Wayback Burgers Jakes Wayback Burgers Jakes Hamburgers Jakes Jakes Hamburgers Wayback sets up franchisees for failure Cheshire Connecticut

Avoid these guys at all costs!  The concept is trash, the brand is going through an identity crisis, they arent growing because stores close after a few months, most stores are losing money, and stores have zero control over social media marketing.

First and foremost, I was livid to learn within a month of opening that Wayback had an entirely new store design, website, logo, and color scheme.  Not once was this brought up during the 2 years in discussion with them.  If so, I would've waited for the new design!!  My store was outdated within a month of opening!!!  Fraud? 

Need financing? No worries they can help with that.  Scott M at Wayback will even tell you the numbers to input onto your projections to get approved by the bank.  Highly illegal.  Good luck proving this though, because you have to sign paperwork saying the opposite to be awarded a franchise ;)

Next they ship you off to get ripped off by Mario M.  He is their 3rd party leasing broker.  According to him and Ron G (Wayback real estate Director) we were in a "B" location.  How many "B" locations close in 6 months though??  Within 4 months of opening, an anchor and the largest restaurant next to me closed (30000+ vacant sf).  Of course, the lease did not include a co-tenancy clause which Mario M should have negotiated into Lease.  The one good thing he did do was negotiate a one year rolling gaurantee that limited our liability.  However, in hindsight, these guys new exactly what they were doing, and they worked with property management to secure us into long lease in a poor location with minimal protections.  At best, this location was a "D", a far cry from a "B".

Once you have your lease signed, you work with Sarah D in construction.  She is sweet.  Unfortunatley, they are overloaded and she doesnt have construction background.  I didnt get my sign installed on my building until the day prior to soft opening!  It was an endless back and forth of blame between vendor and Wayback.  Do not expect any support from Wayback during construction.  They will not help at all, because they dont have anyone to do so.  My store was in construction phase for over 8 months.

Getting a trainer out to open the store was another interesting experience.  Mark B was the trainer at my store (and owns a location) but he was no longer working for Wayback within 2 months of my opening.  You have to pay for 2 weeks of training for 25 employees, which is waaaay to much to spend on this concept.  Ridiculous amount of labor forced upon you with zero revenue to pay for it.  I liked Mark B, but I knew I was in trouble by the stories he told me.  Still, I was in this far, no turning back now.

Zero financial support or guidance.  Huge red flag.

Once I opened, my only contact with Wayback Corp is a "coordinator."  They do everything from handling complaints, order issues, to marketing support.  The problem is my coordinator, the same for all new stores, Arrie B, was horrendous!!  She probably was overloaded, but that isnt the franchisees fault!  It was a challenge getting things completed through her. Their favorite promotionaly ideas were BOGO (Buy One Get One Free) but that didnt do much for the bottom line! Furthermore, when I told her that we would be lucky to make it another 3 months, she never even told upper management!  Horrible at her job.

When I notified Wayback Corp the store would be closing immediately, they were in a rush to "help" and said they were surprised to learn I was struggling.  BS!!  Per the founder John Eucalitto, in conversation with him, he said any store doing less than $10k/week is in trouble.  We didnt have sales levels like that for months.  So, according to their President they knew we were struggling but chose not to do anything.  They did offer a turn around plan comprised of some Facebook posts, and thats it.  Their Facebook post offer was declined.  John E did not like this and said he "sensed I was not committed" then told me he was referring this to their "lawyers."

Within a couple days of declining their stupid offer, I received a letter from an online attorney hired by Wayback.  This is how cheap and low class they are, they dont even have retained counsel.  They pay per letter.  They threatened to sue for 20 years of royalties! LOL.  They never did move forward with anything.  It was just a threat to get me to stay open for a little while longer so they can milk their 7% every week.

The location closed nearly a year ago.  However, that certainly wont stop Wayback from adverstising it on their website as "coming soon".

It truly is unfortunate their concept is so bad, their food is very good.

AVOID WAYBACK BURGERS!!!

Good riddance.