WOWorks, the multi-brand platform behind several franchise restaurant brands, including Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, Barberitos, Zoup! Eatery and The Simple Greek, launched a three-tier franchise incentive program on September 10, 2026. The program adjusts fees and royalties by development commitment, with operators signing for six or more locations eligible for a net $0 franchise fee on their first three restaurants.
Founded in 2020 and backed by Centre Lane Partners, WOWorks operates a portfolio of nearly 240 restaurants across the United States. Its six brands span fast-casual franchise concepts including salads, smoothie bowls, Mediterranean cuisine, burritos and soups, positioning it as one of the more diversified multi-concept platforms in the better-for-you restaurant segment. Through early September 2026, the company had opened 23 new restaurants and reported 15 more in the pipeline, putting it on track for roughly 40 total openings this year.
A Three-Tier Structure Tied to Development Scale
Available through the first quarter of 2027, the program organizes franchise incentives into three categories based on the number of units an operator commits to open. Small operators (one to two locations) pay half the standard franchise fee at signing and receive a 50% reduction in royalty fees for the first six months after opening.
Medium operators (three to five locations) receive the same fee reduction at signing and a 50% royalty reduction for the first full year; they may also mix and match participating WOWorks brands within a single development agreement.
Large operators (six or more locations) have their initial franchise fee refunded on the first three restaurants, resulting in a net $0 franchise fee for those units, along with the year-long royalty reduction across all locations in the agreement. All incentives are contingent on franchisees meeting the development schedules set out in their agreements and are subject to change, per the company’s announcement.
Co-Branding Added at No Additional Franchise Fee
Alongside the tiered incentive structure, WOWorks introduced what it calls a “Buy One, Get Two” co-branding option. Under the program, a franchisee at any development tier can bring a second participating WOWorks concept into the same location without paying an additional franchise fee.
The arrangement allows two complementary menus to operate from a shared physical footprint, drawing on the same real estate and operational infrastructure. WOWorks has reported that co-branded locations account for close to half of its 2026 openings. Pairings the company has highlighted include Saladworks and Frutta Bowls as well as Barberitos and Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh.
What the Incentive Window Covers and Who It Targets
WOWorks described the program as designed for two distinct profiles: independent entrepreneurs opening their first location and experienced multi-unit operators ready to expand at scale. The offer spans the full WOWorks portfolio and permits multi-brand development agreements under a single franchise relationship.
The company did not disclose the standard franchise fee amounts against which the incentive tiers are calculated. WOWorks is headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, and is actively recruiting franchisees across the United States.
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