More Resources
More in Franchising:Franchises Food Family Restaurants

Denny's Inc.

Full-service family restaurant

Background

Founded: 1953 Franchising since: 1984
In 1953, Harold Butler opened Danny's Donuts in Lakewood, California. Six years later, there were 20 shops in the chain and the company changed its name to Denny's. In 1966, the company went public, and in 1977, they introduced the Gland Slam breakfast. Today, Denny's locations serve breakfast, lunch and dinner choices 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Its corporate headquarters is in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and there are over 1,500 Denny's throughout North America.
203 E. Main St.
Spartanburg, South carolina 29319
Phone:
(800)304-0222

Franchisee Association
Denny's Franchisee Association

Franchisor is a publicly-held company with 350 employee(s); 12 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth
Year U.S. Franchises Canadian Franchises Foreign Franchises Company Owned
2009 1205 49 27 263
2008 1,115 49 27 353
2007 975 50 26 487
2006 947 52 25 538
2005 966 49 25 547

Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North carolina, North dakota, New hampshire, New jersey, New mexico, Nevada, New york, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode island, South carolina, South dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West virginia, Wyoming
Outside the U.S.: Canada, Mexico

Exclusive territories available.

Costs and Fees

Total investment: $1.2M-2.6M
Franchise fee: $40K
Ongoing royalty fee: 4%
Term of agreement: 20 years, not renewable


Type of Financing Available
In-House Third Party
Franchise Fee No No
Startup Costs No No
Equipment No No
Inventory No No
Accounts Receivable No No
Payroll No No

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $1M
Cash liquidity requirement: $350K
Business Experience:
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Operations experience

Operations
  • 88% of all franchisees own more than one unit
  • Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 80
  • Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed.

Training and Support

Training
  • At franchisee's location: 19 days
  • At existing Denny's restaurants : Up to 10 weeks

Ongoing Support
  • Newsletter
  • Meetings
  • Security/safety procedures
  • Field operations/evaluations

Marketing Support
  • Co-op advertising
  • Ad slicks
  • National media
  • Regional advertising

Rankings

Franchise 500® rank:
#25 (2009); #47 (2008); #45 (2007); #61 (2006); #54 (2005);

Ranked #1 in category in:
2009; 2008; 2007; 2006; 2005;

Fastest-Growing Franchises:
#24 (2009);

America's Top Global Franchises:
#24 (2009); #52 (2008); #44 (2007); #52 (2005);


Related Franchises

Franchises, get reprints of your rankings »



Marketplace

Learn how to distribute a press release

Try our new online printing. theupsstore.com/print
Franchise Search
Franchise Features
Franchise Buying Guide
We've got all the information you need to research, buy and run a franchise successfully.

Slideshow: Top 10 Franchises for 2009 Slideshow: Franchise 500 at 30: A Look Back
This week's featured opportunity
Regis Cost Cutters
Join one of the strongest growing salon brands, supported by the world's largest hair-care company.
Shopping for a franchise or business opportunity?
Explore hundreds of businesses for sale: