How much does a Wayback Burgers franchise cost?
The 2026 Wayback Burgers Franchise Disclosure Document gives three separate U.S. cost structures. One traditional Wayback Burgers restaurant has an Estimated Initial Investment of $256,000 to $859,000. A restaurant operated under a Walmart Sublease has a separate range of $265,500 to $856,000. A three-restaurant Development Agreement, including the Development Fee and the first traditional restaurant, is estimated at $296,000 to $899,000.
Traditional restaurant, 2026 FDD. This Item 7 total includes the $35,000 Initial Franchise Fee, premises and equipment costs, opening inventory, pre-opening expenses, and $20,000 to $60,000 of Additional Funds and Miscellaneous for approximately the first three months of operation.
Source: 2026 Wayback Burgers FDD, Item 7, pp. 10–12.
Data basis. Legal franchisor: Wayback Franchising LLC. FDD issuance date: February 12, 2026. Formats analyzed: traditional restaurant, Walmart Sublease restaurant, and a Development Agreement for at least three traditional restaurants. Primary cost disclosures: Items 5, 6, and 7; related obligations checked in Items 8, 10, 11, and 17. Information checked July 19, 2026. The brand’s official U.S. franchise information remains active, and Wisconsin’s active franchise-registration list shows Wayback Franchising LLC through March 27, 2027. No matching 2026 FDD was located on an official franchise-controlled public page, so FDD references below are unlinked and identify the Item and page.
Capital snapshot
The official startup-cost page also describes a narrower $550,000 to $650,000 “typical” restaurant project, while reproducing the broader $256,000 to $859,000 Item 7 range. The narrower website figure is not a replacement for the 2026 FDD range and does not cover the Walmart Sublease or Development Agreement cost contracts.
Why are there three different investment ranges?
Wayback Franchising LLC uses different agreements and payment obligations for each development path. A standard unit follows the standard Franchise Agreement. A Walmart restaurant adds a Walmart Sublease, a $12,000 Security Deposit, and potentially a Subleased Premises Improvement Charge. A multi-unit agreement requires a multi-unit commitment of at least three standard units and collects the development fees in advance.
The FDD cover also identifies the portion paid to the franchisor or its affiliates: $40,000 for a standard unit, $62,000 to $202,000 for a Walmart restaurant, and $80,000 for a three-restaurant commitment and the first restaurant. The balance is generally paid to landlords, contractors, architects, suppliers, utilities, insurers, employees, and government authorities.
the Walmart arrangement cost contract
The Walmart range includes a $12,000 Security Deposit, due within 10 days after signing the Walmart arrangement. For a newly constructed Walmart store, the premises charge can be $10,000 to $150,000. That charge is included inside the Walmart Leasehold Improvements range of $75,000 to $350,000, so it should not be added again. The 2026 FDD also states that $62,000 to $202,000 of the Walmart total is payable to the franchisor or its affiliates, including the Security Deposit and premises improvement charges.
the multi-unit agreement cost contract
A three-restaurant commitment requires a $75,000 Development Fee when the multi-unit agreement and first Franchise Agreement are signed. It consists of $35,000 for the first restaurant and $20,000 for each of the second and third restaurants. Those amounts are credited against the corresponding the signing fees; they are not separate duplicate franchise fees. With the $5,000 Grand Opening Advertising payment for the first restaurant, the FDD cover reports $80,000 payable to the franchisor or affiliates. A commitment above three restaurants increases the multi-unit signing amount.
The Walmart range is not simply the traditional range plus $12,000. Its Initial Rent Outlays are lower at $0 to $5,000, and its Leasehold Improvements range already incorporates the possible the premises improvement charge. Compare the agreements line by line rather than adding isolated fees across formats.
What is included in the standard unit total?
The $256,000 to $859,000 standard unit range includes 14 Item 7 categories. The largest disclosed sources of variation are Leasehold Improvements and Equipment. Real-property purchase costs, impact or major facility fees, lease-negotiation professional costs, owner salary, financing costs, and debt service are not included in the relevant estimates.
Premises, equipment, and build-out costs
| the investment disclosure category | Estimated amount | When paid | Important scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| build-out | $75,000–$350,000 | As requested by contractors | Assumes basic plumbing, electricity, and HVAC exist; excludes real-property purchase. |
| the initial occupancy payment | $2,500–$20,000 | At lease signing | Estimate includes one month’s rent, a one-month security deposit, and one month’s prorated CAM, taxes, and insurance. |
| Equipment | $85,000–$264,000 | Before opening | Includes restaurant equipment, point-of-sale system, laptop, office equipment, music system, and surveillance system. |
| Outside Fixtures and Furnishings | $5,000–$10,000 | Before opening | Applies when the restaurant has an outside eating area. |
| Signage | $7,000–$35,000 | Before opening | Paid to suppliers. |
| Permits and Licenses, including design fees | $6,000–$12,000 | Before opening | Includes architectural fees, building permits, certificates of occupancy, and health certificates; excludes those facility charges. |
Source for table: 2026 FDD, Item 7, pp. 10–12.
Opening inventory, training travel, deposits, and working capital
| the investment disclosure category | Estimated amount | When paid | Important scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| the signing fee | $35,000 | On signing the Franchise Agreement | Paid to the franchisor; state-required deferral may apply. Item 5 permits discretionary lower fees for certain multi-unit commitments or additional restaurants awarded to high-performing existing franchisees, but no reduction is guaranteed. |
| Initial Inventory | $9,000–$13,000 | Before opening | Includes prescribed food and paper products; quantity depends on anticipated demand. |
| Supplies | $5,000–$35,000 | Before opening | Includes uniforms and cooking, cleaning, and serving smallwares. |
| Travel and Living Expenses During Training | $1,000–$10,000 | Before opening | Initial training is free for up to two people, but travel and living costs remain the franchisee’s responsibility. |
| Utility Deposits | $0–$5,000 | Before opening | Paid to utility providers. |
| Prepaid Insurance Premiums | $500–$5,000 | Before opening | Item 8 specifies required coverage types and limits. |
| Grand Opening Advertising | $5,000 | On registration for initial training; spent before opening | Paid to the franchisor and used to reimburse up to $5,000 of approved grand-opening advertising expenditures. |
| the opening reserve | $20,000–$60,000 | As incurred over approximately the first 3 months | Includes employee recruitment, training and wages, utilities, legal and accounting fees, and general administrative costs. |
Source for table: 2026 FDD, Item 7, pp. 10–12.
The three-month operating reserve estimate is already inside the official total. It is calculated for approximately the first three months of operation, less income earned, and excludes owner salary, finance costs, debt service, and reimbursements or other payments to the owner. The real-property purchase price, lease-negotiation legal or professional costs, and those local facility charges are also unresolved by the traditional the investment disclosure range.
Item 8 estimates that purchases from the franchisor, affiliates, or designated or approved suppliers represent 90% to 95% of initial purchases and 90% to 95% of annual operating expenses. Most of those purchases are expected to be from specified or approved third parties. This does not change the investment disclosure total, but it limits how freely a franchisee can substitute vendors when comparing quotations.
When does a franchisee pay the money?
The cash requirement is staged across agreement signing, site control, construction, pre-opening purchases, and the first three months of operation. The exact sequence changes for the Walmart arrangement or the multi-unit agreement, and some state addenda may defer initial payments until the franchisor completes specified pre-opening obligations. The signing fee, the multi-unit signing amount, the premises improvement charge, and the opening-advertising payment are nonrefundable. The Walmart deposit is refundable only as provided in the Sublease after faithful performance of its conditions.
Agreement signing
A single-unit buyer pays the $35,000 signing fee when signing the unit agreement. A three-restaurant developer instead pays the $75,000 multi-unit signing amount when signing the multi-unit agreement and first the unit agreement; the fee is credited to the three signing fees.
Sublease and site control
A Walmart franchisee pays the $12,000 deposit no later than 10 days after signing the Walmart arrangement. The possible $10,000 to $150,000 premises improvement charge may be due when the Sublease is signed. A traditional unit’s initial occupancy outlay are due when the lease is signed.
Construction and contractor requests
build-out are paid as arranged and as requested by contractors, architects, suppliers, or the franchisor. The FDD’s typical period from signing or first payment to opening is approximately 8 to 24 months, depending on training, site acquisition, approvals, and pre-opening preparation. The unit agreement requires the buyer to acquire or lease a location within 270 days after signing and open within 270 days after site approval.
Before opening
Equipment, outdoor fixtures, Signage, Initial Inventory, Supplies, training travel, Utility Deposits, Prepaid Insurance Premiums, and Permits and Licenses are paid before opening. The $5,000 the opening-advertising payment payment is due when the buyer registers for initial training.
Opening and first three months
The Royalty begins when the restaurant opens to the public. Royalty, Local Marketing and Advertising, and Advertising Fund payments are collected weekly. the three-month operating reserve are spent as incurred over approximately the first three months of operation.
Sources: 2026 FDD, Items 5 and 7, pp. 5–16; Item 11, p. 22. The official franchise process separately describes financial verification and agreement-signing stages.
Which fees continue after the restaurant opens?
The core ongoing charges are a weekly Royalty, two separate marketing obligations, technology maintenance and upgrades, and periodic refurbishment. restaurants under the Walmart arrangement also pay rent and occupancy reimbursements to the franchisor under the Sublease.
| Ongoing fee | Amount or basis | Timing | Applies to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royalty | Greater of 6% of weekly Gross Sales or $400 per week | Weekly, Thursday for the preceding week ending Sunday | All restaurants; begins on public opening |
| the local marketing charge | 2% of weekly Gross Sales | Same time and manner as the weekly charge | All restaurants |
| thesystem marketing account | 2% of the defined weekly sales base | Same time and manner as the weekly charge | All restaurants |
| annual technology maintenance | Approximately $2,400–$7,500 per year | As incurred | Paid to third parties |
| Refurbishment | Approximately $500–$10,000 per year | As incurred | System modifications and periodic restaurant updates |
| the Walmart arrangement Fees | Rent: 2%–12% of gross revenues per month; insurance: $0–$300 per month; CAM: $975–$2,000 per month | As requested | Only restaurants under the Walmart arrangement |
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 6, pp. 6–10. The defined sales base is broad under the unit agreement; the FDD excludes sales taxes paid to the taxing authority but does not permit the defined sales base to be reduced for couponing. The current official franchise FAQ also states the 6% continuing charge, but Item 6 controls the weekly minimum, payment timing, and defined fee basis.
The weekly charge is not simply 6% in every week because Item 6 requires the greater of 6% of the defined weekly sales base or $400. The two 2% marketing obligations are separate: one funds local marketing and the other goes to the system marketing account.
Which additional fees arise only after a trigger or contract event?
the ongoing-fee disclosure includes several charges that do not occur on a fixed weekly schedule but can become material after training, audits, late payment, transfers, renewal, supplier requests, insurance failures, or default. Amounts stated as actual cost or expenses are uncapped in the FDD unless a specific limit is shown.
Sources: 2026 FDD, Item 6, pp. 7–10; Item 17, pp. 36–39.
How much liquid capital and net worth does the brand require?
The current official U.S. franchise website states a $250,000 liquid-capital requirement, a $500,000 minimum net worth, and a credit score of 700. These are candidate qualification thresholds checked July 19, 2026; they are not the same as the 2026 FDD Estimated Initial Investment and do not show how much of a particular project must be paid without borrowing.
- $250,000 Liquid Capital
- Cash or assets that can be converted to cash relatively quickly. It is a screening threshold, not the full project cost.
- $500,000 Net Worth
- Total assets minus liabilities. Net Worth is not the same as cash available for construction or opening expenses.
- 700 Credit Score
- An official candidate criterion. It does not guarantee approval by the franchisor or by a third-party lender.
The official financial qualification FAQ states the three thresholds, and the official proof-of-funding process says the company verifies access to minimum liquidity. Separately, owners of an entity franchisee must personally guarantee the unit agreement, the multi-unit agreement, and any Walmart arrangement. Item 10 also requires a security interest in specified business assets and the franchise interest.
The 2026 FDD does not state the $250,000, $500,000, and 700 thresholds in Items 5–7. Because they are current website qualifications, confirm them in writing for the proposed ownership structure and format, particularly when using partners or a multi-unit agreement.
Does the brand finance the initial investment?
No. Item 10 states that the franchisor does not offer direct or indirect financing and does not guarantee a note, lease, or other obligation. The official franchise site says it can provide recommended third-party lender contacts and identifies a relationship with Boefly, but approval, collateral, pricing, and repayment terms remain lender decisions.
The brand’s official third-party funding discussion describes SBA-backed, conventional, and self-financing routes. For government program terms, the SBA 7(a) loan program explains eligible uses such as real estate improvements, working capital, equipment, furniture, fixtures, and supplies. The SBA Franchise Directory is a lender-eligibility tool, not an endorsement or assurance that a borrower will receive financing.
Source for franchisor financing terms: 2026 FDD, Item 10, p. 21.
What cost questions should a buyer resolve before signing?
The most important verification task is to reconcile the buyer’s actual site, format, financing structure, and development commitment to the correct 2026 FDD table. A quotation for one format should not be used to fill gaps in another format.
The Federal Trade Commission’s consumer guide to buying a franchise explains that a buyer must receive the FDD at least 14 calendar days before signing a binding agreement or paying the franchisor or an affiliate, and recommends reviewing all 23 Items and obtaining updated information before signing.
What is the most important cost distinction?
The official investment range depends on the agreement, while the cash qualification and ongoing fees answer different questions. A standard unit is estimated at $256,000 to $859,000; a restaurant under the Walmart arrangement at $265,500 to $856,000; and a three-restaurant commitment plus the first restaurant at $296,000 to $899,000. The $250,000 Liquid Capital and $500,000 Net Worth thresholds are candidate qualifications, not substitutes for those totals. After opening, the recurring base consists of the greater of 6% of the defined weekly sales base or $400 for the weekly charge, plus 2% for the local-marketing charge and 2% for the system marketing account, with technology, refurbishment, conditional fees, and the Walmart arrangement charges layered on when applicable.
The largest unresolved cost question is usually the selected premises: build-out costs range from $75,000 to $350,000, the traditional estimate assumes existing basic building systems, and several local or transaction-specific costs are expressly excluded. That site-specific gap should be resolved before treating any point inside the FDD range as a funded budget.