Fast Casual & QSR Insurance: What Does Your Operation Need?

A single-location fast casual restaurant typically pays $4,000–$12,000 per year for a standard program. Multi-unit operators can range from $15,000–$50,000+ depending on location count, revenue, delivery operations, and franchise requirements.

Adding delivery with your own vehicles significantly increases costs due to commercial auto premiums. Third-party delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats) has lower insurance cost to you but still creates some liability exposure worth addressing. For full-service restaurant operations, see our restaurant insurance page.

If you only use third-party delivery platforms and never send your own employees to deliver, you don't need commercial auto for delivery vehicles. However, you should still carry hired and non-owned auto (HNOA) coverage.

HNOA covers your liability if an employee uses their personal vehicle for any business purpose — picking up supplies, making a bank deposit, or running errands. It's inexpensive and closes a real gap. For food truck operations with their own vehicles, see our food truck insurance page.

Franchise agreements typically require specific GL limits (often $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate), the franchisor named as additional insured, workers' comp at statutory limits, and sometimes umbrella coverage of $1M–$5M+.

Each franchisor has different requirements. We review your franchise agreement before quoting so your program meets every specification — avoiding the back-and-forth of rejected certificates that delays your opening or renewal.

Ghost kitchen insurance covers delivery-only food operations that operate from shared or commissary kitchen spaces. The risk profile is different from a traditional restaurant — no walk-in customers means less GL exposure, but delivery operations and shared-space liability add different risks.

Key considerations include who owns the kitchen equipment, how liability is split with the facility operator, and whether your delivery drivers are employees or contractors.

Yes. Multi-location operators can consolidate all locations under one commercial program with a single policy number, consistent limits, and one renewal date. This is typically cheaper and easier to manage than separate policies per location.

Each location is listed on the policy with its own address and property values. You can add or remove locations during the policy term as you open or close sites.

For a very small, single-location operation with no delivery and no alcohol, a BOP can work as a starting point. Most fast casual restaurants outgrow a BOP quickly.

A BOP doesn't include commercial auto, adequate business interruption for high-revenue locations, or the higher GL limits that franchise agreements and landlords typically require. Once you add delivery or a second location, you need a custom commercial program. If your concept includes a bar or serves significant alcohol, see our bars and nightclubs insurance page for the additional liquor liability requirements.