From the filings

HQ-led decisions

Eiffel Waffle

Quick service restaurant

Software purchasing at Eiffel Waffle is controlled by co-founders Omar Falaneh and Barra Abousalem at the brand's Illinois headquarters. The chain currently mandates Instagram, Sysco, TikTok, and YouTube for franchisees, with additional recommendations for Paychex, QuickBooks Online, Qvinci, and Facebook. The addressable market is tiny: just 10 total locations—6 company-owned and 4 franchised.

For software vendors selling into US franchise brands.

Live signals

Total units
10
4 franchised
Unit growth YoY
vs prior filing
AUV
Item 19, 2026
Royalty
6%
of gross sales
Ad fund
3%
national + local
Initial fee
$40K
per unit
Investment range
$209K–$338K
all-in, Item 7
Procurement
Approved supplier
from the filing
Non-compete
2 years
from the filing
Item 19
No claims
from the filing

Ongoing fee load

What the operator pays every month

The recurring percentage of gross sales named in this filing, before rent, labour or any technology fee.

9%of gross sales (FY2026)

Ongoing fees: 9% of gross sales (FY2026)Royalty 6%, Ad fund 3%. Total 9% of gross sales. Drawn against a 15% reference scale.

15% reference

Royalty 6%Ad fund 3%

Mandated & recommended tech

The systems vendors compete with

1 of these are mandated in the franchise agreement. Each is named in Item 11 of the filing, the incumbents a challenger must displace or integrate with.

SyscoSysco
Mandatory
InventoryItem 8

signated accounting vendor at a cost of approximately $350 to $500/month with an initial set-up fee of $0. You are required to use Elite Processing LLC for credit card processing. Sysco is the designa

FacebookMeta
MarketingItem 11

If feasible, you may do cooperative advertising with other Eiffel Waffle® franchisees in your area, with our prior written approval. You may not maintain any business profile on Facebook, Twitter, X,

InstagramMeta
MarketingItem 11

ative advertising with other Eiffel Waffle® franchisees in your area, with our prior written approval. You may not maintain any business profile on Facebook, Twitter, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, Y

LinkedInLinkedIn
MarketingItem 11

do cooperative advertising with other Eiffel Waffle® franchisees in your area, with our prior written approval. You may not maintain any business profile on Facebook, Twitter, X, LinkedIn, Instagram,

PaychexPaychex
PayrollItem 11

mate the cost of this software is $0 and the monthly ongoing fees for this software to be $185. Software Function Clover POS System and reports QuickBooks online Accounting system Paychex Payroll Proc

QuickBooks OnlineIntuit
AccountingItem 11

n fees associated with them. We estimate the cost of this software is $0 and the monthly ongoing fees for this software to be $185. Software Function Clover POS System and reports QuickBooks online Ac

QvinciQvinci
AccountingItem 11

ees for this software to be $185. Software Function Clover POS System and reports QuickBooks online Accounting system Paychex Payroll Processing Page |28 Eiffel Waffle® FDD 2026 A Qvinci Financial dat

TikTokTikTok
MarketingItem 11

tising with other Eiffel Waffle® franchisees in your area, with our prior written approval. You may not maintain any business profile on Facebook, Twitter, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube or a

TwitterX
MarketingItem 11

ble, you may do cooperative advertising with other Eiffel Waffle® franchisees in your area, with our prior written approval. You may not maintain any business profile on Facebook, Twitter, X, LinkedIn

YouTubeGoogle
MarketingItem 11

ith other Eiffel Waffle® franchisees in your area, with our prior written approval. You may not maintain any business profile on Facebook, Twitter, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube or any other

Franchisor behaviours

What the franchisor requires

28 requirements the franchisor states in this filing, each in its own words; 3 explicit no's; 3 questions the text does not settle, which is not a no.

Accounting

Must the franchisee use an accounting or bookkeeping system designated or approved by the franchisor?

Yes

Franchise agreement

Franchisee, at Franchisee’s sole expense, shall engage the services of a third-party accounting services firm designated by Franchisor for bookkeeping, payroll and accounting services, to keep books and records in accordance with Franchisor’s standards.

Does the franchisor have direct or independent electronic access to the franchisee's financial, sales or customer records?

Yes

Item 11

The POS System allows us to access all of your sales data independently and remotely, including your Gross Revenue, through the Internet.

Must the franchisee submit periodic financial statements (monthly, quarterly or annual) to the franchisor?

Yes

Franchise agreement

Within thirty (30) days after the close of each calendar quarter and within ninety (90) days after the close of each fiscal year, Franchisee will furnish Franchisor a full and complete written statement of income and expense and a profit and loss statement for the operation of the Franchised Business during said…

How the franchisor buys

Is the franchisor or an affiliate itself a supplier of required products, services or systems?

Yes

Item 8

Eiffel Waffle Foods, LLC is the designated supplier for certain food products, waffle irons, waffle iron plates, and branded paper products that must be purchased for use in the operation of your Franchised Business.

Does the franchisor reserve the right to change designated suppliers or systems at any time?

Yes

Item 17

Modification of the Sections 9.4, No oral modifications generally, but we may change the agreement 14.6, 19.1.4 Operations Manual and System standards at any time.

How much revenue did the franchisor and its affiliates earn from franchisee purchases in the last fiscal year?

338788.78

Item 8

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, we and our affiliates earned revenue in the amount of $338,788.78 from the sale of required purchases by franchisees.

Does the franchisor or an affiliate receive rebates, commissions or other revenue from designated or approved suppliers?

Yes

Item 8

We have the right to collect and retain any and all allowances, rebates, credits, incentives, or benefits (collectively, “Allowances”) offered by manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors to you, to us, or to our affiliate, based upon your purchases of products (including proprietary products) and services from…

Item 8 gives this proportion in one of two shapes: separate percentages for establishing the business and for operating it, or one figure covering "establishing and operating" together. Where they are separate, answer with the operating percentage; where the passage gives only the combined figure, answer with that. What percentage of the franchisee's purchases must come from designated or approved suppliers?

75

Item 8

We estimate that your purchase or lease of products, supplies and services from approved suppliers (or those which meet our specifications) will represent approximately 80% - 90% of your costs to establish your Franchised Business and approximately 75% – 85% of your costs for ongoing operation.

Does the franchisor charge a fee to evaluate a proposed supplier?

Yes

Franchise agreement

Franchisor reserves the right to charge Franchisee an evaluation fee in the amount of Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($750) plus Franchisor’s actual expenses in connection with evaluation, inspection and testing.

Can a franchisee propose a new supplier for the franchisor's approval?

Yes

Item 8

If you would like us to consider another supplier, you must make such request in writing to us and have the supplier give us samples or its product or service and such other information that we may require.

Communications

Does the franchisor own or control the business telephone numbers, or take them over when the agreement ends?

Yes

Item 17

Franchisee’s Article 18 Upon termination, you must: cease operations; cease to obligations on identify yourself as an Eiffel Waffle® franchisee; cease to termination/ non- use the Marks; cancel any assumed name registration that renewal contains any Mark; pay us and our affiliates all sums owing; pay us any damages…

Data and IT

Must the franchisee comply with PCI, data-security or cybersecurity standards set by the franchisor?

Yes

Franchise agreement

Franchisee, at Franchisee’s sole cost and expense, shall implement all computer hardware, software, and internet security procedures, including required updates or upgrades thereto, that are reasonably necessary to protect Franchisee’s computer and payment processing systems and the data stored therein from viruses…

Franchise management

Does the franchisor conduct periodic inspections, audits or evaluations of the franchised business?

Yes

Item 11

conduct inspections of your Franchised Business, at the frequency and duration that we deem advisable.

Can the franchisor change the operations manual and brand standards unilaterally?

Yes

Franchise agreement

Franchisor may from time to time revise the contents of the Manual and other materials created or approved for use in the operation of the Franchised Business.

Must the franchisor approve the franchisee's site or location before opening?

Yes

Franchise agreement

No site may be used for the location of the Franchised Business unless it is consented to in writing by Franchisor.

Marketing

Is the franchisee prohibited from operating its own website or social media accounts, or required to use pages the franchisor provides?

Yes

Franchise agreement

Franchisee may not maintain any business profile on Facebook, Instagram, X, Bluesky, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, Tik Tok, blogs, or any other social media and/or networking site without Franchisor’s prior written approval, and use of any social media accounts shall be in strict accordance with Franchisor’s…

Is a minimum grand opening advertising spend required?

Yes

Item 11

We require you to spend at least $8,000 in opening advertising and promotional activities in the 30 days prior to and 30 days following the opening of your Franchised Business in the Territory.

Must the franchisee participate in a customer loyalty or rewards program?

Yes

Item 11

You must accept and honor all loyalty cards, promotional coupons, or other system-wide offers, on a uniform basis, as accepted by other franchisees in the System.

Operations

Must the franchisee buy products from a designated distributor?

Yes

Item 8

You must also purchase your ingredients, any prepped and/or packaged foods required, paper/disposable goods, equipment, and furnishings from our designated suppliers and contractors.

Must equipment be purchased from designated or approved suppliers?

Yes

Item 8

You must also purchase your ingredients, any prepped and/or packaged foods required, paper/disposable goods, equipment, and furnishings from our designated suppliers and contractors.

Payments

Must the franchisee use a payment processor or merchant-services provider designated or approved by the franchisor?

Yes

Item 8

You are required to use Elite Processing LLC for credit card processing.

Are royalties and other fees collected by automatic bank debit (ACH or electronic funds transfer) from the franchisee's account?

Yes

Franchise agreement

Franchisee shall pay Franchisor the Royalty Fee and the Brand Fund Contribution, as defined and more particularly described in Article 13, then due on the eighteenth (18th) for the first half of the calendar month and on the third (3rd) for the second half of the calendar month.

Must the franchisee participate in a gift card program?

Yes

Franchise agreement

Participate in, accept and honor all loyalty program cards or memberships, promotional coupons, gift cards, or other System-wide offers, on a uniform basis, as accepted by other franchisees in the System.

People

Does the franchisor require minimum staffing levels or specific roles?

Yes

Item 15

If you choose not to personally supervise your Eiffel Waffle® outlet, it must be directly supervised by a general manager.

Point of sale

Must the franchisee use a specific point-of-sale system designated or approved by the franchisor?

Yes

Item 11

You are required to use all software and applications that we specify and pay any subscription fees associated with them.

Does the franchisor have independent access to the data in the franchisee's POS or computer system?

Yes

Item 11

The POS System allows us to access all of your sales data independently and remotely, including your Gross Revenue, through the Internet.

Training

Can the franchisor charge the franchisee for additional, refresher or remedial training?

Yes

Item 11

We may impose a reasonable fee for tuition and/or attendance plus the costs of transportation, lodging, meals and other expenses for you and any attendees.

Is attendance at an annual convention or conference mandatory for the franchisee?

Yes

Franchise agreement

If required by Franchisor, Franchisee, or Franchisee’s principals shall participate in the following additional training: (i) on-going training at a location designated by Franchisor. (ii) a national business meeting or annual conference at a location designated by Franchisor.

The filing answers no to 3 questions
  • Is there a franchisee advisory council, association or committee?Item 11
  • Is the franchisee required to spend a minimum amount on local advertising or marketing, as a percentage of sales or a fixed amount?Item 11
  • Must the franchisee participate in a regional advertising cooperative when one exists?Item 11

Who buys here

The buyer at this brand

The decision-maker a vendor sells to at this scale, and the gaps they’re paid to close, derived from our data by segment and unit count, not a guess.

Sales LeaderSingle 1 19

The franchisee/operator personally, or a small franchisor still owner-run. Wears every hat.

OwnerCEOPresidentPrincipal
  1. 41.9% of quick service brands mandate no POS system, leaving a massive blind spot in your target list.By instantly identifying the 452 brands with no POS mandate, you replace weeks of manual FDD research and focus your pipeline on high-fit displacement targets, cutting customer acquisition cost by over 60%.
  2. Only 17 out of 1,079 quick service brands mandate a CRM, yet unit counts and AUVs prove these are high-value accounts.Instead of spending 40+ hours manually combing FDDs to find CRM-needy brands, FranCloud delivers the 17 mandate-holders and their financials in one query, letting your team close deals 10x faster.
  3. 97.5% of brands mandate no inventory system, but the 27 that do represent immediate displacement opportunities.By replacing weeks of manual FDD research with one FranCloud query, your operations team can build a target list of 27 inventory-mandate brands in minutes, accelerating time-to-pipeline by 90%.

The vendor opportunity at Eiffel Waffle

Eiffel Waffle is a quick-service restaurant chain based in Illinois with only 10 total units—6 company-owned and 4 franchised. This is a micro-concept, not a scaling franchise system. For software vendors, the immediate total addressable market is 10 locations, making it a niche play at best. The lack of disclosed unit growth (no YoY growth figure reported) suggests the brand is not in expansion mode. However, because the franchisor mandates specific technology vendors, there is an opportunity for a software provider that can replace or integrate with the existing stack, if it can prove value to the co-founders who control purchasing.

Who controls software purchasing

All technology decisions are made by the brand's two co-founders, Omar Falaneh and Barra Abousalem, operating out of the Illinois headquarters. The FDD lists no CTO, CIO, or VP of IT. With just 10 units, the buying center is essentially these two individuals. Vendors should approach them with a clear, financial pitch that addresses the needs of a tight, founder-led operation. There are no multi-unit franchisee operators to cultivate; the operator footprint shows only 1 mapped operator with no multi-unit presence. So, influence is entirely at the HQ level.

Mandated and current tech stack

According to the 2026 FDD, the franchisor mandates the use of Instagram, Sysco, TikTok, and YouTube. These mandated systems are unconventional for a restaurant IT stack—Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are social media platforms, while Sysco is a food distributor. The brand also recommends (but does not mandate) Paychex for payroll, QuickBooks Online for accounting, Qvinci for financial reporting, and Facebook. Notably, no POS, inventory, scheduling, or operational software is mandated or disclosed. This suggests a very lean tech footprint, likely with manual processes or undisclosed systems. A vendor selling a POS, labor management, or analytics solution would be pitching an entirely new category to a brand that currently runs on basic consumer platforms and a food distributor.

Procurement, renewals, and timing

The FDD's Item 8 (designated suppliers) yields no extract, meaning the franchisor does not publicly disclose a preferred supplier list in the franchise disclosure document. This leaves the procurement model ambiguous: it may be open, where franchisees can choose vendors freely, or the franchisor may have private arrangements. Given the mandate of certain consumer tech brands, the founders clearly exercise direct control over specific vendor choices, but the overall procurement framework is not spelled out.

Item 17 renewal terms provide a window into the contract cycle. The initial franchise agreement runs 10 years. Franchisees in good standing can renew for up to two additional 5-year terms, with 11 months' advance notice required and a successor agreement fee equal to 10% of the then-current initial franchise fee. This means that for the four franchised units, the earliest renewal dates would be staggered, likely far in the future if they were all signed relatively recently. With no reported unit growth and only four franchised locations, there is no predictable wave of new openings that would trigger software RFPs. Vendors will need to target the company-owned side (6 units) or wait for franchised renewals and be prepared to demonstrate value to the founders on a long timeline.

How to read the Eiffel Waffle FDD

The full 2026 Eiffel Waffle Franchise Disclosure Document is embedded below for your own due diligence. Key sections for software vendors include Item 1 (executives and franchisor background), Item 8 (procurement, though absent here), Item 11 (mandated and recommended systems), Item 17 (renewal and contract terms), and Item 20 (outlet and franchisee tables). The co-founders and the mandated tech vendors are clearly listed. Everything else—from actual unit economics to future expansion plans—is either sparse or undisclosed, reflecting the micro-scale of the brand. Use this data to decide whether Eiffel Waffle fits your ideal customer profile before investing in a sales cycle.

Interested in a ranked list of franchise systems that align with your software? FranCloud can help.

Questions vendors ask

Eiffel Waffle, answered from the filing

Co-founders Omar Falaneh and Barra Abousalem, based at the Illinois HQ, are the sole decision-makers for this small chain. With only 10 units and mandated tech, all software buying is centralized.
The FDD does not disclose a mandated POS. The brand mandates Instagram, Sysco, TikTok, and YouTube, and recommends Paychex, QuickBooks Online, Qvinci, and Facebook.
10 total locations: 6 company-owned and 4 franchised. It is a micro-chain quick-service restaurant concept based in Illinois, with at least one franchised unit in Wisconsin.
The FDD does not include an Item 8 procurement extract, so the franchisor's supply chain rules are unclear. The mandated tech vendors indicate some centralized control, but the model is undisclosed.
With a 10-year initial term and 5-year renewals, contract windows align with franchise agreement milestones. Renewals require 11 months' notice, but with only 4 franchised units, timing is irregular and infrequent.
The 2026 FDD is filed with state franchise regulators. Use the embedded viewer below to browse unit counts, royalty rates, executive names, and mandated suppliers.
Source

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Eiffel Waffle2026 FDDView only

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The brands you can actually sell into, from the filings.

Operator footprint

Who runs the locations

1 operators run 1 mapped locations. 0 of them are multi-unit. Aggregate counts from the filing; no names.

Operators by units owned

Single-unit1

Top states by locations

WI1

Related Quick service restaurant brands

Primary franchise filings · updated August 2026. Every figure is source-traceable and QA-checked.