Why We Don't Award Single-Unit Franchises: The Case for Multi-Unit Growth in QSR

The Short Answer: We do not award single-unit franchises because the modern burger QSR landscape requires economies of scale to maximize profitability and sustainability. By focusing on multi-unit partners who commit to opening three or more stores, we ensure our operators have the centralized infrastructure, financial resilience ($1.5M+ Net Worth), and extensive QSR experience necessary to navigate a competitive market. Multi-unit franchising allows for streamlined supply chains, shared labor resources, and a more robust return on investment compared to single-unit ownership.

In the competitive world of Quick Service Restaurants (QSR), particularly in the burger sector, the difference between surviving and thriving often comes down to scale. While single-unit ownership was once the standard entry point for franchising, the industry has evolved.

We have made the strategic decision to partner exclusively with multi-unit operators. This isn't just a preference; it is a calculated approach designed to protect the investment of our franchisees and the integrity of our brand.

Here is why we require a minimum commitment of 3 stores, along with specific liquidity and experience benchmarks.

1. Economies of Scale are Non-Negotiable

Running a single burger restaurant subjects an owner to significant localized risk. If road construction blocks your entrance or a local competitor opens next door, your entire revenue stream is threatened.

Multi-unit ownership mitigates this risk through diversification, but more importantly, it unlocks operational efficiency:

• Purchasing Power: Managing three or more units allows for better inventory management and waste reduction.

• Marketing Efficiency: Your local advertising spend covers a wider territory, potentially lowering the customer acquisition cost (CAC) per store.

• Shared Resources: You can share maintenance contracts, district managers, and even shift leaders between locations, reducing overhead costs that would otherwise cripple a single store.

2. The Necessity of QSR Experience

We require our partners to have extensive QSR experience—or to partner with an operator who does. Why? Because the "learning curve" in the burger business can be expensive and extensive.

Multi-unit operators generally approach franchising as a sophisticated business portfolio rather than a "job." They understand:

• Speed of service metrics.

• Food safety compliance at scale.

• Labor law and team management.

When you commit to three or more units, you are building an organization, not just buying a job. This requires a level of professional sophistication that ensures brand standards are met from Day 1.

3. Financial Resilience and Capital Requirements

Our financial requirements are strict: $750,000+ in liquidity and $1.5M+ in net worth.

Single-unit operators often lack the capital buffer to weather economic downturns, supply chain spikes, or unexpected equipment failures. A multi-unit partner with deep liquidity is better positioned to:

• Weather initial ramp-up periods for new locations.

• Has the capital needed to secure bank loans

• Reinvest in store technology and remodels.

• Sustain aggressive marketing campaigns to capture market share.

In the capital-intensive burger franchise space, having a financial safety net is the key to long-term longevity.

4. Talent Retention and Career Pathing

One of the biggest challenges in the QSR franchise industry is turnover. In a single-unit franchise, a high-performing General Manager (GM) has nowhere to grow. Eventually, they will leave for a bigger opportunity.

In a multi-unit organization (3+ stores), you can offer genuine career progression. A GM can aspire to become a District Manager or an Area Supervisor. This ability to offer upward mobility helps you attract and retain top-tier talent that single-unit owners simply cannot compete for.

It also allows the franchisee to build a more robust training team that can help elevate all locations through continuous training throughout the development agreement period and beyond.

5. Focused Franchisor Support

By limiting our partnerships to fewer, more capable multi-unit groups, we aim to provide a higher level of support. Instead of spreading our corporate resources thin across hundreds of inexperienced single-unit owners, we dedicate our team to helping sophisticated groups scale effectively. Our average franchisee owns over 15 stores which speaks to our multi-unit foundation.

This means when you partner with us, you get:

• More personalized real estate support.

• Data-driven market planning for your development territory.

• Strategic business coaching rather than basic operational hand-holding.

The Verdict: Scale is the Strategy

We don't award single-unit franchises because we are committed to the success of our partners. In today’s burger QSR environment, success requires the leverage, liquidity, and leadership that comes with multi-unit ownership.

If you have the vision to build an empire rather than buy a store, let's chat! Complete the form to this page for next steps.