The Waffle Experience franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The The Waffle Experience franchise fee is $37,500 and the total initial investment ranges from $317,750 to $600,000, with about $80,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the The Waffle Experience FDD.
What are the The Waffle Experience franchise fees and investment?
The The Waffle Experience franchise requires a franchise fee of $37,500 and a total initial investment of $317,750 to $600,000. The franchise fee is one line inside the total investment, which also covers location, equipment, opening inventory and working capital.
| Franchise fee (FDD Item 5) | $37,500 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $317,750 to $600,000 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $80,000 |
| US locations | 3 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Full-Service) |
| Headquarters | Sacramento, California |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Franchising since | 2016 |
How does the The Waffle Experience investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
The Waffle Experience's minimum investment of $317,750 is above the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 567 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $37,500 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, The Waffle Experience belongs with franchises from $250,000 to $500,000.
What should you verify in the The Waffle Experience FDD?
Verify six parts of the The Waffle Experience Franchise Disclosure Document before you sign, because figures change with every annual FDD:
- Item 5 and Item 6: the current franchise fee, royalty, marketing fund and technology fees.
- Item 7: the full investment range by expense line, including working capital.
- Item 19: whether The Waffle Experience discloses financial performance data, and which units it covers.
- Item 20: openings, closures and transfers, plus contacts for current and former franchisees.
- Item 21: the franchisor's audited financial statements.
- Item 12: whether your territory is protected.
The full list of Items is in the FDD guide. You must receive the FDD at least 14 calendar days before you sign a binding agreement or pay any money.
Which franchises are similar to The Waffle Experience?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to The Waffle Experience:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Tifa Chocolate & Gelato | $47,500 | $318,200 to $509,400 |
| Pizza Karma | $24,000 to $30,000 | $317,250 to $582,000 |
| Hamburger Mary's | $50,000 | $317,150 to $955,500 |
| District Taco | $25,000 | $316,800 to $3,129,500 |
| The Simple Greek | $25,000 | $318,700 to $632,500 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a The Waffle Experience franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a The Waffle Experience franchise ranges from $317,750 to $600,000, including a franchise fee of $37,500, according to franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. The exact amount depends on location, build-out and working capital, as shown in Item 7 of the FDD.
How much cash do you need to open a The Waffle Experience franchise?
The Waffle Experience lists a minimum of about $80,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many The Waffle Experience locations are there?
The Waffle Experience reported 3 US locations in the data compiled in October 2026. Item 20 of the FDD shows openings, closures and transfers for the last three years.
How long has The Waffle Experience been franchising?
The Waffle Experience started offering franchises in 2016 after the company was founded in 2016.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. The Waffle Experience and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Waffle Experience. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.