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How Much Does It Cost to Open Waffle House Franchise?

Waffle House Franchise

Do you want to start a restaurant business by buying Waffle House franchise? If YES, here is how much it cost to open a Waffle House franchise.

Waffle House, as the name implies, is a restaurant that sells waffles and other breakfast offerings. Headquartered in Georgia, Atlanta, the company started its business in the year 1955 offering unbeatable mixtures of good food coupled with extra-ordinary services to the teeming public.

Does Waffle House Offer Franchise?

With their loft qualities, you may be tempted to inquire on how you can own a Waffle House franchise. Yes, they used to, but what Waffle House does at the moment is to put into plans an expansion strategy for previously existing and successful franchisees.

What this implies is that you can only get an additional franchise with Waffle House if you have an existing franchise with them, and your success in the business will be seriously considered before you are given the license to expand.

The reason for this according to Thornton is that the Waffle House business is dedicated to be more consistent at all their locations across the country. For now, Waffle House is on only for existing franchises not for new ones. So you cannot get a Waffle house franchise for now.

Cost to Open a Waffle House Franchise

  • Franchise fee

The Waffle House Franchise fee goes between $200,000 to $300,000, excluding other Capital cost you will incur, which will also depend on the location you are choosing as well the value of Real estate in that location.

  • Overall cost

The overall cost you should be looking at if you want to start up a new Waffle House franchise will be in the tune of $600,000 to $1,000,000.

Steps on How to Get a Waffle House Franchise

It has to be understood that Waffle House is quite stringent with it franchise disclosures because they are not being given out to the public, for now. But that notwithstanding, there are indeed existent procedures for opening a Waffle House franchise.

  • Location

Waffle House is quite particular about the location of its businesses. The company would not allow you to open a Waffle House beside any other company restaurant. So, you have to submit your intended location so they can examine it.

You also have to know that the eventual cost of opening a Waffle House franchise will depend on your location. Highly populated or dense areas might have much cost implication, especially in the buying or leasing or real estate in that area.

  • Capital

You equally need to consider your capital at hand. Waffle House is a large conglomerate with good pedigree. You have to understand that you would have to part with a good amount of money if you want to franchise with them. So, you need to make provisions for this in advance.

Starting a Franchise business with Waffle House will not come that easy. The Company has very strict conditions they give to their prospective franchisee.

This although deter most prospects from dealing with them, but they just want to maintain their standard in the restaurant chain business and so you need to be very thorough before you approach the company. But know that you will get No as an answer if you contact them for a franchise now, if you are not part of the company, that is.

What You Must Know About Waffle House Franchise

The restaurant was founded by the duo of Joe Rogers, Sr. and Tom Forkner. Before the restaurant was birthed, Joe Rogers and Tom Forkner were neighbors–Joe working for a national restaurant chain, the Toddle House, and Tom in the local real estate business.

Since employee ownership was not available with the Toddle House, the idea of starting a business they could own and share some ownership with each other seemed like a good idea. Joe and Tom wanted to create a restaurant focused on people, while serving quality food at a great value.

On Labor Day 1955, their dream became a reality when the first Waffle House restaurant opened its doors for business in Avondale Estates, an Atlanta suburb.

After the first unit opened, there were no plans for another Unit, but the restaurant established the Waffle House tradition of providing the friendliest service in town. Customer loyalty developed and the business grew steadily. A couple of years later (1957) Unit 2 was acquired and by 1961, there were four small restaurants.

Aside from Waffles, Waffle House also serves breakfast, sandwiches, steaks and a whole lot more. One basic reason why it is very popular is because most of its outlets were open 27/7. In addition, each restaurant is open 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, inspiring urban myths such as “Waffle House doors have no locks.”

Headquartered in Norcross, GA, Waffle House® operates more than 1,500 restaurants company with some of them being franchisee owned. Waffle House holds the title as the world’s leading server of waffles, omelets, T-bone steaks and more.

The combination of great food, fast service and friendly experience makes Waffle House restaurants truly a unique phenomenon in the restaurant industry.