An interested person can enter the Wendy’s system through the acquisition of one or more existing Wendy’s 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 Wendy’s Prospective Franchisee Questionnaire. 

Wendy’s is looking for prospective franchisees who have restaurant and/or hospitality experience (preferably quick service) with strong operational, administrative and financial resources. 

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’s System, specifically women and people of color, Wendy’s 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 here. 

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’s 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’s 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’s 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. 

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’s training program. Learn how to get started here.

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.

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’s of providing technical assistance in the development of each Wendy’s 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.

In order to use the Wendy’s name, trademarks, national image and logo, franchisees are required to pay a royalty fee of 4% - 6% of net sales per restaurant to Wendy’s.

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. 

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’s 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.

 The estimated total investment required to begin operation of a new restaurant varies. 

Yes, franchisees are required to purchase equipment, food products and some supplies and services from Wendy’s approved suppliers. They must purchase or lease products or services which conform to Wendy’s specifications.

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.

Wendy’s 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’s will evaluate each potential site as it relates to nearby existing restaurants to determine viability.

The franchisee selects the location for a new Wendy’s restaurant, however, site selection assistance is available from one of Wendy’s real estate representatives. Location and building plans must be approved by Wendy’s.

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’s International for company locations. However, Wendy’s may be willing to evaluate a piece of property that meets its general site requirements as part of the overall franchise application process.

Yes! Non-traditional development is an important component of Wendy’s overall growth strategy. We are very interested in candidates who have access to new non-traditional opportunities.

Wendy’s Design and Construction Department provides franchisees with standard construction documents designed to meet national building codes for construction of Wendy’s standard buildings. These plans are updated by the franchisee’s 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’s Franchise Development Program (“FDP”), Wendy’s franchisees have the option to contract with Wendy’s as an independent contractor for the performance of project management services for franchisees who build a new Wendy’s 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’s on each project, including travel expenses.