Find the perfect franchise for you

Take our tailored quiz to unlock a customized list of franchise opportunities right in your area.

Navigate quickly

Wendy's

Wendy’s is the third biggest fast food restaurant chain in the world with close to 7,000 locations, although its sales put the brand at number two in the world. Wendy’s main draw is its “old fashioned” hamburgers, which are square in shape and made of fresh ground beef (unlike the frozen patties of Wendy’s main competitors). The restaurant’s most popular ad campaign “Where’s the Beef?” originated in the 1980s and has resurfaced in the past year to emphasize the quality and size of the meat. In addition to burgers, Wendy’s also offers up chicken sandwiches, French fries, salads, and desserts like the ice cream-based Frosty. More about the cost of owning a Wendy’s franchise is below.

Facts & figures
Liquid capital required
$500,000
Net worth required
$1,000,000
Investment
$1,893,850 - $3,689,350
Franchise fee
$55,000
Units in operation
6,541

77% of all Wendy’s locations are franchised. While Wendy’s determines the store’s outer appearance and menu, Wendy’s franchisees have the discretion to select the prices, restaurant hours, inside decoration, and the staff’s wages and uniforms.

Wendy’s Franchise Opportunities - History

In 1969, Dave Thomas founded Wendy’s in Columbus, Ohio, naming the restaurant after his daughter’s nickname. After three years, the company began franchising. The headquarters was recently moved to Dublin, Ohio.

What Does A Wendy’s Franchise Cost?

The potential investment in Wendy’s franchise has a significant gap. Assuming the franchisee leases the land and equipment, the initial investment can be as low as $845,500, whereas if he or she buys the land and equipment outright, the cost can run as high as $1,600,000. Wendy’s charges its franchisees a 4% royalty fee on all sales (or $1,000 if that is higher), plus an additional 4% to be allocated to local and national advertising efforts.

Wendy’s Franchise Business Opportunities: Other Information

Training for Wendy’s franchisees is quite extensive. Generally, the training spans about five or six months, which includes both classroom instruction and on-the-job experience. Though Wendy’s actively discourages absentee ownership of its franchises, it is not outright forbidden. Owners who do not want to take part in the daily operations must appoint an official “operator” to oversee the location.

Similar Franchises

Charleys Philly Steaks
Charleys Philly Steaks

Charleys Philly Steaks was founded in 1986 and has since become the world's largest Philly cheesesteak franchise. Charleys is a quick-service restaurant offering delicious, made-to-order Philly cheesesteaks, wings, loaded gourmet fries, and real-fruit lemonades. Preferred candidates are Owners/Operators but will accept Semi/Full Absentee Franchisees with a required operating partner.

$150,000

Liquid capital required

Crisp & Green
Crisp & Green

Crisp & Green is a wellness-driven restaurant franchise featuring a selection of healthy food options made in-house with premium ingredients. They also offer free community fitness and wellness events to promote a healthy lifestyle beyond the kitchen.

$1,000,000

Liquid capital required

Bang Cookies
Bang Cookies

Bang Cookies is a rapidly growing soft-baked cookie brand that uses all-natural, organic ingredients for a gourmet experience. They offer a scalable, easy-to-run business model, supported by marketing strategies, site selection assistance, and continuous operational training. They welcome semi-absentee/entrepreneural owners with experience operating multiple units in the food service industry.

$250,000

Liquid capital required

Check out our resources

Blog articles

Explore articles on franchise opportunities, industry trends, and success stories.

Industry reports

Explore reports on the latest trends in the franchising industry.

In the news

See what the media is saying about us and the franchise industry.

Disclosure documents

Find essential legal documents for evaluating franchises.

Franchise calculator

Use our tool to estimate the costs and benefits of franchises.

Is this your franchise?

Unlock your page now! Update your franchise details and connect with prospective franchisees.