Loading FDD preview...
Download this + 1,700 other FDDs · One-time purchase
1,700+ FDDs structured for franchise professionals
We extract fees, Item 19 financials, franchisee contacts, SBA default rates, litigation, and outlet data from every FDD — so you can compare brands in minutes, not months. Used by multi-unit operators, consultants, and franchise development teams.
World of Sourdough
World of Sourdough franchises operate restaurants offering handcrafted sandwiches and other approved food items through eat-in and carry-out services, using proprietary recipes, branding, and operational systems. The business model involves granting licenses to franchisees to establish locations under the World of Sourdough marks, with initial investments ranging from $285,800 to $568,725 and ongoing adherence to franchisor standards. They target the general public in the competitive quick-service restaurant industry, particularly sandwich dining segments.
Loading preview...
Download this + 1,700 other FDDs · One-time purchase
Franchise Costs
5% royalty + 0% system ad fund + $284/mo POS & loyalty software ($184 POS + $100 app)
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
This franchise did not provide Item 19 financial performance data.
Be careful if you are interested in investing. The lack of financial performance representations may indicate limited data or varying results across franchises.
Extracted Item 19 Section
Unlock financial performance data with full access to 1,700+ franchise reports
Unlock financial performance dataWorld of Sourdough Franchise Analysis
A young entrant in the sandwich fast-food scene, World of Sourdough has caught eyes with its aggressive expansion plans and proprietary recipes. Yet, a shadow of legal battles with early franchisees and the absence of disclosed earnings paint a picture of high potential laced with uncertainty. What do the growth projections and SBA lending patterns reveal about its long-term viability?
Item 7 in the 2026 FDD outlines initial investments from $330,000 to $589,025, with a $49,500 franchise fee, covering build-out for eat-in and carry-out sandwich spots. Ongoing fees include 5% royalties on gross sales, no advertising fund contribution, plus $284 monthly for POS and loyalty software—relatively lean compared to peers. No Item 19 means no official revenue or profit figures from franchisees, a notable gap forcing reliance on averages like $298,000 from 11 SBA loans, suggesting lenders see viability but buyers lack validated earnings to crunch margins in this competitive QSR niche.
Since franchising in 2021, the system ballooned from 80 locations in 2024 to 100 in 2025—a 25% jump—with 99 franchise units, just 2 corporate, signaling heavy reliance on franchisee capital. Projections eye 75 new units, but 10 transfers and only 1 termination hint at some churn amid settled lawsuits alleging fraud and California law violations against the franchisor. This rapid trajectory screams momentum for risk-tolerant investors chasing sandwich trends, yet the youth, legal baggage, and earnings blackout scream caution—scale could falter without proven unit economics.
Analysis based on the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. All figures should be independently verified before making investment decisions.
How World of Sourdough Compares
Key Insights
- Higher than average SBA loan default rate in Fast Food
| Franchise | Investment | Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
World of Sourdough Current | $330K – $589K | $50K | 5.0% | 99 |
| MCDONALD'S | $1.5M – $2.6M | $45K | N/A | 12,772 |
| LITTLE CAESARS | $377K – $1.8M | $20K | 6.0% | 3,788 |
| AFC | $45K – $151K | $6K | 9.5% | 3,572 |
| KFC (NON-TRADITIONAL) | $1.2M – $4.2M | $45K | N/A | 3,404 |
| SONIC DRIVE-IN | $1.5M – $2.5M | $15K | 5.0% | 3,120 |
Fast Food Average 132 franchises | $602K – $1.6M | $35K | 6.1% | – |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 132 Fast Food franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2025)
Outlets by state across the United States
+6 more states
Unlock location growth data with full access to 1,700+ franchise reports
Unlock location growth dataSBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for World of Sourdough franchisees (2023 – 2025)
Loans by Year
SBA 7(a) loan activity over time
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
11 SBA loans on record
Unlock SBA loan history with full access to 1,700+ franchise reports
Unlock SBA loan historyFranchisee Contacts
53 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.
53 Contacts Available
Unlock all World of Sourdough franchisee contacts with verified contact information
Unlock contactsDue Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Disputes with former franchisees alleging violations of the California Franchise Investment Law (sale of unregistered franchises), unfair business practices, fraud, breach of contract, intentional misrepresentation, and related claims including civil RICO, interference, and declaratory relief. Cases against Sourdough & Co. and/or World of Sourdough Franchising, LLC and principals; all settled or dismissals with prejudice filed.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Unlock due diligence reports with full access to 1,700+ franchise reports
Unlock due diligence reportsFrequently Asked Questions
The total initial investment to open a World of Sourdough franchise ranges from $330,000 to $589,025. This includes a franchise fee of $49,500. Ongoing royalty fees are 5.0% of gross sales.
More Food & Beverage Franchises
Subway
Food & Beverage
MCDONALD'S
Food & Beverage
DUNKIN'
Food & Beverage
DOMINO'S PIZZA
Food & Beverage
Burger King
Food & Beverage
LITTLE CAESARS
Food & Beverage