Duff’s Famous Wings^®

Food & Beverage • Year: 2025

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What Is Duff’s Famous Wings?

Duff’s Famous Wings is a full-service restaurant franchise focused on chicken wings with proprietary sauces, along with appetizers, burgers, sandwiches and soft drinks. Restaurants offer lunch and dinner for dine-in and take-out, and the franchisor may, on a case-by-case basis, authorize catering and delivery services. Franchisees must offer beer and wine (and may offer liquor), making alcoholic beverage sales a material revenue stream. Duff’s Famous Wings locations are generally in strip centers or free-standing buildings, typically about 3,000 to 5,000 square feet.

Duff’s Famous Wings Franchise: Pros and Cons

The franchise's most notable strength is a spotless legal record—zero disclosed lawsuits, enforcement actions, penalties, franchisee judgments or fraud cases—while the main risk is high onboarding costs, with training estimated at $12,600–$25,200, both above typical franchises and increasing upfront cash needs for startup.

Pros

Zero disclosed lawsuits, franchisor enforcement actions, government penalties, franchisee-initiated judgments/settlements, or fraud cases — all well below what's typical for Food & Beverage — this clean legal and regulatory record limits legal distractions and potential compliance costs for operators.

No outlet terminations and no franchise non-renewals — both well below what's typical for Food & Beverage — indicating franchisees have generally been able to remain in the system rather than exit early.

Training estimates of $12,600 (minimum) and $25,200 (maximum) — both well above what's typical across franchises — often reflect a more comprehensive initial training program, and the franchisor also cannot materially change the training program (an unusual stabilizing feature), which together suggest robust, predictable onboarding.

Cons

Training estimates of $12,600 (minimum) and $25,200 (maximum) — both well above what's typical across franchises — increase your upfront cash needed for initial training, travel, lodging and overall startup expenditure.

Lawsuits & Legal Risk

100

Excellent

The franchise reported no material legal proceedings. Part 1 (The Facts): No litigation was disclosed in Item 3; there are no reported disputes, settlements, or enforcement actions in the FDD. Part 2 (The Advice): Even with no disclosures, request a litigation update and ask current franchisees about legal or regulatory issues; review Item 19 (earnings claims) and Item 20/Item 21 references for potential related disputes before signing. Please confirm there are no pending matters in a supplemental disclosure.

Territory Protection

48/100

NORMAL

Grants a protected operating area where the franchisor will not place other physical units. The franchisor retains rights to develop nearby units, acquire or convert locations, sell via e-commerce and alternative distribution channels (including retail and nontraditional venues), use different trademarks, and condition protection on performance contingencies.

Training & Support

48/100

NORMAL

The brand provides a focused 56-hour training curriculum designed to prepare four staff members for launch. The program includes on-site launch support for operational readiness; franchisees are responsible for travel and living expenses, and on-site support may incur additional fees.

Unit Growth Analysis

From 2022–2025 the system was flat at 5 units each year (2022: 5, 2023: 5, 2024: 5, 2025: 5), yielding a latest year‑over‑year growth rate of 0.0%. This is a stable but stagnant trajectory—no acceleration or decline—signaling to investors that the brand is not currently scaling; prospective investors should probe unit‑level economics, franchisor development pipeline and support before expecting system‑level growth.

How Much Does It Cost to Open a Duff’s Famous Wings Franchise?

Opening a Duff’s Famous Wings franchise requires a total initial investment of $534,655 to $1,154,575, according to the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. This range covers the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and initial working capital needed to launch and operate through the early months.

Minimum Investment

$534,655

Franchise Fee

Real Estate

Equipment & Assets

Reserves

Training

Other

Maximum Investment

$1,154,575

Minimum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$30,000

Real Estate$247,275

Equipment & Assets$181,230

Reserves$26,250

Training$12,600

Other$37,300

Maximum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$30,000

Real Estate$609,000

Equipment & Assets$373,275

Reserves$52,500

Training$25,200

Other$64,600

Investment Analysis

This investment analysis is coming soon. Have ideas for other analyses you'd like us to add? Get in touch.

The initial investment amounts shown are estimates only. Actual costs may vary based on location size, business model, and multi-unit ownership arrangements. We recommend reviewing the full Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.

How Much Do Duff’s Famous Wings Franchise Owners Make?

Duff’s Famous Wings franchise locations reported average gross sales of $2,770,725 and median gross sales of $2,770,725 in 2025, based on financial performance data disclosed in Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Average Gross Sales:

$2,770,725

Median Gross Sales:

$2,770,725

High Gross Sales:

$3,799,528

Low Gross Sales:

$1,741,921

Sample Size:

Percent Attaining Average:

50.0%

Franchise vs Corporate Performance: In 2024 affiliate businesses materially outperformed franchised outlets (affiliate average 3,967,317 vs franchise average 2,770,725), though affiliates also constitute a larger portion of the Reporting Group.

Performance Variability Analysis: Among the two franchised locations in 2024 there is substantial spread (low 1,741,921; high 3,799,528), indicating high variability across individual franchised units within this small sample.

Data Scope and Limitations: The Item 19 figures cover only three years (2022–2024) and only two franchised units, and the representation explicitly excludes costs and expenses, limiting conclusions about profitability.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to open a Duff’s Famous Wings franchise?

The total initial investment for a Duff’s Famous Wings franchise ranges from $534,655 to $1,154,575, according to the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and working capital.

What is the Duff’s Famous Wings initial franchise fee?

The initial franchise fee for Duff’s Famous Wings is $30,000, as stated in the 2025 FDD. This fee is paid upon signing the Franchise Agreement.

How much do Duff’s Famous Wings franchise owners make?

Duff’s Famous Wings franchise locations reported average gross sales of $2,770,725 and median gross sales of $2,770,725 in 2025, based on Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document. Actual earnings vary by location, market, and operator experience.

Does Duff’s Famous Wings have any franchise lawsuits or legal issues?

Duff’s Famous Wings received a legal risk score of 100 out of 100 in the 2025 FDD analysis. The franchise reported no material legal proceedings.

Does Duff’s Famous Wings offer exclusive franchise territories?

Duff’s Famous Wings received a territory protection score of 48 out of 100. Grants a protected operating area where the franchisor will not place other physical units.

What training does Duff’s Famous Wings provide to new franchisees?

Duff’s Famous Wings received a training and support score of 48 out of 100. The brand provides a focused 56-hour training curriculum designed to prepare four staff members for launch.

How many Duff’s Famous Wings franchise locations are there?

Duff’s Famous Wings had 5 total locations as of the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document.

What type of business is Duff’s Famous Wings?

Duff’s Famous Wings is a full-service restaurant franchise focused on chicken wings with proprietary sauces, along with appetizers, burgers, sandwiches and soft drinks.

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