Apple Spice Box Lunch Delivery & Catering Franchise — Veteran Cost & Requirements (2026)
Apple Spice Box Lunch Delivery & Catering specializes in providing fresh, made-from-scratch boxed lunches and full-service catering for corporate events and special occasions. Founded in Salt Lake City in 1988, Apple Spice has expanded to serve businesses and events across the United States, ensuring quality and satisfaction in every meal.
Investment at a Glance
Military Fit Score
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What Is Apple Spice Box Lunch Delivery & Catering?
In 1988, Randy Clegg and Wayne Curtis rented a storefront from Fritz Haertel, the legendary Rye King of Salt Lake City. Fritz ran Salt Lake's successful Beehive Bakery, and even as his age required him to downsize his operation, he gave rise to a new one, Apple Spice Junction.
As an Apple Spice owner, you're running a commercial kitchen that serves two distinct revenue streams: boxed lunch delivery and full-service catering. The morning starts early with prep teams assembling fresh sandwiches, salads, and sides while your delivery drivers map their routes to local businesses and events. Your primary customers are corporate offices, medical facilities, and business parks ordering lunch for meetings and events. You'll build relationships with office managers and event planners who need reliable, quality food service. The catering side handles everything from wedding receptions to corporate conferences, with full setup and service available. Most of your time is spent on business development, managing your kitchen team, and ensuring smooth operations between prep, delivery, and catering crews. It's a Monday-Friday focused business with most catering happening on weekends, giving you some predictability in scheduling.
Quick Facts
Founded
1988
Franchising Since
2003
Total Locations
1463
Headquarters
California
Location Type
Commercial Location
Semi-Absentee
No
SBA Approved
No
Apple Spice Box Lunch Delivery & Catering Franchise Cost Breakdown (2026)
The total investment to open a Apple Spice Box Lunch Delivery & Catering franchise starts at $2,941,348. Here's what that covers and what you'll need to qualify.
Investment Breakdown
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Organizational and Training Expenses (incorporation, legal and accounting fees, training, site location and miscellaneous expenses) | $75,000 | $82,688 |
| Purchase of Land | See Note 1 | See Note 1 |
| Building Costs (purchase, construction, remodeling, etc.) Tower II Prototype | $1,721,592 | $2,355,863 |
| Building Costs (purchase, construction, remodeling, etc.) Celebration Prototype (2025; New Prototype Not Yet Built) | $1,254,046 | $1,716,062 |
| Site Work Tower II Prototype | $168,274 | $230,269 |
| Site Work Celebration Prototype (2025; New Prototype Not Yet Built) | $118,108 | $161,621 |
| Professional Services Tower II Prototype | $123,725 | $143,261 |
| Professional Services Celebration Prototype (2025; New Prototype Not Yet Built) | $97,820 | $133,858 |
| Permits/Fees (See below for Liquor License) | $26,000 | $28,900 |
| Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment and Signage Tower II Prototype | $1,220,400 | $1,348,864 |
| Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment and Signage Celebration Prototype (2025; New Prototype Not Yet Built) | $835,298 | $923,224 |
| POS System (Applebee’s) | $12,000 | $17,000 |
| POS System (Dual Brands) | $30,000 | $60,000 |
| POS System License Fees | $850 | $4,000 |
| Kitchen Display System | $1,500 | $2,400 |
| Smallwares (dishes, silverware, other utensils, etc.) | $39,779 | $43,966 |
| Initial Inventory | $25,500 | $28,000 |
| Pre-Opening Expenses (insurance, legal, accounting, personnel and training expenses) | $15,000 | $20,000 |
| Applicant’s Fee | $0 | $15,000 |
| Franchise Fee Deposit | $0 | $10,000 |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $25,000 | $35,000 |
| Initial Advertising Expense | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Liquor License(s) | $500 | $1,000,000 |
| Apple Supply Chain Co-op Stock Purchase | $0 | $5 |
| On-Line Ordering (OLO) | $65 per month | $200 per month |
| Europay, Mastercard, and Visa (“EMV”) Point to Point Encryption (“P2P”) Services | $1,350 | $4,200 |
| Wi-Fi Services | $100 per month | $300 per month |
| Wi-Fi Equipment | $1,200 | $2,000 |
| Digital Products Service Fee | $21 per month | $100 per month |
| Server Tablet Maintenance Fee | $500 per year | $500 per year |
| Implementation Fees | $800 | $3,500 |
| Menu Management Platform Fee | $90 per month per Restaurant | $180 per month per Restaurant |
| Customer Relationship Management (“CRM”) Fee | $0 | $150 per month |
| Gateway Processing Fee | $63 per month | $63 per month |
| Guest waitlist management | $23 per month | $75 per month |
| BOH Reporting – Food cost, Labor and business analytics reporting service | $75 per month | $400 per month |
| Gamification ShiftOne | $30 per month | $60 per month |
| To Go Accuracy Printer | $550 | $650 |
| Campaign/Menu Training | $30 per year | $30 per year |
| Extra Manuals | $0 | $250 per set |
| Operating Expenses During First Three Months | $405,000 | $450,000 |
| POS MDM Fee | $50 per month | $60 per month |
The initial franchise fee for an Apple Spice Box Lunch Delivery & Catering franchise is $35,000. Startup costs include the setup of a commercial kitchen, delivery vehicles, and initial inventory. A suitable commercial location for food preparation and catering operations is essential. The total investment ranges from $290,000 to $580,000, covering everything necessary to become fully operational, including working capital. Ongoing fees consist of a 4% royalty on gross sales and a 4.25% contribution to the advertising fund, which will decrease to 3.25% in 2026. During our consultation, we will provide a detailed breakdown of your liquid capital requirements and discuss financing options tailored to your needs. For more information, visit our [franchise assessment page](/assessment).
Beyond your initial investment, you'll pay a 6% royalty on gross sales plus a Currently, 4.25% of total Gross Sales. This percentage can be increased or decreased by us at any time. Commencing January 1, 2026, the contribution will be 3.25% of total Gross Sales, subject to future increases. The total of national and local advertising fees cannot exceed 5% of Gross Sales. marketing contribution. The true monthly cost of ownership includes additional fees most buyers don't account for until they're already in.
→ We break down your realistic monthly overhead during your consultation.
What Do Apple Spice Box Lunch Delivery & Catering Franchise Owners Make?
Apple Spice Box Lunch Delivery & Catering includes an Item 19 Financial Performance Representation in their Franchise Disclosure Document — which means they voluntarily share revenue and earnings data from their franchise system.
Not every franchise provides this level of transparency. The fact that Apple Spice Box Lunch Delivery & Catering does tells you something about their confidence in franchisee performance.
But raw numbers don't tell the full story. What matters is how those numbers apply to your market, your investment level, and your operating model.
Want the Full Financial Picture?
We've analyzed Apple Spice Box Lunch Delivery & Catering's FDD and can walk you through what the numbers actually mean for someone with your background and budget.
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Why Veterans Succeed with Apple Spice Box Lunch Delivery & Catering
Operating an Apple Spice franchise requires the operational excellence that veterans naturally possess. Your morning preparations must align seamlessly with delivery schedules, while your catering team manages multiple events. This franchise allows you to serve your community in a new capacity, enhancing local businesses' meetings and making special events unforgettable. The mission is clear: deliver quality food, on time, every time. Success hinges on effective systems and people management. You will oversee kitchen staff, drivers, and catering crews while fostering relationships with business clients who rely on your services. Setting high standards and ensuring your team meets them is essential for success.
Military Fit Analysis
Military Fit Score
Best Suited For
Veterans with experience in managing teams, coordinating logistics, or overseeing large-scale food service operations will find a strong fit with the Apple Spice Box Lunch Delivery & Catering franchise. Skills in schedule management, inventory control, and customer relationship building are vital. The key to success lies in balancing operational efficiency with relationship management.
Is Apple Spice Box Lunch Delivery & Catering the Right Franchise for Your Background?
Every veteran's transition is different. Your MOS, leadership experience, and financial goals all factor into which franchise makes sense. We've helped veterans across every branch find franchise businesses that match their strengths — not just their budget.
Find Your Franchise FitTalk to a veteran franchise consultant who's been where you are.
Apple Spice Box Lunch Delivery & Catering Training & Support
Apple Spice Box Lunch Delivery & Catering offers comprehensive training and ongoing support to franchisees. This includes initial training programs, marketing assistance, and operational guidance to ensure your success in the food service industry.
Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Spice Box Lunch Delivery & Catering
How much does a Apple Spice Box Lunch Delivery & Catering franchise cost?
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Does Apple Spice Box Lunch Delivery & Catering offer a veteran or military discount?
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Is Apple Spice Box Lunch Delivery & Catering a home-based franchise?
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Can you run a Apple Spice Box Lunch Delivery & Catering franchise semi-absentee?
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What do Apple Spice Box Lunch Delivery & Catering franchise owners make?
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Is Apple Spice Box Lunch Delivery & Catering a good franchise for veterans?
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What is Apple Spice Box Lunch Delivery & Catering's FDD and where can I read it?
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Your Next Chapter Starts with a Conversation
You've done the research. You've looked at the numbers. Now the question is whether Apple Spice Box Lunch Delivery & Catering — or one of 500+ franchises in our network — is the right fit for where you're headed.
In 30 minutes, we'll cover:
- Whether this franchise matches your skills & goals
- What the FDD reveals that most buyers miss
- Your true cost after veteran discounts & financing
- 2-3 alternative franchises worth comparing
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