Waffle Cabin

Waffle Cabin Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Waffle Cabin is a food franchise offering fresh Belgian sugar waffles served from cabins, carts, or kiosks, often located in ski resorts, festivals, and event venues.

Waffle Cabin is a unique quick-service franchise specializing in authentic Liège-style Belgian sugar waffles. Founded in 1998 by Peter Creyf and Ingrid Heyrman, it began as a humble pushcart named "Leo’s Gaufres de Liège" at Boston’s Quincy Market.

After initial challenges, the concept found success at ski resorts, leading to the establishment of the first permanent Waffle Cabin in December 1999. The franchise officially launched in 2012 and is headquartered in Rutland, Vermont.

The menu centers around handcrafted Liège waffles made from yeast-based dough and imported Belgian pearl sugar, resulting in a caramelized, crispy exterior and soft interior.

Customers can enjoy these waffles plain or topped with semi-sweet dark Belgian chocolate. Complementary beverages like hot cocoa, coffee, and tea are also available. Waffle Cabin's commitment to quality includes sourcing ingredients from trusted Vermont suppliers and maintaining a nut-free production facility.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $23,500
Delayed Opening Fee $0 to $15,000
Vehicle $35,000 to $90,000
Equipment $15,000 to $25,000
Initial Inventory - Proprietary Items $2,468 to $2,678
Initial Inventory - Other $1,532 to $2,922
Point-of-Sale System $1,000 to $1,500
Travel, Lodging and Meals for Initial Training $0 to $3,500
Insurance – 3 Months $500
Grand Opening Advertising $0
Licenses and Permits $250 to $1,000
Professional Fees $1,000 to $5,000
Additional Funds – 3 Months $10,000 to $17,500
Total $90,250 to $188,100
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $23,500
Delayed Opening Fee $0 to $15,000
Vehicle $35,000 to $90,000
Equipment $15,000 to $25,000
Initial Inventory - Proprietary Items $2,468 to $2,678
Initial Inventory - Other $1,532 to $2,922
Point-of-Sale System $1,000 to $1,500
Travel, Lodging and Meals for Initial Training $0 to $3,500
Insurance – 3 Months $500
Grand Opening Advertising $0
Licenses and Permits $250 to $1,000
Professional Fees $1,000 to $5,000
Additional Funds – 3 Months $10,000 to $17,500
Total $90,250 to $188,100

Franchise Disclosure Document

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Competitors

Below are some of

Waffle Cabin

key competitors in the

Breakfast

sector.

Started franchising
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Franchise fee

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Gross Profit

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Home-based

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Passive investment

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FDD
Waffle Cabin
2012
38
+
36%
36%
$23,500
5.00%

$90,000

-

$188,000

n.a.

$122,000

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

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n.a.

n.a.

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2022
0
+
n.a.
n.a.
$35,000
7.00%

$970,000

-

$1,866,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$0

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

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No
Upgrade
No
No
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No
2007
12
+
20%
20%
$45,000
5.50%

$737,000

-

$1,889,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$1,993,000

77.1%

n.a.

Upgrade

11.0%

n.a.

Upgrade
Upgrade
Upgrade
2000
30
+
0%
0%
$44,900
6.00%

$642,000

-

$937,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$871,000

72.4%

n.a.

Upgrade

14.0%

n.a.

Upgrade
No
Upgrade
No
No
Upgrade
No
2022
1
+
n.a.
n.a.
$50,000
6.00%

$783,000

-

$2,010,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$838,000

62.8%

n.a.

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n.a.

n.a.

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No
Upgrade
No
No
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No
2011
20
+
-26%
-26%
$40,000
4% - 5%

$425,000

-

$1,685,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$0

n.a.

n.a.

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n.a.

n.a.

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Upgrade
2021
88
+
-10%
-10%
$35,000
4.00%

$1,075,000

-

$2,740,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$1,823,000

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade
Upgrade
Upgrade

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Training

Waffle Cabin offers a structured training program to ensure franchisees and their staff are adequately prepared to operate under the brand standards. The training includes the following key programs:

  1. Initial Training Program
    Waffle Cabin provides a three-day initial training for up to four individuals (three Principals and one General Manager) at no extra cost. This training is conducted at their headquarters, an affiliate location in Vermont, or another designated site. Additional participants or new managers require a training fee.
  2. On-Site Opening Assistance
    Around the time of business opening, a company representative offers on-site support and training for up to three days. If more days are needed, the franchisee covers all additional travel and lodging expenses.
  3. Additional Training Requests
    Franchisees can request further on-site training at any time during the franchise term. These sessions are charged per day plus trainer expenses.

Territory Protection

Waffle Cabin offers franchisees a defined territory, which is typically a geographic area such as a city or a set of zip codes. For suburban locations, this may be a three-mile radius around the restaurant, while urban areas may cover three to five city blocks.

If the location is within a venue like a ski resort, the venue itself is considered the exclusive territory.

However, outside of venue-based locations, Waffle Cabin does not provide exclusive territory rights. Franchisees may face competition from other franchisees, company-owned outlets, or distribution channels even within their designated area.

Number of units

2024
Franchised units

28

33

38

Company-owned units

17

13

14

Total units

45

46

52

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+
20%
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0%
0%
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