Walk Ons
Walk On's Sports Bistreaux offers Louisiana-themed sports grill restaurants with menu items like sandwiches, seafood, and Southern specialties. Known for its sports bar atmosphere and food offerings, this franchise operates in the casual dining and sports entertainment industry.
Walk Ons franchise FAQ
How much does it cost to open one — the total initial investment?
The total initial investment necessary to begin operation of a single WalkOn's Sports Bistreaux Restaurant is from $1,554,500 to $7,016,300, including $120,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate. [p.1]
What is the initial franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee for one WalkOn's Restaurant is $60,000 [p.11]. This fee is fully earned upon payment and is not refundable [p.11]. Discounts on the initial franchise fee may apply in certain circumstances, such as when acquiring rights to multiple locations [p.11].
What are the ongoing royalty and advertising fees?
This isn't specified in the excerpts.
How long is the initial franchise agreement, and can I renew it?
The term of the initial franchise agreement is not specified in the excerpts. However, based on [p.107], you have the right to renew the agreement every 20 years as long as you are not in default and there is no mention of a specific initial term length.
Can I sell or transfer my franchise, and what does that require?
According to the FDD, a provision permits the franchisor to refuse to permit a transfer of ownership of a franchise except for good cause. Good cause is not fully detailed in these excerpts but generally includes specific reasons determined by the franchisor [p.5]. This means you cannot freely sell or transfer your franchise without the franchisor's approval based on their defined criteria.
On what grounds can the franchisor terminate the agreement?
According to [p.5], a franchisor can terminate a franchise prior to expiration only for good cause, which includes the failure of the franchisee to comply with any lawful provision of the franchise agreement and curing such failure after being given written notice and a reasonable opportunity not exceeding 30 days.
What financial requirements — net worth and liquid capital — do I need to qualify?
According to [p.106], you must have the financial resources and capital necessary to operate the WalkOn's Restaurant according to all standards set by the franchisor. Additionally, as stated on [p.90], you must maintain adequate reserves and working capital sufficient to fulfill your obligations under the agreement and cover risks and contingencies for at least 3 months.
Do I get an exclusive or protected territory?
No, you do not receive an exclusive Development Territory. You are granted a protected geographic area around your WalkOn's Restaurant Location, but this is not exclusive, and you may face competition from other WalkOn's Restaurants or outlets owned by the franchisor at nontraditional locations [p.41, p.70].
What training and ongoing support does the franchisor provide?
The franchisor provides an Opening Training Team for on-site pre-opening and opening training, supervision, support, and assistance [p.79, p.38]. This initial support is based on the franchisee's experience in restaurant operations and management level [p.79, p.39]. Additionally, after securing a Restaurant Location, the franchisor offers an Initial Training Program for up to 6 people, including mandatory attendance from key staff members like the General Manager, Restaurant Managers, and Executive Kitchen Manager [p.38]. The franchisor may also provide additional on-site training or assistance at their discretion, though this is not required by the Franchise Agreement [p.39].
How many franchised outlets are there, and how many have closed or been terminated?
At the end of 2024, there were 70 franchised restaurants open and operating. However, this number does not directly indicate how many have closed or been terminated during that year as the FDD excerpt [p.65] only lists franchisees who had their agreements terminated, canceled, not renewed, transferred, or otherwise ceased to do business under a Franchise Agreement during the company's last fiscal year without specifying the exact number.
Does the franchisor share any financial performance or earnings information?
The franchisor may provide actual records of an existing outlet if it is one you are considering buying [p.58]. However, beyond this, the franchisor does not make any financial performance representations and does not authorize its employees or representatives to do so either orally or in writing [p.62, p.127]. The only financial performance information that can be included is what is specified in Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document [p.58, p.132].
What am I restricted to selling, and where must I buy supplies?
You are required to sell the proprietary products designated by the franchisor [p.17], and you must purchase or lease certain products from suppliers designated or approved by the franchisor [p.23]. Specifically, you must use Reinhart Food Service/PFG for food distribution, Fintech for alcohol electronic payment systems, EcoLab for dish washing machines and chemicals, Edward Don for small wares, and Bamco for uniforms. Additionally, any vendor selling produce must be an approved Fresh Concepts member [p.23].