WOWorks offering new franchisee development incentive program

Fast casual franchise WOWorks has introduced a new franchise incentive program.

The latest strategy from WOWorks is designed to make franchise development easier for entrepreneurs while rewarding experienced multi-unit operators.

The St. Petersburg, Florida-based company said the three-tiered program will be available for a limited time in the first quarter of 2027, while adjusting franchise fees and royalties.

Franchise incentives

Under the terms of the plan, owners who operate one to two locations will pay half of the standard franchise fee at signing and receive a 50% reduction in royalty fees for the first six months after opening.

Owners with three to five locations will pay half of the pay half of the standard franchise fee at signing and receive a 50% reduction in royalty fees for the first year after opening. Operators may mix and match participating WOWorks brands within their development agreement.

Large owners with six or more locations will pay half of the standard franchise fee at signing, which is refunded for their first three locations. According to WOWorks, this will result in a net $0 franchise fee for those restaurants. Franchisees can also expect to receive a 50% reduction in royalty fees for the first year across all locations and may mix and match participating WOWorks brands, based on the larger-scale plan.

Brand portfolio

Brands operated by WOWorks include Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, The Simple Greek, Barberitos and Zoup! Eatery.

WOWorks recently reported that it opened 23 new restaurants in 2026 and has 15 more locations in development. By the end of this year, WOWorks said it plans to open as many as 40 new units.

“Restaurant development is not one-size-fits-all, and our incentive program reflects the different ways entrepreneurs want to grow,” said Kelly Roddy, CEO of WOWorks. “Whether someone is opening their first restaurant or expanding an established multi-unit portfolio, we are creating a more flexible path into the WOWorks system. For larger operators, the ability to mix and match brands and earn back the franchise fees on their first three locations makes this an especially compelling opportunity to build a diversified restaurant portfolio.”

Co branding options

This latest program from WOWorks also allows franchisees to participate in a “Buy One, Get Two” co-branding program. The move allows franchisees to add a second participating WOWorks brand to the same location without having to pay an additional franchise fee.

According to WOWorks, this allows franchisees to appeal to a broader range of customers from a shared restaurant footprint while leveraging the same real estate and infrastructure.

“Co-branding is one of the most distinct advantages of the WOWorks platform,” said James Walker, chief growth officer of WOWorks. “Instead of asking franchisees to invest in an entirely separate location to diversify their offering, we can help them bring two complementary concepts together under one roof. This program lowers a key barrier to entry and gives operators more flexibility in how they approach their markets.”

WOWorks said it currently has nearly 240 locations nationwide. Founded in, WOWorks is a portfolio company of New York-based private equity firm Centre Lane Partners, LLC.