Apple PayApple
filiates, or designated Approved Suppliers. We require you to accept major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover) and other major payment methods (such as Apple Pay and Google
From the filings
HQ-led decisions
Moe's Southwest Grill
Quick service restaurantSoftware purchasing at Moe's Southwest Grill runs through the franchisor and its GoTo Foods affiliate structure, which designates the POS vendor and requires P2PE payment-processing solutions from designated Approved Suppliers. The 2026 FDD covers 568 units, 563 of them franchised, with a 2025 Item 19 average of $1,182,975 for the reporting cohort.
For software vendors selling into US franchise brands.
Live signals
Total units
568
563 franchised
Unit growth YoY
-4.738%
vs prior filing
AUV
$1.75M
Item 19, 2026
Royalty
5%
of gross sales
Ad fund
3%
national + local
Initial fee
$36K
per unit
Investment range
$904K–$2.54M
all-in, Item 7
Procurement
Franchisor controlled
from the filing
Item 19
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.
8%of gross sales (FY2026)
15% reference
Mandated & recommended tech
The systems vendors compete with
Systems named in Item 11 of this filing. None is recorded as mandated here, which is not the same as the filing mandating nothing. Read Item 11 before treating the category as open.
DoorDashDoorDash
ding delivery fees and other service charges, that are paid to you by a customer or by a third-party delivery or catering service (e.g., Uber Eats, Postmates, Grubhub, ezCater, or DoorDash) (a “TPS”)
ezCaterezCater
fees, including delivery fees and other service charges, that are paid to you by a customer or by a third-party delivery or catering service (e.g., Uber Eats, Postmates, Grubhub, ezCater, or DoorDash)
FacebookMeta
photographs, give-away items, and gift cards. Digital Marketing. We or our affiliates, in our sole discretion, may establish and operate websites, social media accounts ((such as Facebook, X, Instagra
Google PayGoogle
esignated Approved Suppliers. We require you to accept major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover) and other major payment methods (such as Apple Pay and Google Pay) for cust
GrubhubGrubhub
harges or fees, including delivery fees and other service charges, that are paid to you by a customer or by a third-party delivery or catering service (e.g., Uber Eats, Postmates, Grubhub, ezCater, or
InstagramMeta
give-away items, and gift cards. Digital Marketing. We or our affiliates, in our sole discretion, may establish and operate websites, social media accounts ((such as Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest,
PinterestPinterest
items, and gift cards. Digital Marketing. We or our affiliates, in our sole discretion, may establish and operate websites, social media accounts ((such as Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat,
PostmatesUber
ancillary charges or fees, including delivery fees and other service charges, that are paid to you by a customer or by a third-party delivery or catering service (e.g., Uber Eats, Postmates, Grubhub,
SnapchatSnapchat
gift cards. Digital Marketing. We or our affiliates, in our sole discretion, may establish and operate websites, social media accounts ((such as Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, YouTube, T
TikTokTikTok
Marketing. We or our affiliates, in our sole discretion, may establish and operate websites, social media accounts ((such as Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, YouTube, TikTok, etc.), applic
Uber EatsUber
all ancillary charges or fees, including delivery fees and other service charges, that are paid to you by a customer or by a third-party delivery or catering service (e.g., Uber Eats, Postmates, Grubh
YouTubeGoogle
. Digital Marketing. We or our affiliates, in our sole discretion, may establish and operate websites, social media accounts ((such as Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, YouTube, TikTok, etc
Franchisor behaviours
What the franchisor requires
30 requirements the franchisor states in this filing, each in its own words; 1 explicit no; 3 questions the text does not settle, which is not a no.
Accounting
Does the franchisor have direct or independent electronic access to the franchisee's financial, sales or customer records?
YesFranchise agreement
In addition, we and our affiliates, through the Computer System or otherwise, have the right to independently access the Customer Information.
Must the franchisee submit periodic financial statements (monthly, quarterly or annual) to the franchisor?
YesFranchise agreement
On or before February 1st of each year (or such other date specified by us in the Manuals or otherwise in writing, which may be by email or other electronic communications), you must furnish to us a statement of the profit and loss of the Franchised Moe’s Franchise Agreement 03 27 26 v1 34 1621371022.2 Business for…
How the franchisor buys
Is there a franchisee advisory council, association or committee?
YesItem 11
We do not have an advertising council composed of franchisees that is involved in decision making on advertising issues, but we do have a marketing subcommittee of our Franchise Advisory Council (“FAC”) that is comprised of franchisees that provides us suggestions on advertising issues.
Does the franchisor reserve the right to change designated suppliers or systems at any time?
YesItem 8
We may add or change Approved Suppliers at any time.
Does the franchisor or an affiliate receive rebates, commissions or other revenue from designated or approved suppliers?
YesItem 8
During the fiscal year ended December 28, 2025 (Fiscal Year 2025”) we received payments totaling $7,614,410 from Approved Suppliers.
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?
90Item 8
Currently, we estimate that your purchases from Approved Suppliers and otherwise under our Standards will be about 85% of the total purchases and lease of products and services needed to establish the Restaurant and about 90% of the total purchases and leases of products and services needed to operate a Restaurant.
Does the franchisor charge a fee to evaluate a proposed supplier?
YesItem 8
You must pay us a charge not to exceed the reasonable cost of the inspection and our actual cost of testing the proposed Goods or evaluating the proposed Supplier, including personnel and travel costs, whether or not the Goods or Supplier is approved.
Can a franchisee propose a new supplier for the franchisor's approval?
YesItem 8
If you would like to offer products or use any Goods that we have not approved or to purchase or lease from a Supplier that we have not approved, you must submit a written request for approval and provide us with any information that we request.
Communications
Does the franchisor own or control the business telephone numbers, or take them over when the agreement ends?
YesFranchise agreement
Immediately take all action required (i) to cancel all assumed name or equivalent registrations relating to your use of the Marks and (ii) to cancel or transfer to us or our designee all authorized and unauthorized domain names, social media accounts, telephone numbers, post office boxes, and classified and other…
Data and IT
Must the franchisee comply with PCI, data-security or cybersecurity standards set by the franchisor?
YesItem 1
You must ensure that your computerized point-of-sale system (the “POS System”) or your credit card processing terminals (whichever are responsible for processing credit card transactions) are in compliance with the most current Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (“PCI-DSS”).
Franchise management
Must the franchisee participate in a customer-satisfaction or net-promoter survey program?
YesFranchise agreement
We also may require you to participate in customer satisfaction surveys or other audit programs, including electronically through the use of telecommunications devices or otherwise, to assess your compliance with our customer service standards.
Does the franchisor conduct periodic inspections, audits or evaluations of the franchised business?
YesFranchise agreement
RECORDS; REPORTING 14.1 Inspections and Audits.
Can the franchisor change the operations manual and brand standards unilaterally?
YesFranchise agreement
We may make additions to, deletions from, and modifications to the Manuals (“Supplements”), Standards, or System from time to time in any form or fashion
Must the franchisor approve the franchisee's site or location before opening?
YesItem 12
Your Restaurant may only be operated at the Accepted Location.
Marketing
Is the franchisee prohibited from operating its own website or social media accounts, or required to use pages the franchisor provides?
YesItem 11
Unless we consent otherwise in writing, you may not, directly or indirectly, conduct or be involved in any Digital Marketing that use the Proprietary Marks or that relate to the Restaurant.
Is a minimum grand opening advertising spend required?
YesItem 11
You must spend the Grand Opening Obligation (at least $25,000 and at least $35,000 if your Restaurant is the first to open in a Designated Market Area) in grand opening advertising promoting the opening of your Restaurant during the period beginning 90 days before (including advanced purchases during that period) you…
Is the franchisee required to spend a minimum amount on local advertising or marketing, as a percentage of sales or a fixed amount?
YesItem 11
Currently, to satisfy your Local Marketing Obligation, each calendar quarter, you must spend on local market advertising at least 1% the Net Sales of your Restaurant.
Must the franchisee participate in a customer loyalty or rewards program?
YesItem 16
You must participate in the Gift Card and Loyalty Programs that we establish, and you must have available for sale to customers a sufficient number of gift cards to meet the demands of your Restaurant.
Must the franchisee participate in a regional advertising cooperative when one exists?
YesItem 11
You are required to participate in any local, regional, or national cooperative advertising group consisting of other Restaurants (an “Advertising Cooperative”) that we specify.
Operations
Must the franchisee buy products from a designated distributor?
YesFranchise agreement
You must purchase all of your requirements of Proprietary Ingredients, Proprietary Products, and proprietary uniforms, signs, menu boards, smallwares, materials, supplies, paper goods, equipment, and packaging (collectively, the “Proprietary Goods”) from us, our affiliates, or our designated Approved Suppliers.
Must equipment be purchased from designated or approved suppliers?
YesItem 8
You must purchase all of your requirements of Proprietary Ingredients, Proprietary Products, and proprietary uniforms, signs, menu boards, smallwares, materials, supplies, paper goods, equipment, and packaging (collectively, the “Proprietary Goods”) from us, our affiliates, or our designated Approved Suppliers.
Payments
Must the franchisee use a payment processor or merchant-services provider designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesItem 8
We also require you to use designated Approved Suppliers for point-to-point encryption (“P2PE”) solutions (hardware and software) that are used in cooperation with your POS System to provide secure and compliant payment processing services.
Are royalties and other fees collected by automatic bank debit (ACH or electronic funds transfer) from the franchisee's account?
YesItem 6
We reserve the right to collect all fees due to us under the Franchise Agreement through EFT.
Must the franchisee participate in a gift card program?
YesItem 16
You must participate in the Gift Card and Loyalty Programs that we establish, and you must have available for sale to customers a sufficient number of gift cards to meet the demands of your Restaurant.
People
Does the franchisor require minimum staffing levels or specific roles?
YesFranchise agreement
Your Franchised Business must employ at least two Managers who have successfully completed the Management Training Program and are dedicated to the Franchised Business.
Must employees wear uniforms specified by the franchisor?
YesItem 8
You must purchase all of your requirements of Proprietary Ingredients, Proprietary Products, and proprietary uniforms, signs, menu boards, smallwares, materials, supplies, paper goods, equipment, and packaging (collectively, the “Proprietary Goods”) from us, our affiliates, or our designated Approved Suppliers.
Point of sale
Must the franchisee use a specific point-of-sale system designated or approved by the franchisor?
YesItem 11
To maintain a consistent reporting system, you must purchase or lease and use a POS System specified by us from a designated Approved Supplier.
Does the franchisor have independent access to the data in the franchisee's POS or computer system?
YesItem 11
We will have electronic and manual access to certain information within the POS System and there are no contractual limitations on our right to access this information.
Training
Can the franchisor charge the franchisee for additional, refresher or remedial training?
YesItem 11
We may charge a reasonable fee (which we expect typically to range from $0 to $2,500) for these additional programs to cover our costs of providing them.
Is attendance at an annual convention or conference mandatory for the franchisee?
YesFranchise agreement
Your Required Trainees, Primary Contact, Owners, and other personnel we designate must attend any Additional Programs that we require.
The filing answers no to 1 question
- Is the franchisor or an affiliate itself a supplier of required products, services or systems?Item 8
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.
HQ committee: CEO/President + VP Ops + IT/CIO + Franchise + procurement involved.
VP SalesHead of SalesCROSales Director
- 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%.
- 82.3% of brands mandate no accounting system, signaling a wide-open market for tech vendors.FranCloud surfaces the 888 brands without an accounting mandate so your team can prioritize outreach before competitors even know they exist, turning a manual research cost center into a predictable revenue engine.
- 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.
The vendor opportunity at Moe's Southwest Grill Moe's Southwest Grill operates 568 units nationwide (563 franchised, 5 company-owned) inside GoTo Foods, the strategic multi-brand platform that also owns Cinnabon, McAlister's Deli, Auntie Anne's, Jamba, Carvel, and Schlotzsky's. The 2026 FDD's Item 19 reports a $1,182,975 average for the cohort of Traditional Franchises that reported sales across all 52 weeks of fiscal 2025, with the top quartile averaging $1,753,026, and franchised outlets fell 4.738% year over year -- a signal that vendor conversations are as much about retention tooling as growth.
Who controls software purchasing Technology decisions route through the franchisor and its affiliate structure: Moe's Franchisor LLC (MFL) and GoTo Foods Systems both collected Approved Supplier payments in fiscal 2025 -- the franchisor itself received $7,614,410 from Approved Suppliers, MFL took in $1,839,546, deposited to the system Ad Fund, plus $776,875 from franchisees for POS System support fees, while GoTo Foods Systems collected $1,956,223 from Approved Suppliers across the wider GoTo Foods portfolio. Brett Ubl is Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary; Michael Smith is Chief Brand Officer. With 235 mapped operators (40 multi-unit) across roughly 479 located units, most purchasing still funnels up to this HQ layer rather than sitting with individual operators.
Tech named in the FDD, and what is actually required The FDD requires franchisees to obtain a POS System from Moe's designated vendor and to use designated Approved Suppliers for P2PE payment-processing solutions tied to that POS. Franchisees are also required to purchase a dedicated iPad or Windows tablet that meets the specifications for the Learning Management System, and may be required to pay the System's annual licence fee, currently $210 per year for each restaurant. On the payment side, the filing requires accepting major credit cards -- Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover -- and other major payment methods such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, and requires participation in the Gift Card, Loyalty, and in-shop mobile and online ordering programs. Moe's keeps the sole right to control Digital Marketing -- websites, social media accounts such as Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest, apps and adword programs -- and franchisees may not conduct Digital Marketing using the Proprietary Marks without its written consent.
Procurement, renewals, and timing Item 8 runs a designated-suppliers-only model: Proprietary Ingredients, Proprietary Products, and proprietary uniforms, signage, menu boards, and packaging must come from the franchisor, its affiliates, or designated Approved Suppliers, though franchisees may propose an alternative supplier for approval. Item 17 sets a 20-year franchise term with one 20-year renewal term, conditioned on a timely renewal request, substantial compliance, remodelling the Restaurant, the Renewal Fee and a general release. Set against the 4.738% year-over-year drop in franchised outlets, the near-term opening looks more like winning incumbent-replacement deals inside the existing 568-unit base than chasing new-unit growth.
How to read the Moe's Southwest Grill FDD The embedded PDF viewer below is Moe's Southwest Grill's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. Talk to FranCloud for a ranked target list of franchise systems where the buying center and technology mandates are already mapped out.
Questions vendors ask
Moe's Southwest Grill, answered from the filing
Purchasing routes through the franchisor and its GoTo Foods affiliates: in fiscal 2025 Moe's Franchisor LLC and GoTo Foods Systems both collected Approved Supplier payments, and the franchisor requires the POS System to come from its designated vendor. Brett Ubl is Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary; Michael Smith is Chief Brand Officer.
The FDD requires a POS System from a franchisor-designated vendor, P2PE solutions from designated Approved Suppliers, and a dedicated iPad or Windows tablet to run the Learning Management System, whose annual licence fee is currently $210 per restaurant. Restaurants must accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover, plus other major payment methods.
568 total units in the quick-service restaurant segment: 563 franchised and 5 company-owned, run by a network of 235 mapped operators, 40 of them multi-unit.
Moe's runs a designated-suppliers-only model: franchisees must buy Proprietary Ingredients, Proprietary Products, and proprietary uniforms, signage, and packaging from the franchisor, its affiliates, or designated Approved Suppliers, with room to propose an alternate supplier for approval.
Item 17 sets a 20-year franchise term with one 20-year renewal term if renewal requirements are met. Franchised outlets fell 4.738% year over year, which points to incumbent-vendor displacement inside the existing 568-unit base as the more likely near-term opening than new-unit growth.
The embedded PDF viewer below holds Moe's Southwest Grill's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document in full. Read Items 8, 11, 17, and 19 for the procurement, technology, renewal, and financial-performance detail referenced above.
Source
Read the filing itself
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FDD alert
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Operator footprint
Who runs the locations
235 operators run 479 mapped locations. 40 of them are multi-unit. Aggregate counts from the filing; no names.
Operators by units owned
Single-unit195
2–9 units34
10–24 units3
25+ units3
Top states by locations
| WA | 2 |
|---|
Ownership
The portfolio behind Moe's Southwest Grill
strategic_multibrand of GoTo Foods.
Sibling brands
Related Quick service restaurant brands
Primary franchise filings · updated September 2026. Every figure is source-traceable and QA-checked.