Wendy's Franchise: Cost, Fees & Earnings
5,969 locations (2025), +0.6% YoY(Item 20)
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Median Revenue (AUV)
$1,866,652
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 19
Initial Investment
$409,691 – $3,105,000
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7
Franchise Fee
$50,000
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 5
Royalty
4-6%
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 6
About Wendy's
Wendy's is a quick-service restaurant franchise specializing in made-to-order hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, french fries, Frosty desserts, and other menu items. The franchise operates both traditional freestanding locations with drive-through service and non-traditional formats in airports, malls, and other venues.
Gross Sales by Performance TierSource: 2026 FDD Item 19
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Explore all brands →AUV Trend — Multi-Year Median Revenue
Additional Item 19 Analysis
Deeper Item 19 Analysis (Charts 3–6)
Openings & Closings, Transfer Rates, Franchise vs Corporate Mix
Wendy's vs Competitors
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Wendy's Franchise FAQ
How much does a Wendy's franchise cost?
Per Item 7 of the 2026 FDD Franchise Disclosure Document, the estimated initial investment ranges from $409,691 to $3,105,000.
What is the Wendy's franchise fee?
The FDD reports an initial franchise fee of $50,000.
What royalty does Wendy's charge?
The FDD reports an ongoing royalty of 4-6%.
How much revenue does a Wendy's franchise generate?
The 2026 FDD reports a median revenue per unit of $1,866,652 for fiscal year 2025. Individual results vary.
Can I finance a Wendy's franchise with an SBA loan?
Many franchise purchases are financed with SBA 7(a) loans covering a large share of the total project cost. You can check what you'd qualify for with Franchable's free SBA prequalification.
Data sourced from the brand's Franchise Disclosure Document. Franchable is not affiliated with or endorsed by Wendy's. This is not an offer to sell a franchise. Individual results vary.