--- title: "Ground Round Bar and Grill Franchise: Cost, FDD Analysis & Review" description: "Explore the Ground Round Bar and Grill franchise. Investment: $320K-$2.2M. 19 locations. Grade: c. Bar, Pub & Grill." url: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/ground-round-bar-and-grill" canonical: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/ground-round-bar-and-grill" markdown_url: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/ground-round-bar-and-grill.md" type: "FranchiseBrand" brand: "Ground Round Bar and Grill" sector: "Full Service Restaurants" category: "Family Dining & Casual American" investment_low: "320000" investment_high: "2205000" total_units: "22" grade: "C" operating_model: "Semi-Absentee | Owner-Operator | Multi-Unit" --- # Ground Round Bar and Grill Franchise: Cost, FDD Analysis & Review Explore the Ground Round Bar and Grill franchise. Investment: $320K-$2.2M. 19 locations. Grade: c. Bar, Pub & Grill. ## At a glance - **Brand:** Ground Round Bar and Grill - **Sector:** Full Service Restaurants - **Category:** Family Dining & Casual American - **Total initial investment:** $320,000 – $2,205,000 - **Total units (FDD Item 20):** 22 - **FranchiseGrade grade:** C - **Operating model:** Semi-Absentee | Owner-Operator | Multi-Unit - **States with locations:** ME, ME, MN, MN, MO, MO, NY, NY, ND, ND, OK, OK, PA, SD, SD, VT, VT, WI, WI ## Ground Round Bar and Grill — franchise facts ### What is the total initial investment required to open a Ground Round Bar and Grill franchise? Total investment ranges from $320,000 to $2,205,000, covering real estate, buildout, equipment, and working capital. Investment levels vary based on location, size, and local market conditions. Detailed breakdown available in the franchise disclosure document. ### What is the initial franchise fee for Ground Round Bar and Grill, and what does it cover? The initial franchise fee ranges from $20,000 to $35,000, granting access to the brand, operational systems, training, and ongoing support. This moderate fee structure is competitive within the full-service restaurant sector. ### What ongoing fees, royalties, or required contributions do Ground Round Bar and Grill franchisees pay? Franchisees pay a 3.5% royalty on gross revenues and contribute 1% to the national advertising fund. An additional 2% local marketing spend supports regional promotional efforts, with total ongoing costs around 6.5% of revenues. ### What financial requirements must candidates meet to qualify for a Ground Round Bar and Grill franchise? Franchisees should have liquid capital and net worth sufficient to cover the total investment and support operations through the startup phase. Specific financial thresholds are outlined in Item 10 of the franchise disclosure document. ### Are financing options or third-party funding programs available for Ground Round Bar and Grill franchisees? Many franchisees pursue SBA loans, conventional bank financing, or equipment financing for restaurant buildout. The franchisor can discuss general financing approaches, though it does not directly provide financing. ### What initial training does Ground Round Bar and Grill provide to new franchise owners? The franchisor provides 464 hours of comprehensive training, including 64 hours of classroom instruction and 400 hours of on-the-job training. Training covers restaurant operations, kitchen procedures, bar management, customer service, and management systems. ### What ongoing support and resources does Ground Round Bar and Grill offer after opening? Franchisees receive continuous operational support, including field visits, marketing guidance, and access to corporate resources. The franchisor assists with menu updates, training reinforcement, and problem-solving throughout the franchise relationship. ### Does Ground Round Bar and Grill assist with real estate and site selection for new locations? The franchisor provides guidance on site selection criteria and market analysis to help franchisees identify strong locations. Real estate approval and lease negotiation support are part of the pre-opening process. ### What does the day-to-day role of a franchise owner look like with Ground Round Bar and Grill? Owner-operators typically oversee daily restaurant management, staff supervision, quality control, and customer relations. Responsibilities include kitchen oversight, bar management, inventory, scheduling, and financial monitoring. ### Can Ground Round Bar and Grill be operated as an owner-operator or semi-absentee franchise? Ground Round traditionally operates as an owner-operator model requiring active daily involvement, though some multi-unit owners may delegate to general managers. The restaurant business model typically demands owner presence, especially during startup and growth phases. ### What type of lifestyle and time commitment should owners expect with Ground Round Bar and Grill? Restaurant ownership offers community engagement and visible business leadership but demands long hours, weekend and evening work, and seasonal fluctuations. This is ideal for entrepreneurs who thrive in social environments and enjoy hands-on operations. ### What territories or markets are currently available for Ground Round Bar and Grill franchise ownership? Ground Round maintains 19 franchised units across select Midwest and Northeast territories. Additional territories may be available in underserved markets; contact the franchisor to discuss expansion opportunities in your region. ### Does Ground Round Bar and Grill offer multi-unit ownership or expansion opportunities? Experienced franchisees with operational success and capital can develop multiple Ground Round locations within their territory or adjacent areas. Multi-unit arrangements are negotiated directly with corporate leadership. ### Are area development or master franchise opportunities available with Ground Round Bar and Grill? Area development agreements allow qualified franchisees to expand within larger geographic regions over time. Terms vary based on market potential and franchisee capacity; inquire during initial conversations. ### How does Ground Round Bar and Grill approach unit-level profitability and financial performance? Full-service restaurants typically operate on 5-10% net margins after all expenses. Profitability depends on location quality, operational execution, labor management, and local market demand. Low royalty rates help preserve margins. ### What sets Ground Round Bar and Grill apart from competitors in its market segment? Ground Round differentiates through its casual neighborhood atmosphere, quality bar program, and long-standing brand recognition in key markets. The focus on community connection and accessible pricing creates loyal customer bases that support repeat visits. ## Research this brand - Full profile: https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/ground-round-bar-and-grill - 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/ground-round-bar-and-grill* *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*