Looking to extend its current new-store growth well into the New Year, Wienerschnitzel has launched a limited franchise incentive program in 2019 that will reward 20 investors with significantly reduced franchise and royalty fees during the first three years of business.
The first-ever program, announced Tuesday, allows 20 franchisees to pay a heavily discounted, one-time franchise fee of just $5,000—84 percent off the normal fee of $32,000—and a record-low 1 percent royalty fee for the first three years in business. To qualify for the reduced royalties, investors need to start construction of their new Wienerschnitzel restaurant within 18 months of signing their agreement and meet other obligations.
While the offering targets new investors, especially existing restaurant franchisees wanting to diversify their hamburger, Mexican, chicken, sandwich and pizza portfolios with a proven and unique concept, it is also being extended to Wienerschnitzel’s existing franchise owners.
Founded in 1961 in Wilmington, California, south of downtown Los Angeles, Wienerschnitzel serves its signature Hot Dogs, Chili Cheese Dogs, Chili Cheese Fries and Tastee-Freez frozen desserts at 325 franchised restaurants in 11 states.
“2018 was an extremely positive year for Wienerschnitzel in same store sales increase and new store openings for the 57-year-old, Irvine, Calif.-based brand,” said Ted Milburn, Wienerschnitzel’s director of franchise development. “However, as good as the year was, 2019 already has 20 new stores on the development calendar and that number is growing. New-franchise interest has spiked due to a refined business model and a unique concept that is repeatedly described as, ‘nothing else like it.’ Wienerschnitzel offers a craveable menu that differs from other QSR options with quality food at some of the lowest cost-of-goods in the industry.”
“We’re using this franchisee incentive program – limited to the first 20 investors who inquire and qualify – to jump-start the New Year. This is not a limited-time offer. When these 20 licenses are sold, this incentive program will end.”
According to Milburn, the focus of the program is the growth potential of Wienerschnitzel’s end-cap with drive-thru restaurant design, a popular configuration that typically costs 50-percent less to develop than a traditional, free-standing building.
Opportunities to own a Wienerschnitzel franchise are available in many U.S. regions, especially in the western U.S., Midwest and Southern states. Single, three-unit, and larger Area Representative licenses granting exclusivity for entire markets are driving Wienerschnitzel’s growth.
