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.