What is the significance of the Arby's trade name for potential Moes Southwest Grill franchisees?
Moes_Southwest_Grill Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
or Arby's, have not offered franchises in any other line of business.
Arby's is a franchisor of quick-serve restaurants operating under the Arby's® trade name and business system that feature slow-roasted, freshly sliced roasted beef and other deli-style sandwiches. In July 2011, Arby's became an Affiliated Program through an acquisition. Arby's has been franchising since 1965. Predecessors and former affiliates of Arby's have, in the past, offered franchises for other restaurant concepts including T.J. Cinnamons® stores that served gourmet baked goods. All of the T.J. Cinnamons locations have closed. As of December 29, 2024, there were 3,365 Arby's restaurants operating in the United States (2,286 franchised and 1,079 company-owned), including one multi-brand location. Additionally, as of December 29, 2024, there were 231 single-branded franchised Arby's restaurants operating internationally.
Baskin-Robbins is a franchisor of Baskin-Robbins® restaurants that offer ice cream, ice cream cakes and related frozen products, beverages and other products and services.
Source: Item 1 — The Franchisor and any Parents, Predecessors, and Affiliates (FDD pages 10–23)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Moe's Southwest Grill's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Arby's is identified as an affiliated program through its parent company, GoTo Foods. Specifically, Inspire Brands, Inc. is the parent company to Arby's and Buffalo Wild Wings brands. This means that Moe's Southwest Grill is affiliated with Arby's through common ownership.
For a prospective Moe's Southwest Grill franchisee, this affiliation could mean several things. First, there may be shared resources or best practices between the brands. Second, GoTo Foods manages the supply chain for Moe's Southwest Grill and other franchise systems within its portfolio, which includes Arby's. This could lead to cost savings or efficiencies in procurement and distribution. However, the FDD also states that none of the affiliated franchisors are obligated to provide products or services to you; however, you may purchase products or services from these franchisors if you choose to do so.
It's important to note that while there are potential benefits to being part of a larger franchise network, the FDD also clarifies that Moe's Southwest Grill franchisees may compete with other outlets that sell Moe's branded products, including restaurants and retail stores. Additionally, the restaurant business is highly competitive, and success depends on various factors such as location, food quality, and service. Therefore, while the affiliation with Arby's and other brands under GoTo Foods may offer some advantages, franchisees must still focus on effectively managing their individual Moe's Southwest Grill restaurants to succeed in the market.
Prospective franchisees should inquire about the specific services and support provided by GoTo Foods and how the affiliation with other brands like Arby's may impact their business. Understanding the extent of resource sharing, supply chain efficiencies, and potential competitive overlaps is crucial for making an informed investment decision.