What is the significance of the number of single-branded franchised Arby's restaurants operating internationally as of December 29, 2024, for potential Moes Southwest Grill franchisees?
Moes_Southwest_Grill Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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.
Source: Item 1 — The Franchisor and any Parents, Predecessors, and Affiliates (FDD pages 10–23)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 FDD, as of December 29, 2024, there were 231 single-branded franchised Arby's restaurants operating internationally. This information is relevant to a prospective Moes Southwest Grill franchisee because Arby's is an affiliated program through its parent company, GoTo Foods. While the success of Arby's international franchises does not guarantee similar results for Moes Southwest Grill, it can provide insights into the parent company's experience and capabilities in international franchising.
The FDD indicates that Inspire Brands, the parent company of Arby's, has been offering and selling franchises outside the United States for Arby's restaurants since May 2016. This suggests that the parent company has experience in navigating the complexities of international franchise development, including adapting the brand to different cultural and economic contexts. This experience could be a valuable asset for Moes Southwest Grill as it considers its own international expansion strategies.
However, it's important to note that the FDD states that none of the affiliated franchisors are obligated to provide products or services to Moes Southwest Grill franchisees. Therefore, while the international presence of Arby's may indicate a level of expertise within the parent company, Moes Southwest Grill franchisees should not assume that they will directly benefit from Arby's resources or experience. Prospective franchisees should conduct their own due diligence to assess the potential risks and rewards of investing in a Moes Southwest Grill franchise, regardless of the performance of its sister brands.