FDD Analysis Report

Barberitos

Barberitos Franchising Co., LLC

FDD Year: 2026Current
Analysis Date: September 10, 2026

Key Metrics At-a-Glance

Franchise Fee

See FDD

Total Investment

See FDD

Royalty

See FDD

of gross sales

Brand Fund

See FDD

of gross sales

Initial Term

See FDD

System Size

See FDD

Avg Revenue

N/A

Not disclosed

About This Franchise

# Barberitos Franchise Research Report 2025

## Brand Overview

Barberitos is a fast-casual Southwestern Grille and Cantina founded by Downing Barber in 2000. The brand operates 46 locations across seven southeastern U.S. states with strong market concentration in Georgia and North Carolina. In May 2022, WOWorks (owned by Centre Lane Partners) acquired Barberitos.

## Investment Requirements

### Initial Investment - **Total Investment Range**: $507,270 - $830,000 - **Franchise Fee**: $35,000 - **Royalty Fee**: 6% of gross sales - **Marketing Fee**: 3% of gross sales - **Net Worth Requirement**: $700,000 - $1,000,000 - **Liquid Capital Required**: $200,000 - $350,000

## Financial Performance

### Unit Economics - **Average Unit Volume**: $907,000 per year - **Middle Quartiles AUV**: $808,118 - $1,100,000 - **Top Quartile AUV**: $1,800,000 - **Bottom Quartile AUV**: $584,192

## Geographic Presence

46 restaurants across seven southeastern states: - Georgia (primary market) - North Carolina - South Carolina - Alabama - Florida - Tennessee - Virginia

## Franchise Support

- Site selection assistance - Real estate negotiations - Permitting assistance - Construction oversight - Intensive training programs

## Recognition

Named one of Top 20 Emerging Franchise Chains by Nations Restaurant News, described as "innovative, up-and-coming concepts ready to emerge as players to pay attention to."

## Founder Perspective

Downing Barber: "Ive heard others say that the restaurant industry is bottoming out, but thats not what Barberitos is experiencing. We have been creative to discover ways to differentiate ourselves with marketing and creating unique sales opportunities."

## Pros and Cons

### Advantages - Strong AUV ($907K average) - Top performers exceed $1.8M - WOWorks corporate backing - Focused regional strategy - Top 20 Emerging Franchise recognition - Established brand (since 2000)

### Challenges - Higher net worth requirement ($700K-$1M) - Regional focus (Southeast only) - Competitive fast-casual Mexican segment - Variable performance across quartiles - Requires substantial liquid capital

## Conclusion

Barberitos offers a solid regional franchise opportunity in the Southwestern fast-casual segment with strong average unit volumes. The WOWorks acquisition provides corporate resources for growth. Best suited for operators in southeastern markets with restaurant experience and strong financial qualifications.

Ongoing Fees

Fee TypeAmountNotes
RoyaltySee FDD of Gross Revenue-
Brand FundSee FDD of Gross Revenue-

Item 19: Financial Performance Representations

No Financial Performance Representations

This franchisor does not provide Item 19 financial performance representations. Approximately 35% of franchisors choose to disclose this information.

Recommendation: Request financial information directly from existing franchisees listed in Exhibit I during your due diligence. Contact 10-15 franchisees to gather revenue and profitability data before making an investment decision.

Learn more about Item 19 disclosures →

Risk Assessment

Items to Review

No notable items identified

Positive Indicators

Review FDD for positive factors

Due Diligence Recommendations

P1

Contact 10-15 existing franchisees to gather operational and financial insights

Franchisee interviews are the most valuable source of information about day-to-day operations and realistic financial expectations.

P2

Have a franchise attorney review the Franchise Agreement

Professional legal review can identify unfavorable terms and potential negotiation points.

P3

Research local market conditions and competition

Understanding your specific market is essential for success, regardless of system-wide performance.

Download Complete FDD

Access the full Franchise Disclosure Document including all 23 items, exhibits, and financial statements.

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Learn More About FDDs

New to franchise investing? Our educational guides will help you understand what to look for in the Barberitos FDD.

About Barberitos Franchise

Barberitos is a franchise that offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to own and operate their own business within an established system. As of the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchise continues to expand its footprint nationwide. This analysis provides prospective franchisees with key insights from the FDD to support informed investment decisions.

Barberitos Franchise Cost

The total initial investment required to open a Barberitos franchise ranges from See FDD for details. This investment includes the initial franchise fee of See FDD for details, along with expenses for real estate, equipment, inventory, training, and working capital to sustain operations during the initial period. Ongoing fees include a royalty fee of See FDD of gross sales. Prospective franchisees should review Item 7 of the FDD for a complete breakdown of estimated initial investment costs.

Barberitos Item 19 Financial Performance

Barberitos does not provide financial performance representations in Item 19 of their FDD. Approximately 35% of franchisors choose to disclose this information. Without franchisor-provided financial data, prospective franchisees should contact existing franchisees directly to gather information about revenue, expenses, and profitability. The franchisee contact list in Exhibit I provides names and contact information for current and former franchise owners.

Barberitos Franchise Growth and System Health

The Barberitos franchise system has shown stable performance based on unit count data from Item 20 of the FDD. Prospective franchisees should examine the historical data on unit openings, closings, and transfers to understand the system's trajectory and identify any concerning trends.

Barberitos Franchise Investment Considerations

The Barberitos FDD contains important disclosures that prospective franchisees should carefully review before making an investment decision. Key factors to evaluate include the franchise fee structure, ongoing royalty requirements, territory rights, termination history, and franchisor support systems. Every franchise investment carries risk, and this analysis should be combined with professional legal and financial advice. Review the complete FDD and speak with current franchisees to gain a comprehensive understanding of the opportunity.

Due Diligence Recommendations for Barberitos

Before investing in a Barberitos franchise, prospective franchisees should:

  • Contact multiple existing franchisees to gather operational and financial insights
  • Have a franchise attorney review the Franchise Agreement and all exhibits
  • Research local market conditions and competitive landscape
  • Develop a detailed business plan with realistic financial projections
  • Verify all information provided by the franchisor independently

Download the Barberitos FDD

Access the complete Barberitos Franchise Disclosure Document, including all 23 Items, exhibits, franchise agreement, and audited financial statements. FreeFDDs provides free access to FDDs to promote franchise transparency and help prospective franchisees make informed decisions. The FDD contains critical information that should be reviewed in its entirety before making any investment decision.

Disclaimer

This analysis report is provided for informational purposes only. The data presented has been extracted from the Franchise Disclosure Document and may contain errors or omissions.

Prospective franchisees should conduct their own due diligence, review the complete FDD document, and consult with qualified legal and financial advisors before making any investment decisions.