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Denny's Inc.

2012 Franchise 500
#7
At a Glance

Products & Services: Full-service family restaurant

Number of Locations: 1,667

Total Investment: $1.13M - 2.4M

Founded: 1953

Began Franchising: 1963

Public Owned DENN

About Denny's Inc.

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.

Franchise Units

Year U.S. Canadian International Company Owned
2011 1,358 58 31 220
2010 1,296 50 28 227
2009 1,205 49 27 263
2008 1,115 49 27 353
Where Seeking Franchisees: Franchisor is seeking new franchise units in the U.S.,Asia, Canada, Middle East, Mexico, South America.

Startup Costs, Ongoing Fees and Financing

Total Investment: $1,125,505 - $2,396,115
Franchise Fee: $40,000
Ongoing Royalty Fee: 4%
Term of Franchise Agreement: 20 years
Financial Requirements
Net Worth: $1,000,000
Liquid Cash Available: $350,000
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..

How This Franchise Supports Franchisees

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,

Franchise Ranking History

Franchise 500®: #7 (2012), #10 (2011), #17 (2010), #25 (2009), #47 (2008),
Fastest-Growing: #27 (2012), #28 (2011), #28 (2010), #24 (2009),
America's Top Global: #6 (2012), #8 (2011), #13 (2010), #24 (2009), #52 (2008),