Franopolis

    Wahlburgers

    Franchise research report · reviewed 2025 disclosure data

    Researching Wahlburgers franchise opportunities? Every figure below is cited to the FDD.

    Reviewed sources

    Wahlburgers is a restaurant franchise business seeking qualified operators to develop and run multiple restaurant locations. Franchisees are expected to be involved in restaurant operations, employ strong general managers, follow the Wahlburgers system, and provide welcoming customer service.

    Headline figures

    Wahlburgers quick facts

    How much does it cost to open a Wahlburgers franchise?
    The Wahlburgers Franchise Disclosure Document reports separate estimated initial investments by format: $1,083,000–$1,989,000 for fast-casual total — low end (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 24); $1,528,000–$2,799,000 for full-service total — low end (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 23). These formats are not combined. Each is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
    What ongoing fees does Wahlburgers charge?
    The disclosed ongoing royalty is 8% (2025 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 17). The brand or advertising fund contribution is 0.5% (2025 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 17). Other recurring fees are listed in Item 6. Details
    Does Wahlburgers disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
    No. The reviewed Wahlburgers FDD states that it does not make a financial performance representation in Item 19. Details
    Is Wahlburgers a good franchise to buy?
    Franopolis does not rate or recommend franchises. From the reviewed FDD: Item 19 makes no financial performance representation, so ask current owners about results; Item 20 lists outlet openings, closures and transfers; Item 6 includes a brand or advertising fund contribution on top of royalty; Item 20 also lists current and former franchisees you can contact. Review the full FDD with a franchise attorney and accountant before deciding.

    From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.

    What the disclosures show

    1. 1The 2025 FDD (Item 7) estimates opening costs separately by format: $1,083,000 – $1,989,000 (Fast-casual Total — low end); $1,528,000 – $2,799,000 (Full-service Total — low end); several initial fee options apply.
    2. 2The franchisor makes no financial performance representation in Item 19.

    From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.

    Costs · Items 5–7

    What does it cost to open?

    Estimated opening costs and the fees payable to the franchisor.

    Startup Investment — Item 7

    Range across 2 single-unit formats

    2025 FDD · Item 7

    Formats disclosed in Item 7 (2)

    Each format has its own total. The total depends on the format you choose.

    • Fast-casual Total — low endPDF p. 24$1,083,000 – $1,989,000
    • Full-service Total — low endPDF p. 23$1,528,000 – $2,799,000

    Ongoing Fees — Item 6

    Selected recurring charges; payment bases and conditions remain attached to each fee.

    Royalty rateMain ongoing fee

    22 reported fees, each with its payment basis, are listed below; they haven't been sorted into recurring, initial and occasional groups yet.

    Financial Performance — Item 19

    What results are disclosed—and for which locations?

    No financial performance representation in Item 19

    The reviewed 2025 FDD for Wahlburgers has no Item 19 figures on record. Franopolis does not estimate revenue or earnings in their place; ask the franchisor and current owners what unit-level information they can share.

    Outlet Changes — Item 20

    How has the outlet count changed?

    Coverage not stated in the reviewed record · counts as of year end of each year.

    2025 FDD · Item 20 ·

    Questions to investigate

    Prompts based on what this brand's reviewed disclosures do and don't show — not conclusions. Join free as a member to save questions to your research.

    For the franchisor

    • Which line items in the 2025 Item 7 estimate ($1,083,000 – $2,799,000) vary most by market, and why?

    • Which initial fee option would apply to my situation, and what conditions or discounts affect it?

    • Wahlburgers reports no financial performance figures in Item 19. What information can you share about unit-level results?

    • Is a territory available in my area, and how is it defined in my agreement?

    For current and former owners

    • How did your actual startup costs and timeline compare with the Item 7 estimate?

    • How many hours a week do you work in the business, and in what role?

    • What support from the franchisor has been most and least useful?

    For your advisors

    • Ask a franchise attorney to review the territory, renewal, transfer and termination terms.

    • Ask an accountant to build a cash-flow plan using your own assumptions, not the franchisor's.

    Sources & vintage history

    Every displayed fact is retained with its disclosure vintage, item, page, and reviewed status. Prior vintages remain on file rather than being overwritten.

    Territory & operations

    No territory or operating requirements have been reviewed yet.

    These are contract disclosures, not confirmation that any territory is currently available.

    Legal & agreement

    Franchisor financial statements

    Fiscal yearMeasureReported value
    2024total liabilities & members’ equity$1,052,497
    2024advances payable$481,520
    2024notes payable$55,000
    2024total revenues$240,064
    2024other revenue$543
    2024net cash from operating activities-$59,399
    2024amortization expense$50,000
    2024cash$114,034
    2024accounts receivable$88,463
    2024total current assets$202,497
    2024intangible assets, net$850,000
    2024total assets$1,052,497
    2024accounts payable$39,622
    2024total current liabilities$521,142
    2024total non-current liabilities$55,000
    2024total liabilities$576,142
    2024members’ equity$476,355
    2024royalty fees$199,519
    2024initial subfranchise fees$40,000
    2024interest income$2
    2024franchise commission fees$120,699
    2024total cost of revenue$120,699
    2024gross profit$119,365
    2024interest expense$543
    2024operating expenses$246,023
    2024total expense$296,566
    2024net loss-$177,201
    2024accounts receivable cash-flow change$30,035
    2024accounts payable cash-flow change$37,767
    2024notes payable to members-$45,000
    2024advances from members$51,895
    2024net cash from financing activities$6,895
    2024net change in cash-$52,504
    2023accounts receivable$118,497
    2023total assets$1,185,035
    2023total expense$143,997
    2023prepaid expenses cash-flow change$8,878
    2023accounts payable$60,481
    2023notes payable$100,000
    2023net loss-$40,795
    2023accounts payable cash-flow change$57,881
    2023cash$166,538
    2023total current assets$285,035
    2023intangible assets, net$900,000
    2023advances payable$370,998
    2023total current liabilities$431,479
    2023total non-current liabilities$100,000
    2023total liabilities$531,479
    2023members’ equity$653,556
    2023total liabilities & members’ equity$1,085,035
    2023royalty fees$74,949
    2023initial subfranchise fees$60,000
    2023total revenues$134,949
    2023franchise commission fees$31,747
    2023total cost of revenue$31,747
    2023gross profit$103,202
    2023amortization expense$50,000
    2023operating expenses$93,997
    2023members’ equity, beginning of year$694,351
    2023accounts receivable cash-flow changeMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing-$114,933
    2023net cash from operating activities-$38,969
    2023advances from members$85,765
    2023net cash from financing activities$85,765
    2023net change in cash$46,796
    2023total liabilities and members’ equity$1,185,035
    2023accounts receivable cash-flow changeMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing-$114,933
    2022prepaid insurance$8,878
    2022total expenses$228,044
    2022accounts receivable$3,564
    2022net loss-$178,689
    2022total current liabilities$387,833
    2022operating expenses$178,044
    2022accounts receivable cash-flow change-$3,564
    2022net cash from operating activities-$138,531
    2022cash$119,742
    2022total current assets$132,184
    2022intangible asset, net$950,000
    2022total assets$1,082,184
    2022accounts payable$2,600
    2022advances payable$285,233
    2022notes payable$100,000
    2022members’ equity$694,351
    2022total liabilities and members’ equity$1,082,184
    2022initial subfranchise fees$20,000
    2022royalty fees$57,383
    2022total revenues$77,383
    2022franchise commission fees$28,028
    2022gross profit$49,355
    2022amortization$50,000
    2022members’ equity, beginning of year$873,040
    2022prepaid expenses cash-flow change-$8,878
    2022accounts payable cash-flow change$2,600
    2022advances from member$158,273
    2022net change in cash$19,742
    2022cash, beginning of year$100,000

    These figures describe the franchisor company, not individual franchise locations.

    SBA-backed loans to franchisees

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    Source: U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) & 504 FOIA data. Loan volume is not a measure of franchisee success.

    Related research

    Brands in the same subcategory first, then the wider industry, ordered by shared business format and overlapping investment range. This is not a ranking or recommendation.

    Eggs Up GrillIIIHOP International House of PancakesThe Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc.Benihana National CorpIHOP and International House of PancakesMagnolia Bakery International

    Head-to-head comparisons

    Wahlburgers vs Eggs Up GrillWahlburgers vs IHOP International House of PancakesWahlburgers vs The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc.Wahlburgers vs Benihana National CorpWahlburgers vs IHOP and International House of PancakesWahlburgers vs Magnolia Bakery International
    Compare reviewed facts

    At a glance

    Business history

    Not reviewed

    Owner participation

    Not reviewed

    Territory language

    Not reviewed

    Litigation disclosure

    Not reviewed

    Bankruptcy disclosure

    Not reviewed

    Agreement term

    Not reviewed

    Independent analysis of franchisor-provided data. Not investment advice. Franopolis does not distribute FDDs.