Wienerschnitzel, a national hotdog chain restaurant, wants to open in Bend, but needs a franchisee to step forward.

With 340 franchise locations nationwide, the company believes that Bend is the right town for the fast food chain, along with Vancouver/Portland, Southern Oregon and Eugene.

A franchise recently opened in Boise, Idaho, and did very well, said Ted Milburn, Wienerschnitzel director of U.S. development. A deal was recently inked with a husband and wife franchisee to open three locations in Oregon this fall, said Milburn. The locations being considered are Klamath Falls, Medford and Grants Pass, he said.

“These are local owners,” Milburn said. “We put a lot of focus into filling the gap in the Pacific Northwest. I’ve put time in marketing to create attention for a package deal for stores in Portland/Vancouver, Southern and Central Oregon and Eugene.”

The chain had a store in Portland, but it closed more than 20 years ago. Now there are none in Oregon, according to the company’s website. Franchise fees run anywhere from $16,000 to $32,000 and require an investment of up to $1.9 million.

Franchisees also get access to Tastee Freez, a soft-serve dessert when they opt for either new construction, conversion of an existing store, or end cap of a strip mall. The right location should be anywhere from 850 square feet to 1,800 square feet. A drive-thru area is important, as only six of the 340 store chain have them.

Bend, with all it’s food hubs, lots and pods is definitely a food-lovers’ haven, said Damon Runberg, Business Oregon economist. Companies like Wienerschnitzel look for communities of a certain size, the percentage of families and age of the population, he said.

“When Bend topped 100,000 people, and the tri-county area topped 250,000, it reached a threshold,” Runberg said. “That can be a pivot point for a business when they’re looking at expanding to other communities.

“Bend is a foodie town.”

Milburn said he’s banking on the fact that the brand is familiar to residents who have moved from California, where the brand originated.

“We know there’s brand familiarity,” Milburn said. “The hotdog business isn’t sexy or exciting or a foodie type item, but it’s a beloved American food. Our brand has a cult following. We have customers coming to us three days week. We offer a value type menu.”

The franchise opportunity is attractive to an investor who already owns another franchise with another brand, Milburn said. Or someone who already has space built out in a strip. mall.