The 10 Best Waffle Franchises in the US Today

Whether it’s brunch or any time of the day, waffles are great meal options. Franchising is a lucrative business, and a waffle franchise is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an established supply chain. Here are the ten best waffle franchises in the US today:

1. Wafels & Dinges

With its humble beginnings in the streets of NYC, Wafels & Dinges is an excellent waffle franchise option, thanks to its popularity. It was named one of the 10 Best Waffles in America by the Daily Meal. Its savory offerings should be on your must-try list: 2nd Street Salmon Special, Wake Up, Grumpy, and its sweet toppings (spekuloos, strawberries, maple.)

You’ll need to prepare a total initial investment cost starting at $250,000 per store. In addition, it requires a 20% final investment in initial capital.

2. Press Waffle Co.

If you want to sell fully-customizable Belgian waffles, Press Waffle Co. is the one you should consider. Aside from its authentic waffles, they also serve a wide array of savory waffle creations and locally brewed coffee. After being featured in Shark Tank, their popularity rose, and they are now looking for more franchisees.

To get your own Press Waffle Co. store, you need to pay an initial investment cost of around $188,800 to $425,000 for a single location. You’ll also pay an initial franchise fee of $35,000, among others.

3. Chick-In Waffle

People keep coming back to Chick-In Waffle’s fantastic food and cozy vibes, making them a great business option. Its hot, off-the-iron waffles, eight signature sauces, and fresh, hand-battered chicken are the reason customers are lining up. 

If you want to open your own Chick-In Waffle store, get ready to pay an initial franchise cost of $25,000. The estimated initial investment cost will be around $198,150 to $320,800. The cash requirement is $25,000, while they will be getting a 5% royalty fee based on revenues.

4. Waffle Brothers

Aside from its great waffle offerings, Waffle Brothers have been delighting its customers with its delicious breakfast items. Established in 2010, it is now looking to expand by finding franchisees to help them spread the deliciousness around. If you have excellent management, leadership, or consulting skills, this is the waffle franchise for you.

This waffle company requires an initial franchise fee of $40,000 and an initial investment cost of $161,000 to $288,750. There will be a 5% royalty fee, among other expenses.

5. Waffle Cabin

Founded in May 1998, Waffle Cabin provides its franchisees with comprehensive training and all the support they need to keep the business going. Its customers are going crazy over the Liege Waffle that uses imported Belgian sugar in the dough. 

Waffle Cabin will require you to have a minimum of $125,000 liquid capital. An initial franchise fee of $23,500 and an estimated initial investment cost of $88,200 to $226,100 is what you need to prepare should you want your own Waffle Cabin franchise.

6. The Waffle Experience

Taking pride in serving food items that use locally sourced natural and organic ingredients, The Waffle Experience is a great franchise option for those looking for something different. This waffle shop uses minimally processed foods using chef-driven casual concepts that are indeed an experience.

It aims to find franchisees by offering low investment costs. The initial investment costs range from $316,750 up to $599,000. This already includes the initial franchise fee of $37,500. You will need to have liquid cash amounting to $150,000.

7. Bruges Waffles & Frites

Nothing can be more authentic than a Belgian waffle restaurant founded by Belgians. Bruges Waffles & Frites founders Pierre Vandamme and Philippe Wyffels started selling their old-family recipe for their Liège waffles in 2004, and the rest, as they say, is history.

To start selling these Belgian waffles and more, you need to pay an initial investment cost that ranges from $200,000 to $500,000. You need to have liquid capital of $100,000 and a net worth of $300,000.

8. Waffle House

One of the more popular waffle franchises is Waffle House. It is also the most expensive, as its initial franchise fee costs anywhere from $200,000 to $300,000. With 65 years of experience, a great market reputation, and over 2,000 locations across 25 states, this is an excellent waffle franchise option.

To open your Waffle House franchise restaurant, you need an initial investment of $600,000 to $1,000,000. With a revenue of around $1.3 billion, it is a waffle franchise worth every cent.

9. Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles

The first nationally franchised soul food concept, Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles, offers a unique business opportunity. Its soul-food menu includes Larry “Lo-Lo” White’s famous, award-winning fried chicken and waffles. It also provides many other food items from recipes handed down from generations.

This waffle restaurant has an initial franchise fee of $45,000. You will need to invest an estimated $651,000 to $830,900 and a working capital of $30,000 to $60,000. You will also have to shell out a 6% royalty fee.

10. The Dolly Llama Waffle Master

Not only is The Dolly Llama a master in waffles, but it is also an expert in many other delectable desserts. Their mascot, “Dolly,” is fast becoming an icon in the LA dining scene. The company is now spreading its wings and looking for franchisees to further its expansion.

To own a piece of The Dolly Llama, you need to pay an initial franchise fee of $30,000. You will also need an initial investment starting at $142,000, among other fees and costs.

Final Thoughts

As you can see from this list of the top ten best waffle franchise opportunities, you can find the most expensive and a few affordables in it. You must weigh in your choices depending on your finances. It is highly recommended to check out each franchisors’ websites to confirm these investment costs. And for other franchise opportunities, read more here at Franchise HOW!