Wings Etc franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Wings Etc franchise fee is $25,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $1,618,650 to $2,881,100, with about $385,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Wings Etc FDD.
What are the Wings Etc franchise fees and investment?
The Wings Etc franchise requires a franchise fee of $25,000 and a total initial investment of $1,618,650 to $2,881,100. 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) | $25,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $1,618,650 to $2,881,100 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $385,000 |
| US locations | 80 |
| Industry | Food & Restaurant (Chicken) |
| Headquarters | Fort Wayne, Indiana |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Franchising since | 2005 |
How does the Wings Etc investment compare with other food & restaurant franchises?
Wings Etc's minimum investment of $1,618,650 is above the median minimum investment of $297,082 across the 1213 food & restaurant franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 42 of the other 1211 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $25,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Wings Etc belongs with franchises over $500,000.
What should you verify in the Wings Etc FDD?
Verify six parts of the Wings Etc 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 Wings Etc 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 Wings Etc?
These food & restaurant franchises have the closest minimum investment to Wings Etc:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Denny's | $30,000 | $1,618,374 to $3,056,874 |
| Melting Pot | $36,000 to $45,000 | $1,617,128 to $2,740,600 |
| Jinya Ramen Bar | $40,000 | $1,612,500 to $3,546,000 |
| California Pizza Kitchen | $50,000 | $1,587,000 to $5,375,000 |
| Green Mill | $45,000 | $1,671,700 to $2,493,000 |
See every brand in food & restaurant franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Wings Etc franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Wings Etc franchise ranges from $1,618,650 to $2,881,100, including a franchise fee of $25,000, 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 Wings Etc franchise?
Wings Etc lists a minimum of about $385,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Wings Etc locations are there?
Wings Etc reported 80 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 Wings Etc been franchising?
Wings Etc started offering franchises in 2005 after the company was founded in 2004.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Wings Etc and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Wings Etc. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.