There has never been a more exciting time to be a part of the Wendy鈥檚庐 family.
As we plan to build more traditional restaurants over the next several years, we're seeking new franchise owners to supercharge our efforts, transform markets and unlock new potential.
Ownership in the Wendy's System is a transformational financial opportunity that can impact generations. Want to grow with Wendy's for years to come? Learn more and own your opportunity today.
How do I begin the franchise application process?
An interested person can enter the Wendy鈥檚 system through the acquisition of one or more existing Wendy鈥檚 restaurants or by developing new restaurants. If someone is not already negotiating with an existing franchisee to purchase existing restaurants, he or she may express his or her interest by submitting the鈥
Do I need previous restaurant experience to become a franchisee?
Wendy鈥檚 is looking for prospective franchisees who have restaurant and/or hospitality experience (preferably quick service) with strong operational, administrative and financial resources.
Is Wendy鈥檚 interested in recruiting franchisees from underrepresented populations, like women or people of color?
We believe the brand truly thrives when our franchised System reflects the diversity of our customers and restaurant teams. To create pathways for everyone who wants to grow with the Wendy鈥檚 System, specifically women and people of color, Wendy鈥檚 created its Own Your Opportunity initiative. We have worked with our preferred U.S. financial lenders to offer access to expanded economic opportunities for new franchisees. Learn more about our programs鈥here.
What type of management team and training is required?
A franchisee must provide a comprehensive and detailed three to five year business plan which includes a skilled operator and management team that is devoted 100% to the development and operation of each restaurant. Training for the management team is accomplished through a four to six month training program conducted by Wendy鈥檚 training personnel. The training program consists of: in-restaurant training, classroom training and regional orientations. Once the proposed transaction has been completed or the new restaurant is open, Wendy鈥檚 provides on-going regional support and a variety of training resources to assist the franchisee. The in-restaurant training is conducted in one or more of Wendy鈥檚 approved training restaurants. The classroom training is normally conducted in one of our regional offices. We try to select locations convenient for the trainees but travel for required training should be anticipated in connection with your business plan.
How long does the entire process take to become a franchisee?
The time needed to become a franchisee varies depending primarily upon the type of opportunity available (purchase of existing restaurants or development of new restaurants) and the management experience of the prospective franchisee, which will require the completion of Wendy鈥檚 training program. Learn how to get started here.
What are the minimum financial requirements to become a franchisee?
The minimum financial requirements for new single and multi-unit franchisees or franchisee groups are:
- Minimum net worth of at least $1,000,000*
- Minimum liquid assets of at least $500,000
*In the U.S. and Canada. Net worth requirements vary in international markets.
What does the initial franchisee fee cover? Does it include start-up supplies and training?
The standard franchise fee in the U.S. and Canada is $50,000 for a franchise agreement with a term of 20 years. This fee is used to help defray some of the costs to Wendy鈥檚 of providing technical assistance in the development of each Wendy鈥檚 restaurant and in providing other assistance associated with the opening of the restaurant.
Prospective franchisees also pay an initial Application Fee of $5,000 to help defray some of the costs of the initial orientation and processing of the application, along with a $500 background investigation fee. These fees do not include any development or start up costs for the restaurant. There is no additional fee for training, but the franchisee may incur travel expenses or some minor fees for certain specific classes.
What is the royalty fee?
In order to use the Wendy鈥檚 name, trademarks, national image and logo, franchisees are required to pay a royalty fee of 4% - 6% of net sales per restaurant to Wendy鈥檚.
Who provides and pays for advertising and promotional items?
Franchisees are required to contribute a percentage of net sales per restaurant to cover a wide range of media advertising, including TV, digital and magazines. Franchisees are also required to contribute an additional percentage of net sales per restaurant toward local advertising through a local advertising co-op, if one exists for the area, or through their own local programs.
What does it cost to buy an existing restaurant from a franchisee?
The cost to acquire existing restaurants varies depending upon the number of restaurants and whether the real estate is purchased or under a lease. Wendy鈥檚 approval of the transaction is required and the restaurants must be remodeled by the buyer in accordance with Wendy's brand standards as a condition of the transfer of franchise rights.
What are the initial investments to develop a new Wendy's restaurant?
The estimated total investment required to begin operation of a new restaurant varies.
Is the franchisee required to purchase equipment and supplies from the franchisor or other designated suppliers?
Yes, franchisees are required to purchase equipment, food products and some supplies and services from Wendy鈥檚 approved suppliers. They must purchase or lease products or services which conform to Wendy鈥檚 specifications.
Are single and multi-unit opportunities available?
Yes, our focus is to recruit prospective franchisees who are interested in pursuing single or multi-unit opportunities through the development of new restaurants or by the acquisition of existing restaurants.
Will I be assigned an exclusive territory?
Wendy鈥檚 does not currently provide exclusive areas to franchisees and a franchisee does not have a right of first refusal to acquire potential new sites being developed in a specific area. Wendy鈥檚 will evaluate each potential site as it relates to nearby existing restaurants to determine viability.
Who selects the location for a new restaurant?
The franchisee selects the location for a new Wendy鈥檚 restaurant, however, site selection assistance is available from one of Wendy鈥檚 real estate representatives. Location and building plans must be approved by Wendy鈥檚.
What if I want to build and operate a Wendy's restaurant on property that I own?
Generally, our focus for new single-unit restaurant development is that such development occurs with our existing franchisees, a newly approved franchisee or by Wendy鈥檚 International for company locations. However, Wendy鈥檚 may be willing to evaluate a piece of property that meets its general site requirements as part of the overall franchise application process.
Is Wendy's interested in developing new restaurants in non-traditional locations such as airports, military bases, travel plazas and universities?
Yes! Non-traditional development is an important component of Wendy鈥檚 overall growth strategy. We are very interested in candidates who have access to new non-traditional opportunities.
What type of engineering support is available?
Wendy鈥檚 Design and Construction Department provides franchisees with standard construction documents designed to meet national building codes for construction of Wendy鈥檚 standard buildings. These plans are updated by the franchisee鈥檚 architect or engineer to meet local requirements. Design services are also available to franchisees who are developing non-standard units for locations within airports, travel centers, university student unions, shopping malls, etc. Under Wendy鈥檚 Franchise Development Program (鈥淔DP鈥), Wendy鈥檚 franchisees have the option to contract with Wendy鈥檚 as an independent contractor for the performance of project management services for franchisees who build a new Wendy鈥檚 Restaurant or remodel an existing Restaurant. The FDP Fee to remodel a Restaurant is $20,000. For new restaurant construction and scrapes and rebuilds, the FDP Fee is $35,000. In addition to the FDP Fee, the franchisee is responsible for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Wendy鈥檚 on each project, including travel expenses.