Waters Edge Wineries is a winery franchise that offers a variety of handcrafted wines made from locally sourced grapes, providing a unique wine-tasting experience with a focus on quality and craftsmanship.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
14
+
8%
8%
Franchise fee
?
$50,000
Investment
?
$830,000 - $1,338,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$525,000
+
n.a.
n.a.
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Founded in 2004 by Ken and Angela Lineberger, Waters Edge Wineries is a groundbreaking franchise concept that brings the traditional winery atmosphere into the heart of local communities.
Based in Rancho Cucamonga, California, the brand started franchising in 2012, offering entrepreneurs the chance to operate fully equipped wineries without owning a vineyard.
Rather than cultivating their own grapes, Waters Edge Wineries partners with an international network of top vineyards to source premium crushed grapes. This innovative method allows each location to produce a wide range of wines on-site, from popular favorites like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay to distinctive options such as Barolo and Gewürztraminer.
The micro-winery business model not only lowers the financial barriers typically associated with winemaking but also makes the winery experience more accessible in urban environments, expanding the appeal of wine culture to a broader audience.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a Waters Edge Wineries franchise is $830,000 - $1,338,000. That is the total cost you would need to finance 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
$50,000
Leasehold Improvements
$664,000 – $953,500
Winery Equipment
$26,000 – $96,000
Computer System & Label Printing
$2,549 – $13,750
Revel System POS hardware & VinesOS software
$12,530 – $14,519
Added Services Fee
$1,050
Rent, Lease & Utility Security Deposits
$9,000 – $40,000
Initial Inventory
$35,000 – $55,000
Insurance (initial deposit)
$1,000 – $6,000
Training Expenses
$2,000 – $9,500
Custom Winery System Training
$4,000
Grand Opening Advertising and Promotion
$4,500 – $8,500
Winery Licenses & Licensing Compliance
$5,500 – $10,900
Professional Fees
$1,000 – $5,000
Uniforms
$500 – $1,500
Payroll Service
$180 – $750
Local Organizations (Optional)
$0 – $500
Bank Charges for first 3 months
$60 – $150
Janitorial for first 3 months
$500 – $1,000
Entertainment for first 3 months
$0 – $7,500
Printing and Reproduction
$100 – $1,000
Security System
$100 – $300
Televisions
$0 – $6,500
Direct TV or similar service (optional)
$0 – $375
Food Protection Training, Testing, and Certification
$388 – $629
Additional Funds (3-month period)
$10,000 – $50,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment
$829,957 – $1,337,923
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Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee
$50,000
Leasehold Improvements
$664,000 – $953,500
Winery Equipment
$26,000 – $96,000
Computer System & Label Printing
$2,549 – $13,750
Revel System POS hardware & VinesOS software
$12,530 – $14,519
Added Services Fee
$1,050
Rent, Lease & Utility Security Deposits
$9,000 – $40,000
Initial Inventory
$35,000 – $55,000
Insurance (initial deposit)
$1,000 – $6,000
Training Expenses
$2,000 – $9,500
Custom Winery System Training
$4,000
Grand Opening Advertising and Promotion
$4,500 – $8,500
Winery Licenses & Licensing Compliance
$5,500 – $10,900
Professional Fees
$1,000 – $5,000
Uniforms
$500 – $1,500
Payroll Service
$180 – $750
Local Organizations (Optional)
$0 – $500
Bank Charges for first 3 months
$60 – $150
Janitorial for first 3 months
$500 – $1,000
Entertainment for first 3 months
$0 – $7,500
Printing and Reproduction
$100 – $1,000
Security System
$100 – $300
Televisions
$0 – $6,500
Direct TV or similar service (optional)
$0 – $375
Food Protection Training, Testing, and Certification
$388 – $629
Additional Funds (3-month period)
$10,000 – $50,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment
$829,957 – $1,337,923
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Waters Edge Wineries's 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
Waters Edge Wineries had 14 total units in 2023, of which 14 were franchised-owned and 0 company-owned.
Waters Edge Wineries provides several types of training programs to its franchisees to prepare them for successful operations:
Initial Training Program: Waters Edge Wineries requires franchisees and their General Managers to complete an initial training course, which includes both remote web-based instruction and in-person classroom training at their facility in Rancho Cucamonga, California. This training covers winery system operations, food handling certifications, and store management fundamentals.
Custom Winery System Training: Depending on whether the franchisee purchases a large or small tank system, specialized winery system training is provided to ensure proper handling of equipment and wine production processes.
Refresher Training Courses: Franchisees and managers may be required to attend refresher training sessions as needed. These courses, held at designated locations, focus on operational updates, new products, and maintaining compliance with franchise standards.
Ongoing Training and Meetings: Waters Edge Wineries may also require attendance at annual franchise conventions and regional meetings. These sessions cover new operational procedures, product preparation, store management updates, and promotional strategies.
Territory Protection
Waters Edge Wineries offers its franchisees a Designated Area but does not grant an exclusive territory. Franchisees are granted the right to operate a single Waters Edge Winery & Bistro at a specific location described in their Franchise Agreement, and within this Designated Area, the franchisor agrees not to establish or allow another Waters Edge Winery & Bistro to open.
However, the Designated Area does not cover Special Sites like casinos, airports, malls, and tourist venues, where the franchisor retains the right to operate or grant licenses freely.
Despite this limited protection, Waters Edge Wineries reserves broad rights to compete with the franchisee even within the Designated Area. The franchisor may sell products under the Waters Edge brand or other brands through different channels such as the internet, catalog sales, or telemarketing without compensating the franchisee.
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