Wayback Burgers

Wayback Burgers

Information based on 2024 FDD

Food & Beverage · Fast Casual

Investment min
$266K
Total: $266K–$847K
Avg gross revenue
N/A
Unit-level, 2024
Franchise fee
$35K
Per current disclosure
Royalty
5%
of gross revenue
Locations
164
Franchising since 2008

Description

What is Wayback Burgers?

Wayback Burgers has established itself as a beloved fast-casual restaurant chain that perfectly balances nostalgic charm with modern dining expectations. Founded in 1991, this burger-centric franchise has carved out a distinctive niche in the competitive fast-casual market by focusing on fresh, made-to-order burgers that consistently exceed customer expectations.

What sets Wayback Burgers apart is their unwavering commitment to quality and authenticity. Each burger is hand-crafted using 100% fresh, never-frozen beef, cooked to perfection, and served with a variety of fresh toppings. Their menu features an impressive array of creative burger combinations, from classic favorites to innovative specialty options, alongside crispy tater tots, hand-dipped milkshakes, and their famous hand-breaded chicken sandwiches.

The restaurant's atmosphere captures the essence of a classic American burger joint while maintaining modern cleanliness and efficiency standards. Their business model emphasizes exceptional customer service, with staff members known for their friendly, welcoming attitude and attention to detail. The franchise has garnered a loyal following thanks to its consistent food quality, generous portions, and reasonable pricing structure.

Wayback Burgers locations typically feature comfortable dining areas with a nostalgic ambiance, making them perfect for family dining, casual business lunches, or friendly gatherings. The brand has successfully positioned itself between fast food and premium burger establishments, offering superior quality without the premium price tag. Their innovative approach to classic American fare, combined with their strong operational systems and customer-first mentality, has helped them build a rapidly growing presence in the restaurant industry.
  • 30+ years proven operational history since 1991
  • Made-to-order quality burger positioning
  • Distinctive retro brand differentiation with 'Good Ol' Days' theme
  • Lower investment threshold than fast-casual sub-sector average
  • Global franchise presence with international expansion
  • Community fundraising program partnerships

Location Analysis

Where Wayback Burgers wins

Wayback Burgers maintains a strategic presence across multiple states, showing strong concentration in the Mid-Atlantic region. The franchise's core strength lies in the Northeast corridor, with notable presence throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, complemented by significant market penetration in New Jersey and Delaware. This regional clustering suggests successful market penetration and strong brand recognition in the Northeast corridor.

Customer satisfaction metrics reveal a solid performance rating across numerous customer reviews, indicating consistent operational performance. The sample location in Savannah, Georgia, demonstrates strong performance metrics, highlighting potential for success in Southeast markets.

The franchise's expansion pattern reveals a methodical approach to growth, with opportunities for development in both existing and new markets. Ideal locations typically feature high-traffic areas near commercial centers, universities, or suburban communities with median household incomes above $50,000. The Mid-Atlantic concentration suggests advantages in supply chain efficiency and brand awareness, while the widespread presence across additional states indicates adaptability to diverse markets.

Prospective franchisees should focus on densely populated areas with strong daytime traffic, particularly in underserved markets within the existing footprint. The fast-casual burger segment remains competitive, making site selection crucial for success. Primary trade areas should support a population of at least 25,000 within a 3-mile radius.
Total US locations
165
Franchise units
164
Corporate locations
1
Avg. sq. footage
N/A

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Financial Analysis

The numbers behind Wayback Burgers

Avg gross revenueN/A
Investment range$265,500 – $847,000
Investment midpoint$556,250
Brand fund2%
Royalty5%
Franchise fee$35,000
Min. net worth
Min. liquid capital
Wayback Burgers requires an initial investment of $265,500 to $847,000, positioning it competitively within the fast-casual burger segment. The investment range sits significantly below the sub-sector averages of $406,514 to $894,151, offering a more accessible entry point into the established burger franchise market. The brand's 30+ year operational history since 1991 demonstrates proven system stability and market resilience. With 165 active units, Wayback operates as a boutique-scale franchise compared to major burger chains, which may present both growth opportunities and brand recognition challenges. Revenue data is not currently available, limiting comprehensive financial performance analysis. The fast-casual burger segment benefits from consistent consumer demand, though faces intense competition from both independent operators and major franchises. Wayback's retro positioning and made-to-order approach targets quality-conscious consumers willing to pay premium prices over traditional quick-service options. The investment structure typically requires substantial liquid capital for equipment, buildout, and working capital, with most franchisees utilizing SBA financing or conventional lending. Ideal investors should possess restaurant industry experience and strong operational management capabilities, as the made-to-order model demands consistent execution and labor management. Multi-unit development opportunities may exist given the system's current scale, particularly in underserved markets seeking differentiated burger concepts.
Did you know? Starting your own Wayback Burgers franchise - known for their fresh, never-frozen beef patties and nostalgic burger joint atmosphere - requires a total investment between $265,500 and $847,000, which includes the $35,000 franchise fee plus all equipment, buildout, and working capital needed to bring this beloved "burger done right" concept to your community.

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

Lender

CRF USA

Nonprofit SBA lender; provides financing for franchise acquisitions, startups, and expansion.

Lender

First Bank of the Lake

Lender

Pension Pros

Lender

FDD Item 7

Initial investment range

$266K–$847K
Most common
$265,500
Minimum
$556,250
Midpoint
$847,000
Maximum

Per FDD Item 7, total initial investment ranges from $265,500 to $847,000. The midpoint $556,250 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.

Growth over time

Franchise footprint

+3% YoY
20016012080400
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
165 units open as of 2024 FDD+5 in last 12 mo

2024 Franchise Disclosure

FDD documents

Below are items 2, 3, 4, 7, 11 and 19 for Wayback Burgers's 2024 FDD. The complete FDD is delivered to you directly by the franchisor, per the FTC Franchise Rule.

Estimated initial investment
FDD Item 7 · PDF
Financial performance representations
FDD Item 19 · PDF
Members-only items
Executive team
FDD Item 2 · PDF
Litigation
FDD Item 3 · PDF
Bankruptcy
FDD Item 4 · PDF
Franchisor assistance
FDD Item 11 · PDF
Members only
Unlock the 2024 FDD

Connect to download Items 2, 3, 4, and 11 — direct from the franchisor.

Buyer FAQs

Frequently asked questions

The initial investment for a Wayback Burgers franchise typically ranges between $265,500.00 and $847,000.00. 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 2024. 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.

Wayback Burgers
Wayback Burgers
N/A avg revenue · 164+ US franchises

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