Restaurant Franchise

If there's one thing that everybody likes doing, it's going out to a restaurant. Whether you have experience in the service industry or you've always been interested in owning a restaurant, a restaurant franchise might be right for you.Owning a restaurant franchise is one of the most sure-fire ways to have a successful business. People dine out based on brand recognition, and when you become a restaurant franchise owner you'll be able to offer a familiar name and menu to customers.

When you're looking for a restaurant franchise it's easy to see the track record of success that other people have had in different areas. By opening a restaurant business in a nearby area, you can capitalize on the success that the restaurant has seen elsewhere. This is especially true if you are opening your restaurant business in an area where there is a lot of passing traffic. Out-of-town visitors are more likely to eat some place with a recognizable name than to try a local restaurant.

There are nearly a million restaurants nationwide and national sales records for 2008 should reach $558 billion. Even in times of economic hardship, people still continue to eat at restaurants. 70% of adults surveyed say their favorite restaurant has dishes and flavors that are not reproducible in their home kitchens. Although there's a large initial investment when opening a restaurant franchise, it's not comparable to going into the restaurant business alone. When you're independent of the franchise system you won't have the added benefits of brand recognition and support from the home office.

As you probably know, there are many different types of restaurant franchises to choose from. You can choose based on cuisine, type of service offered or even focus on food specialties, like at Zoup. Zoup is a fast service soup restaurant franchise. It offers a healthy alternative to burgers, fries and normal fast service dining options. If you want a restaurant business like no other, this may be just the right one for you.

You may want to go with a more familiar restaurant franchise, like McDonald's, Burger King or Carl's Jr. These restaurant franchises offer a familiarity that come with an expensive price. If you're married to the idea of owning a burger joint, Checkers may be right for you. Checkers is a drive-through restaurant franchise that focuses on burgers, fries and shakes. In a small but efficient space, your staff will work a double drive-through to provide quick service at a great price.

Restaurant franchises like La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill offer ethnic food in a casual dining environment. In the industry since 1979, La Salsa is committed to providing fresh Mexican food with the added feature of a fresh salsa bar in each restaurant. Casual dining restaurants like La Salsa are growing in popularity and this type of restaurant franchise is sure to be a winner in your area.

(ArticlesBase SC #555748)

Bob Richman

Few things are better than the passion and satisfaction that is brought by the wonderful aroma of BBQ food.

There is no doubt in anyones mind that if barbecue was a national food, in the United States it would win without losing a breath. One of the core reasons behind this is the simple fact that barbecue is enjoyed World over by almost every culture that you can imagine, and as such, enjoys a level of popularity not seen in other types of cuisine.

On top of that, every person that is capable of holding a pair of barbecue tongs also has their own personal favorites and knows how to best cook and present their favorite BBQ dishes.

Within the United States, there are four well known styles of barbecue that exist; from Memphis, Texas, Kansas City and Carolina, and within each of these states, barbecue restaurant franchises are available and offer an exciting opportunity to new restaurant owners seeking a successful business model within a well established market.

To whet your appetite for business in the Barbecue Franchise Market, here is the "meat" of the facts!

1) 7, 429 Barbecue Franchises operating since 1998; this figure has risen dramatically from 1998 - 2008. (1998 Recount U.S., a service of NPD Foodservice Information Group, Rosemont, IL.)

2) Burgers (82%), steak (79%), chicken (72%) and hot dogs (71%) top the list of the most popular BBQ foods prepared on a hot barbecue grill!

3) Charcoal grill owners are most often prompted to cook on their charcoal grills by a desire to eat great tasting food (77%)

4) Four in ten consumers who eat from a charcoal grill (39%) normally use barbecue sauce to add flavor to their dishes. Most popular flavors include hickory (65%), mesquite (49%) and honey (49%). (Source: The Hearth, Barbecue and Patio Survey 2007)

5) The first bottled barbecue sauce originated in Kansas City. (Dotty Griffith, Celebrating Barbecue…, 2002)

Is investing in a BBQ Franchise a sensible thing to do?

Passion for food is paramount to run any successful BBQ restaurant franchise, and if you have the energy and will to succeed, then you should seriously consider taking up the reigns on a barbecue franchise.

If you have a strong gut feeling that there is a great opportunity for a barbecue franchise in the area that you are considering launching, then start looking for a franchise that fits your financial criteria while satisfying your diners.

It should be known that the first year is the hardest for any franchisee and it is rare for a new BBQ franchise to break even. This is the nature of starting a new restaurant franchise.

How much does it cost to run a BBQ restaurant franchise?

To start your own barbecue restaurant franchise, you should be ready to invest in the regions of $75,000 and $250,000 in total capital investment.

Your BBQ franchise fee can be expected to average out at around $35,000 and the franchisor may possibly take a cut of around five per cent of your takings.

Locations, meanwhile, are likely to be large and spacious. You'll need to have a customer-facing approach that can fill that space, night after night.

Some franchisors construct from scratch to guarantee standardized experiences. Bar-B-Cutie for example, takes between 90 days and six months to build and prepare a site, so bear this in mind. If you are in a hurry to get started, that may not be the way to go as that could douse your grilling dreams in a bucket of cold water.

You could also find that barbecue restaurant franchisors want to be hands-on and take the lead on designing your BBQ restaurant so that it blends in with the franchise's brand.

This can include things like staff workwear, menus, dinner plates and so forth; leading names like the well-known barbecue restaurant chain such as the 55-year-old Bar-B-Cutie, are adamant in ensuring that their corporate identity is kept intact within their outlets.

If, on the other hand, you prefer running things your way, then it would be wise to seek a smaller barbecue restaurant franchise as they often have less stringent controls on the way you run your business.

It should go without saying, but always read the small print in any franchises terms and conditions, as they will all vary, some to your liking, and some not.

If you think you are ready to take up the tongs on your own barbecue franchise and open your own restaurant, take a look through these fiery franchise delight below and see what lights your fire.

The current list of active Barbecue Restaurant Franchises in the United States.

BD's Mongolian BBQ

Since 1992, BD's has been delivering a unique, interactive dining experience that sets them apart from the competition focusing on: Fun, Choice and Control. BD's are currently looking for franchise partners to help them build on the success they have experienced with both owner-operated and franchise restaurants.

Dickey's Barbecue Pit

When you open a Dickey's BBQ restaurant franchise, you're not just opening a restaurant. You're becoming part of the family. That's why Dickey's is the biggest fast-casual barbecue brand in the United States, and also the fastest growing.

Dickey's are quite selective about who they choose to join the Dickey's BBQ franchise family. Whether it's an Owner/Operator or a team member, they select only the the very best.

Famous Dave's Barbeque

Famous Dave's is a "specialty" casual dining restaurant franchise, creating environments that transcend current restaurant offerings by serving the highest quality, flavor-intense foods in surroundings that are stimulating, interesting and fun! Famous Dave's is more than a restaurant – it's an escape from the ordinary.

As of June 15, 2009, Famous Dave's had 176 restaurants open - 46 corporate and 130 franchised locations in 38 states. They have been ranked #1 in our restaurant category by ‘Entrepreneur Magazine' in 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2009.

Sonny's Bar-B-Q

Sonny's reputation wasn't built overnight - it's been almost 40 years in the making. Sonny's Bar-B-Q customer acceptance is based on their unwavering commitment to making outstanding Bar-B-Q served by outstanding people.

Today, their success continues as a result of a strong family of dedicated franchisees backed by a solid system that delivers consistent products and profits.

At Sonny's Franchise Company, community involvement is a top priority. That's why they support various community initiatives throughout the southeast. Sonny's has strong partnerships in Education, Arts & Humanities, Charitable Initiatives, Youth Development and Human Services.

Virginia Barbeque

Their business model has been specifically designed to be family friendly to the customers and the franchise owner. Owners are drawn to the BBQ business because of the lifestyle freedoms that are unique to their chain that opens at 11 am and closes no later than 9pm.

Virginia Barbecue are also quick to point out that, "Americans now spend 47.9 percent of their annual food budget in restaurants, making it nearly equal with grocery stores and other retailers as their main source of food, the NRA stated."

Woody's Bar-B-Q

Woody's have a passion for Bar-B-Q, and a passion for great franchise partners. With a lower start-up entry cost and outstanding franchisee support, Woody's is a great opportunity within the fast-growing casual dining segment. And, Bar-B-Q is hotter than ever.

Woody's are commited to training new franchisees in all aspects of operating a new BBQ franchise business and provide dynamic opening advertising assistance and customer generation techniques, and the toll-free support line means that as a new franchisee, you will always have someone on hand to help.

(ArticlesBase SC #1607995)