Dash In Food Centers 2024 MD VA Exemption

The vendor opportunity at Dash In Food Centers

Dash In Food Centers operates 54 total locations, with 39 franchised and 15 company-owned units. The chain is part of The Wills Group, Inc., a holding company based in Maryland. For software vendors, the addressable market is compact but concentrated: all purchasing decisions flow through a single corporate headquarters, not a fragmented network of multi-unit operators. The most recent Franchise Disclosure Document (2024) shows a year-over-year unit decline of 2.5%, which may signal a period of consolidation rather than rapid expansion. Still, with a 10-year initial franchise term and a renewal window that opens 15 to 18 months before expiration, there are predictable points when technology reevaluation can occur.

Who controls software purchasing

Decision-making authority sits with The Wills Group’s executive team. The 2024 FDD Item 1 lists Julian B. Wills, III as Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, and Brian Chase as Director of Operations. These are the likely buyers or influencers for any enterprise software pitch. Mark Samuels (Vice President), J.B. “Lock” Wills, Jr. (Treasurer), and Kenneth J. Halperin (Assistant Secretary) round out the named leadership. Because the chain is not operator-mapped in our corpus, vendors should assume a top-down procurement model: HQ evaluates, mandates, and deploys technology across both franchised and company-owned sites.

Mandated and current tech stack

The 2024 FDD mandates three specific technology vendors: Gilbarco, NCR, and Verifone. These systems are required across the network, which means any new software must either integrate with this existing stack or displace an incumbent. Gilbarco typically covers fuel dispenser and forecourt technology; NCR is often the point-of-sale and back-office backbone; Verifone handles payment terminals and security. For a vendor selling complementary or replacement software, the integration surface is well-defined. The mandate also signals that HQ is willing to enforce technology standards, a factor that can shorten sales cycles if you align with their architecture.

Procurement, renewals, and timing

Item 8 of the 2024 FDD does not include a procurement extract, so the formal supplier designation process is not publicly spelled out. Vendors should clarify during initial conversations whether Dash In uses a designated-supplier model, an approved-supplier list, or an open procurement approach. The renewal structure, detailed in Item 17, offers a timing hook: franchisees must give written notice of renewal between 15 and 18 months before the 10-year term ends. They must also execute the then-current franchise agreement, pay a renewal fee equal to 50% of the initial franchise fee, and provide a general release. For software vendors, that renewal window is a natural moment when franchisees—and HQ—may reassess operational tools.

How to read the Dash In FDD

The 2024 Dash In Food Centers FDD is embedded below. It contains the full legal and operational disclosures filed with state franchise regulators. Key sections for software vendors include Item 11 (franchisor’s assistance, advertising, computer systems, and training), which lists the mandated Gilbarco, NCR, and Verifone systems, and Item 1, which names the executives who control purchasing. Item 17 governs renewal and can help you time outreach. Because the FDD does not disclose average unit volume or royalty percentages, you will need to model the per-unit software budget based on industry benchmarks for a 54-unit retail fuel and convenience chain. For a ranked target list of franchise systems that match your software category, FranCloud can help you prioritize outreach.