--- title: "Famous Dave's Franchise: Cost, FDD Analysis & Review" description: "Explore the Famous Dave's franchise. Investment: $482K-$1.1M. 91 locations. Grade: c. Financial performance disclosed. Bar, Pub & Grill." url: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/famous-daves" canonical: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/famous-daves" markdown_url: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/famous-daves.md" type: "FranchiseBrand" brand: "Famous Dave's" sector: "Full Service Restaurants" category: "BBQ, Smokehouse & Southern Dining" investment_low: "481750" investment_high: "1060750" total_units: "116" grade: "C" operating_model: "Semi-Absentee | Owner-Operator | Multi-Unit" --- # Famous Dave's Franchise: Cost, FDD Analysis & Review Explore the Famous Dave's franchise. Investment: $482K-$1.1M. 91 locations. Grade: c. Financial performance disclosed. Bar, Pub & Grill. ## At a glance - **Brand:** Famous Dave's - **Sector:** Full Service Restaurants - **Category:** BBQ, Smokehouse & Southern Dining - **Total initial investment:** $481,750 – $1,060,750 - **Total units (FDD Item 20):** 116 - **FranchiseGrade grade:** C - **Operating model:** Semi-Absentee | Owner-Operator | Multi-Unit - **States with locations:** AZ, CA, CO, FL, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, NV, ND, OH, OR, SC, SD, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI ## Famous Dave's — franchise facts ### What is the total initial investment required to open a Famous Dave's franchise? Total investment ranges from $481,750 to $1,060,750, covering franchise fee, equipment, buildout, and working capital. Costs vary based on location, size, and local market conditions. Franchisees should budget for real estate, construction, furniture, fixtures, and initial inventory. ### What is the initial franchise fee for Famous Dave's, and what does it cover? The franchise fee is $45,000, providing access to brand systems, initial training, and launch support. This one-time fee grants the right to operate under the Famous Dave's name and utilize proprietary recipes and procedures. ### What ongoing fees, royalties, or required contributions do Famous Dave's franchisees pay? Franchisees pay a 5 percent royalty on gross revenue, 1 percent for the national advertising fund, and 1.5 percent for local marketing. These fees support national marketing initiatives, recipe development, and system-wide improvements benefiting all locations. ### What financial requirements must candidates meet to qualify for a Famous Dave's franchise? Prospective franchisees should have liquid capital available for the initial investment and operational reserves. Lenders typically require 20-30 percent down payment with the remainder financed through SBA or conventional loans. ### Are financing options or third-party funding programs available for Famous Dave's franchisees? Many franchisees use SBA loans to finance portions of the total investment. Famous Dave's works with preferred lenders and can provide guidance on financing options. Personal guarantees and strong credit are typically required. ### What initial training does Famous Dave's provide to new franchise owners? The comprehensive training program includes 75 classroom hours and 280 on-the-job hours covering food preparation, financial management, and customer service. Training takes place at headquarters and at operating locations, ensuring hands-on experience before opening. ### What ongoing support and resources does Famous Dave's offer after opening? Franchisees receive continuous support including operational guidance, menu development, marketing assistance, and technology resources. Regular communication with franchise support team and access to peer networks help franchisees navigate challenges and identify growth opportunities. ### Does Famous Dave's assist with real estate and site selection for new locations? The franchisor provides guidance on site selection criteria based on demographics and traffic patterns. Franchisees typically identify locations, with approval from headquarters to ensure brand standards and market viability. ### What does the day-to-day role of a franchise owner look like with Famous Dave's? Owner-operators oversee kitchen operations, customer service, staff management, and financial performance. Daily responsibilities include food quality assurance, inventory management, and ensuring compliance with brand standards and local regulations. ### Can Famous Dave's be operated as an owner-operator or semi-absentee franchise? The full-service restaurant model typically requires active owner involvement, particularly during opening and initial growth phases. While experienced managers can assist with operations, the owner's presence in financial oversight and major decisions is important for success. ### What type of lifestyle and time commitment should owners expect with Famous Dave's? This opportunity suits entrepreneurs who thrive in fast-paced hospitality environments and enjoy direct customer interaction. The restaurant model requires flexibility for extended hours and seasonal variations, but offers the reward of building a community gathering place. ### What territories or markets are currently available for Famous Dave's franchise ownership? Protected territories are granted for 10-year terms, providing security against internal competition. Availability varies by market, with opportunities in existing markets and expansion regions across the 26-state footprint. ### Does Famous Dave's offer multi-unit ownership or expansion opportunities? Franchisees can develop multiple units within their territory or adjacent areas, with support from the franchisor for growth management. Multi-unit operators benefit from operational efficiencies and stronger negotiating power with suppliers. ### Are area development or master franchise opportunities available with Famous Dave's? Area development agreements are available for qualified operators seeking to build a regional presence. Terms vary based on market size and franchisee experience, with performance expectations tied to development milestones. ### How does Famous Dave's approach unit-level profitability and financial performance? Full-service BBQ restaurants typically generate strong revenue through food, beverage, and alcohol sales, with margins benefiting from the 5 percent royalty structure. Profitability depends on location, operational efficiency, and local market demand. ### What sets Famous Dave's apart from competitors in its market segment? Famous Dave's stands apart through authentic barbecue traditions, a full bar program, and a 25-year franchise track record. The brand's emphasis on quality ingredients and community connection creates loyal customer bases less sensitive to fast-casual competition. ## Research this brand - Full profile: https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/famous-daves - Compare it side by side: https://www.franchisegrade.com/compare - Check affordability against your capital: https://www.franchisegrade.com/affordability-calculator - Franchise terms used above: https://www.franchisegrade.com/tools/franchise-glossary --- *Source: [FranchiseGrade](https://www.franchisegrade.com) — independent, FDD-derived franchise research.* *Cite this page as: https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/famous-daves* *Training, indexing and quotation are permitted — please attribute and link to the source URL above. Full-text reproduction of the whole page is not. Licensing: privacy@franchisegrade.com*