Franchise

Franchise Information

Corporate Mailing Address
680 8th St. #170
San Francisco, CA 94103
Tel: 415.309.5464
Fax: 415.864.9465
E-mail: franchising@whatsupdog.com

WHAT’S UP DOG!  is a one of a kind franchise opportunity in the fast-food casual restaurant category. An opportunity to provide a new spin with one of America’s all time favorite fast-food.  Hot Dogs, Frankfurters and Gourmet Sausages made from the finest quality spices and meats with quality service. All provided in a comfortable environment, with that friendly neighborhood feel.  We have several different unit selections to accommodate your investment level and the best fit location where you want to open your WHAT’S UP DOG! Our units come in full-brick and mortar stores, concession trailers, traditional hot dog carts and our newest mini-concession vehicle.  Let us find the best fit for you!

What makes the perfect WHAT’S UP DOG! Franchisee? WHAT’S UP DOG Franchisees will have a strong desire to make customers happy.  The capabilities to recruit, train, and motivate people, all with the aptitude to manage finances.  Franchisees will have the enthusiasm to personally devote time and effort to day-to-day operations with the overall objective of enjoying running their own business, being their own boss and making WHAT’S UP DOG! a continuing success.

Find out about opportunities in:

·         Unit Franchise Agreements

·         Master Franchise Agreements for territories, cities, counties and states

Preferred Criteria

* $59,000 minimum net assets

* Restaurant and/or management experience 

Steps to Become a Franchisee

Step 1: E-Mail or call us for a Franchise Application at:
franchising@whatsupdog.com or 1-415-309-5464
and we will e-mail an application form.
You can fax to 1-415-864-9465 or snail mail to:

WHAT’S UP DOG.
680 8th st #170

San Francisco, CA 94103

Once your application is received, our Sales Representative will contact you shortly. Please be sure to fill out the application as completely as possible. This does not obligate you to purchase a WHAT’S UP DOG! franchise; it is the first easy step for additional information.

Step 2: When our Sales Representative contacts you, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the qualifications, available locations, and what it takes to become a successful owner of a WHAT’S UP DOG! franchise. If you have further interest, we will schedule a time to meet and give you a copy of our Uniform Franchise Disclosure Document (UFDD). The UFDD contains information about the Franchise Offering and Agreement terms.

Step 3: When you receive the UFDD, you will sign a receipt page, this begins a mandatory fourteen day wait period before the actual Franchise Agreement can be signed. This does not obligate you to purchase a WHAT’S UP DOG! franchise.  During this time if you would like to move forward, we require that you submit a completed franchise application, copy of your driver’s license, signed credit check authorization form, signed background check release, submit current financial statements and bank statements to verify funds. We recommend that during this 14-day wait period that you perform your due diligence, consult with your accountant, and speak with legal counsel. Visit other WHAT’S UP DOG! locations to make sure this is a good fit for you!

Step 4: Once the application process is completed and you are approved, you will sign the Franchise Agreement. At this time you will submit $20,000, a non-refundable portion of the Franchise Fee.

Step 5: Together we will review information covering site selections in your targeted area, preliminary site information, and ultimately assist you in selecting the right location. We will also assist you in preparing your Letter of Intent (LOI) for your approved location.

Step 6: We are available to assist you in your lease negotiations. The final lease with the landlord of the  store site will be executed by you. A Real Estate attorney should be consulted.

 Step 7: Once the lease is approved, tenant improvements will be completed by WHAT'S UP DOG! LLC. You will be responsible for all permit fees, insurance, security deposit, setting up accounts with approved vendors, and initial inventory purchase.

Step 8: Training will begin one week before your scheduled opening date at our training store located in San Francisco, CA or in another specified location.  2 weeks additional training will occur on-site at your location. We will also assist in employee hiring and training of your start up staff.

Once you have passed your training certification, you will be in the driver’s seat of your WHAT’S UP DOG! franchise!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is previous food or restaurant experience necessary to obtain a WHAT’S UP DOG!  franchise?
Restaurant experience is always helpful.  However, if you have experience running any type of business, including working with employees and customers, managing cash, or generating financial statements, it will be extremely valuable.  We have a complete training program and manuals as well as field operational staff that can help you learn this business as well as provide ongoing support for you. SBA funding may require some restaurant experience, please consult with your SBA lender.

Is there a cost for the training program or ongoing support?
The cost of training is included in your franchise fee, which includes training and support at your location for the Grand Opening. Travel, lodging, and food costs, are the responsibility of the individual franchisee. WHAT’S UP DOG! LLC. will provide ongoing training and support.

How much does a franchise cost?
Turn-key brick and mortar units are $59,000 - $199,000.   Our mobile concession trailers, hot dog carts, or mini concession vehicles are $20,000 - $80,000. WHAT’S UP DOG! prices vary by locations.  Franchise fee for a brick and mortar store is $35,000.  Franchise fee for our mobile units are $10,000 - $20,000.

What does a "turn-key package" mean?
It means we will (a) complete the build-out and/or remodel of the unit premises consistent with WHAT’S UP DOG! standards, (b) purchase and install required equipments, furnishings, fixtures, signs and décor as required by WHAT’S UP DOG! LLC; (c) prepare the Unit to open for business as required by System Standards in our UFDD; and (d) provide initial training as detailed in UFDD.

Am I protected from other WHAT’S UP DOG! stores opening near my store?
We have a 0 to 1 mile protected area ratio and it will be determined and documented when signing the Franchise Agreement.

How is an area defined for a Master Franchise Agreement?
We will define it by city, county or state in our Master Franchise Agreement.

How long is the Franchise Agreement, and is it renewable?
The Franchise Agreement term is for ten years. Refer to UFDD for more information.

How much is the royalty payment and how is it collected?
There is a fee of 5% of gross receipts for full WHAT’S UP DOG! stores and a fee of 3% for WHAT’S UP DOG! Express units. Fees are collected per month drafted from your account.

What are the advertising fees?
There is a 1% monthly regional advertising fee that is maintained through fellow franchisee elected committees. As well as a 1% advertising fee that WHAT’S UP DOG! LLC uses for National advertising. These funds will be electronically drafted.

How much will it cost to open a store?
The cost of opening a WHAT’S UP DOG! varies by type of unit,  location, and size. Please refer to UFDD.

Who can I call to discuss a business loan?
You are welcome to visit any financial institutions. We work with numerous lending institutions and will be happy to refer you.

The information in this web site does not constitute an offer to sell a franchise in any state that requires registration of the franchise opportunity. We will not make any offer of a franchise opportunity in those states until after we have obtained effective registration of our franchise.