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Famous Dave's
Barbecue-style restaurants
Barbecue made this Dave famous. Famous Dave's of America operates and franchises more than 160 barbecue restaurants in about 35 states, primarily Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The eateries serve St. Louis-style ribs, Georgia chopped pork, and Texas brisket. Most restaurants resemble 1930s-era roadhouse shacks, although others follow the decor of a hunting lodge or a Chicago-style blues club featuring live music. The company also distributes barbecue sauce, seasonings, and prepared meats through grocery stores and other retail outlets. Famous Dave's owns more than 40 of its restaurants and franchises the rest.
Famous Dave's
12701 Whitewater Drive
Minnetonka, MN 55343
952-294-1343
Fast Facts
| Year established | 1994 |
| Franchising since | 1998 |
| Can be run from home? | No |
| Number of employees needed | 65 |
| Item 19 Financial Performance Representation? | Yes |
| Multiple units must be purchased in U.S. | Yes |
| % of franchisees who own multiple units | 95% |
| Absentee ownership allowed? | No |
Franchise Unit Growth Rate
| Year | U.S. Franchises |
Non-U.S. Franchises |
Company-Owned Locations |
| 2011 | 129 | 0 | 52 |
| 2010 | 130 | 0 | 52 |
| 2009 | 132 | 0 | 45 |
Expanding in These Locations
United States, United States
Costs
| Total Investment | $630,250 - $4,225,750 |
| Franchise Fee | $30,000 - $40,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 5% |
Financial Requirements
| Net Worth | $1,500,000 |
| Liquid Capital | $500,000 - $1,000,000 |
Franchisee Qualifications
Must be experienced as owner-operator of multi-unit, full-service, casual dining restaurant
Must commit to opening five or more units
Must be passionate about the brand
Financing
| Does franchisor offer financing? | No |
| Is franchisor on the SBA's Franchise Registry? | Yes |
| Is franchisor a member of the IFA's VetFran program? | Yes |
Financing Assistance
Third-party financing available
Famous Dave's
12701 Whitewater Drive
Minnetonka, MN 55343
952-294-1343
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Famous Dave's of America, Inc.
Barbecue made this Dave famous. Famous Dave's of America operates and franchises more than 160 barbecue restaurants in about 35 states, primarily Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The eateries serve St. Louis-style ribs, Georgia chopped pork, and Texas brisket. Most restaurants resemble 1930s-era roadhouse shacks, although others follow the decor ...
| Company Type: | Public |
| Employees: | 2,600 |
| 1 Year Employee Growth: | 30% |
| Executives: | K. Jeffrey (Jeff) Dahlberg, ChairmanDiana G. Purcel, CFO and SecretaryChristopher O'Donnell, President and CEO |
| Sales: | $125,900,000 |
| 1 Year Sales Growth: | 7.9% |
| Net Income: | $6,100,000 |
| 1 Year Net Income Growth: | 23.4% |
| See More Financials | |
| Industries: | Casual Dining Restaurants |
| See More Industries | |
| Top Competitors: | Applebee'sBrinkerCarlson Restaurants |
Famous Dave's
12701 Whitewater Drive
Minnetonka, MN 55343
952-294-1343
