Fast-casual Mediterranean chain Rōti Modern Mediterranean is waiving royalty fees entirely for a new franchise unit's first year of operation — and cutting them to 2% in year two — for franchisees who open on or ahead of their development schedule. The program, available to qualifying new and existing partners who sign agreements through December 31, 2026, is designed to ease the financial pressure during what parent company Edible Brands calls the most critical window for any new operator.
The Program Details
The incentive applies to each qualifying restaurant opened, giving multi-unit operators the opportunity to stack savings across an entire development pipeline. Standard fast-casual royalty rates typically run in the 4–6% range, making a zero-royalty first year a meaningful cost reduction for franchisees navigating early-stage labor, food, and buildout expenses. The program is structured to reward speed on real estate and construction timelines, creating a direct financial incentive for operators who execute quickly.
"We know the first two years are the most critical for any new franchisee, and we wanted to build an incentive that puts real dollars back into their business right when they need it most," said Matthew Walls, president and chief stores officer at Edible Brands. Sara Berthen, vice president of global franchise development at Edible Brands, added that the goal is to give owners more resources to invest in their teams, guests, and long-term growth.
Rōti's Broader Growth Play
Founded in Chicago in 2006 and acquired by Edible Brands in 2025, Rōti has built its identity around customizable bowls, salads, wraps, and handhelds rooted in Mediterranean flavors. The brand operates a flexible footprint that includes traditional restaurants, digital ordering, delivery-first kitchens, and catering — a model that has become increasingly attractive to multi-unit franchisees looking for multiple revenue streams within a single brand agreement. Edible Brands' broader portfolio includes Edible Arrangements and edibles.com, with Rōti positioned as the company's primary vehicle for foodservice expansion.
The timing reflects rising operator interest in the Mediterranean fast-casual segment, which Rōti pegs at $85 billion. The category has drawn sustained attention from both independent operators and franchise groups as consumers continue to shift toward globally-inspired, ingredient-forward concepts. For operators evaluating new fast-casual franchise opportunities, the royalty waiver structure offers a concrete financial argument for moving early in Rōti's development cycle.
Prospective franchisees can review investment requirements and territory availability at franchise.roti.com. For broader context on franchise incentive trends and their impact on restaurant development strategies, this program reflects a growing industry pattern of brands front-loading operator support to compress the timeline from signed agreement to profitable unit.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
