R$ 32,786 | R$ 152,000 |
| 16 to 30 m² | 35 | R$ 6,333 | R$ 4,000 | R$ 10,217 | R$ 160,000 |
| 31 to 60 m² | 51 | R$ 6,000 | R$ 3,750 | R$ 11,056 | R$ 281,500 |
| 61 to 120 m² | 36 | R$ 3,535 | R$ 2,460 | R$ 5,000 | R$ 269,000 |
| Above 120 m² | 21 | R$ 1,783 | R$ 1,432 | R$ 2,722 | R$ 490,000 |
How the model was identifiedPaths with 5 or more networks. 4 networks are included through other paths described in the method.
| Path | Networks | Median, R$ per m² | First quartile | Third quartile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page with a single model and a single physical format | 86 | R$ 4,042 | R$ 2,203 | R$ 8,512 |
| Model name includes the area | 24 | R$ 5,112 | R$ 3,650 | R$ 7,844 |
| Area excerpt includes the model name | 9 | R$ 13,200 | R$ 9,222 | R$ 22,778 |
| Value and area adjacent in the page text | 51 | R$ 7,500 | R$ 4,100 | R$ 21,056 |
The initial investment published by a network depends on the size of the unit, and comparison across networks calls for a value per area. The indicator divides the declared investment by the declared minimum area, only when both figures belong to the same unit model, a condition met by 174 of the 289 networks that publish both data points, as read on November 8, 2026. The median is R$ 5,292 per square meter, with half of the networks between R$ 2,885 and R$ 11,825, for a median investment of R$ 250,000 and a median area of 40 m².
The value falls as the area increases, from R$ 21,111 in units of up to 15 m² to R$ 1,783 in those above 120 m², since the median investment rises, across these ranges, from R$ 152,000 to R$ 490,000, proportionally less than the area. By segment, the median ranges from R$ 2,205 in education to R$ 11,686 in food, retail and distribution. Among categories, 11 reach 5 or more networks, from R$ 2,500 in ice cream shops to R$ 11,000 in Japanese food.
How we calculate
The numerator is the lowest declared investment for the model, and the denominator is the minimum area of the same model, both read on the network's own page. The link is established when the page has a single model and a single physical format (86 networks), in which case the value range is divided by the smallest area, or when the model name includes the area, the value excerpt includes the area, the area excerpt names the model, all models have the same value, or value and area appear side by side in the text, within 80 characters, with no other value, area or condition between them (88 networks). On pages with several models, the smallest identified model applies, and every model value must appear in the text read.
Networks with a page dated before 2024 (29), with a price per square meter declared separately (2) and with only formats that have no premises of their own (3) are removed. The 81 networks with several models and no link between value and area are not included, because the lowest value and the smallest area may belong to different models. Cells with fewer than 5 networks are not published.
The median is R$ 4,042 in single-model networks and R$ 6,219 in multi-model networks, a difference consistent with the choice of the smallest model. Without the pairs established by adjacency, the overall median would be R$ 4,889, and, in single-model networks, dividing the midpoints of value and area would result in R$ 3,821.
What this figure does not show
- The values are declared by the networks themselves, read on November 8, 2026, are not verified by the observatory and do not have a uniform composition, since each network includes different items. They generally refer to the smallest model offered, and the binding document is the disclosure document (Circular de Oferta de Franquia), delivered to the candidate.
- The result is not a construction cost. The declared investment may include the franchise fee, equipment, initial inventory and working capital, in a composition that varies across networks and is rarely stated.
- The minimum area is not the average area of the units. Dividing by the minimum raises the value per square meter, and the effect is greater in kiosks and compact formats, which is why the comparison between categories should take into account the typical area of each one, given in the tables.
- The set comprises networks that publish both data points with an identifiable link, 9.0% of the 1,931 networks with a page read, and does not represent the others. In categories with few networks, the quartiles rest on few values.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a franchise cost per square meter?
In the 174 networks where investment and minimum area belong to the same model, the declared investment has a median of R$ 5,292 per square meter, with half between R$ 2,885 and R$ 11,825, as read on November 8, 2026. The value is declared by the networks, includes items that vary among them and does not correspond to construction cost.
Does a small franchise cost more per square meter?
Yes, at the median. Units of up to 15 m² have a declared investment of R$ 21,111 per square meter, and those above 120 m², R$ 1,783, because the median investment rises from R$ 152,000 to R$ 490,000, proportionally less than the area.
Which franchise segment has the highest investment per square meter?
Among segments with 5 or more comparable networks, the highest median of declared investment per square meter is in food, retail and distribution, at R$ 11,686, and the lowest in education, at R$ 2,205. Part of the difference stems from the typical area of each segment.
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What the sector paysOther indicators in the same group
Maintained by Marktech, which serves franchise networks and franchises. The brands cited belong to their owners and are mentioned here only to identify the network the data refers to.