Waters Edge Winery & Bistro
Food & Beverage · Full Service Restaurants
Description
What is Waters Edge Winery & Bistro?
What sets Waters Edge apart is their distinctive micro-winery concept, where franchisees can produce and bottle their own wines on-site while offering guests an immersive wine country experience without leaving their neighborhood. The business model includes wine production, tasting rooms, food service, and retail sales, creating multiple revenue streams for franchise owners.
Franchisees benefit from comprehensive training in wine-making techniques, restaurant operations, and customer service. The concept appeals to a broad demographic, from wine connoisseurs to casual diners seeking a memorable dining experience. Waters Edge locations typically feature elegant yet comfortable atmospheres perfect for date nights, special occasions, or casual gatherings.
The brand's success lies in its ability to combine the allure of a traditional winery with the convenience of an urban location, while offering high-quality cuisine that complements their wine selection. Franchise owners can tap into the growing wine industry while providing their communities with a sophisticated dining and entertainment venue that stands out in the restaurant landscape. With its proven business model and unique positioning in the market, Waters Edge Winery & Bistro represents an opportunity to bring an elevated wine and dining experience to discerning customers.
- 21% lower investment than restaurant sector average
- Eliminates grape growing risks through sourcing model
- Unique winery-bistro experience differentiates from competitors
- Established 20-year track record since 2004
- Greater territory availability with only 14 existing units
- Multiple revenue stream potential across food, wine, and experiences
Location Analysis
Where Waters Edge Winery & Bistro wins
The franchise's success in varied markets from the Southeast to the Mountain regions suggests adaptability to different demographic profiles and wine consumption patterns. The Fort Bend County, Texas location's strong performance particularly demonstrates the concept's ability to thrive in affluent suburban areas with strong dining scenes.
Ideal locations for Waters Edge typically include upscale suburban areas with higher disposable income, strong food and beverage culture, and limited direct competition in the winery-bistro segment. The current geographic distribution reveals significant expansion opportunities, particularly in wine-friendly markets across the West Coast and Northeast. Potential franchisees should focus on areas with median household incomes above $75,000, established retail corridors, and demographics that appreciate premium wine experiences.
The measured geographic presence suggests a strategic expansion approach, with room for significant growth in both existing and new markets, particularly in states with developed wine cultures and urban-suburban areas with strong dining scenes.
Loading map...
Is your territory available?
Let's find out.
We'll take you through a few quick questions, then Waters Edge Winery & Bistro confirms availability directly.
Financial Analysis
The numbers behind Waters Edge Winery & Bistro
The winery-bistro concept operates in the growing experiential dining segment, capitalizing on consumers' desire for unique entertainment experiences. The franchise's hybrid model—producing wine from sourced grapes rather than growing them—reduces operational complexity and agricultural risks typically associated with traditional wineries while maintaining authentic wine-making experiences.
With 14 units since 2004, the system demonstrates measured growth over two decades, suggesting careful expansion rather than aggressive scaling. This smaller footprint may indicate limited brand recognition but could offer greater territory availability for new franchisees in a subsector with 78 competing franchises. The reported gross revenue of $676,715 falls below the sub-sector average of $1.6M, though this may reflect the specialized nature of the winery concept versus traditional restaurants.
Ideal investors should possess hospitality or retail management experience with sufficient liquid capital to sustain operations during the typical restaurant ramp-up period. The concept suits markets with demographics appreciating wine culture and experiential dining, offering potential diversified revenue streams but requiring operational sophistication.
Financing partners
Vetted partners, tailored to franchisees
Your Franzy advisor can connect you with these partners later in the process — competitive rates, specialized in franchise financing.
FranFund
CRF USA
Nonprofit SBA lender; provides financing for franchise acquisitions, startups, and expansion.
First Bank of the Lake
Pension Pros
FDD Item 7
Initial investment range
Per FDD Item 7, total initial investment ranges from $829,957 to $1,337,923. The midpoint $1,083,940 is what most franchisees report at signing — financing typically reduces cash-at-close by 80–90%. Knowing the investment range helps you plan confidently and ensure you're fully prepared to make the leap.
FDD Item 19
Average gross sales
According to Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document, Waters Edge Winery & Bistro has an average gross revenue of $677K. (Note: This information is based on the latest FDD in our records. Please review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and confirm this information directly with the brand. We make no claims of accuracy for the information presented.)
Growth over time
Franchise footprint
2023 Franchise Disclosure
FDD documents
Below are items 2, 3, 4, 7, 11 and 19 for Waters Edge Winery & Bistro's 2023 FDD. The complete FDD is delivered to you directly by the franchisor, per the FTC Franchise Rule.
Connect to download Items 2, 3, 4, and 11 — direct from the franchisor.
Buyer FAQs
Frequently asked questions
The initial investment for a Waters Edge Winery & Bistro franchise typically ranges between $829,957.00 and $1,337,923.00. This includes the franchise fee, equipment, real estate, and other startup costs. To get a detailed breakdown and better understand the financial requirements, we recommend scheduling a call with the Franzy team. We'll walk you through the specifics and answer any questions you might have. For more detailed information, refer to the financial sections of the FDD.
Disclaimer. The information provided on this page is based on the latest Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) that is publicly available and that we have on record, which was issued in 2023. This information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal, financial, or business advice. We make no guarantees or claims regarding the completeness or accuracy. For the most current and detailed information, we recommend consulting the franchisor directly for the most recent FDD and regarding any questions that you may have about the information provided.
Franchises for you
Brands worth comparing
Other brands in the same vertical and investment band — recommendations based on what you've explored.
