Wendy's Franchise: Cost, Fees & Earnings
5,969 locations (2025), +0.6% YoY(Item 20)
A Wendy's franchise requires an estimated total investment of $409,691 to $3,105,000, including a $50,000 initial franchise fee (2026 FDD, Item 7). Franchisees pay an ongoing royalty of 4-6% (Item 6). Its disclosed Item 19 unit P&L shows roughly a 16.1% EBITDA margin in FY2025 — company-operated unit figures, before the royalty and ad fees a franchisee pays; unaudited.
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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
Wendy's Franchise Key Facts
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Investment | $409,691 – $3,105,000Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7 | |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $50,000Source: 2026 FDD, Item 5 | |
| Royalty | 4-6%Source: 2026 FDD, Item 6 | |
| Median Revenue (AUV) | $1,866,652Source: 2026 FDD, Item 19 | |
| Total Locations | 5,969 (2025)Source: Item 20 |
Wendy's Franchise Fees
Initial franchise fee(Item 5)
$50,000
Ongoing royalty(Item 6)
4-6%
National ad / brand fund(Item 6)
4% exact
Buildout / construction(Item 7)
$1,033,292 – $2,200,000
Additional Item 5–6 fees (transfer, renewal, area development, and any veteran discounts) are not yet parsed on Franchable — see the brand's FDD for the full fee schedule.
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.
What Wendy's FDD Discloses
Wendy's disclosed Item 19 unit P&L shows an approximately 16.1% EBITDA margin in FY2025. Figures reflect company-operated units, before the royalty and 4% ad fees a franchisee pays, and are unaudited. Individual results vary.
The largest disclosed cost line in Wendy's disclosed unit P&L was Other Operating Expenses, at about 50.2% of revenue (disclosed Item 19, FY2025).
In 2025, Wendy's franchised system recorded 100 franchised openings, 71 closures (Item 20).
Gross Sales by Performance TierSource: 2026 FDD Item 19
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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.
How much does a Wendy's franchise owner make?
Per Wendy's disclosed Item 19 P&L, the disclosed unit economics show $364,193 in EBITDA in FY2025, before debt service, taxes, and owner compensation. Figures reflect company-operated units, before the royalty and 4% ad fees a franchisee pays, and are unaudited.
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.