Waffle Cabin franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Waffle Cabin franchise fee is $23,500 and the total initial investment ranges from $93,450 to $225,700, with about $25,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Waffle Cabin FDD.
What are the Waffle Cabin franchise fees and investment?
The Waffle Cabin franchise requires a franchise fee of $23,500 and a total initial investment of $93,450 to $225,700. 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) | $23,500 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $93,450 to $225,700 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $25,000 |
| US locations | 57 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Desserts) |
| Headquarters | South Chittenden, Vermont |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Franchising since | 2012 |
How does the Waffle Cabin investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Waffle Cabin's minimum investment of $93,450 is at or below the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 1088 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $23,500 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
What should you verify in the Waffle Cabin FDD?
Verify six parts of the Waffle Cabin 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 Waffle Cabin 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 Waffle Cabin?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Waffle Cabin:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Cookie Dough Bliss | $3,000 | $93,750 to $197,500 |
| Streetchurros | $25,000 | $93,000 to $352,000 |
| Maui Tacos | $75,000 to $150,000 | $94,000 to $208,000 |
| Sigri Indian BBQ | $35,000 | $92,900 to $157,300 |
| Milkshake Factory | $60,000 | $94,250 to $167,550 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Waffle Cabin franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Waffle Cabin franchise ranges from $93,450 to $225,700, including a franchise fee of $23,500, 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 Waffle Cabin franchise?
Waffle Cabin lists a minimum of about $25,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Waffle Cabin locations are there?
Waffle Cabin reported 57 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 Waffle Cabin been franchising?
Waffle Cabin started offering franchises in 2012 after the company was founded in 2012.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Waffle Cabin and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Waffle Cabin. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.