BAR LOUIE
Bar Louie offers franchises for gastrobar restaurants featuring upscale casual food, on-premises alcoholic beverages, third-party delivery, catering, and related products and services. Franchisees operate under a proprietary system with distinctive branding, menus, layouts, and methods, typically in 6,000-8,000 square foot spaces located in lifestyle centers, business districts, and densely populated urban/residential areas. The business model supports single-unit franchises or multi-unit developments targeting operators in the casual dining and bar sector.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
5% royalty + up to 4.5% marketing contribution (currently 1.5% to brand fund + 3% local spend) + 0.5% technology + $192-$268/mo data platform license
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 16 franchised units (11 not located in a hotel, 5 located in a hotel) open for the full calendar year 2023.
* Weighted average gross revenue calculated for 2023 based on two categories of franchised units: 11 units not located in a hotel with an average gross revenue of $3,090,933, and 5 units located in a hotel with an average gross revenue of $1,998,819. The calculation is ((3,090,933 * 11) + (1,998,819 * 5)) / (11 + 5) = $2,749,647.38. Median, quartile, net income, net profit, and EBITDA data are not explicitly provided or stated as excluded in the document.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How BAR LOUIE Compares to Other Casual Dining Franchises
Key Insights
- Lower than average SBA loan default rate in Casual Dining
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
BAR LOUIE Current | $1.1M - $3.9M | $50K | 5.0% | 18 |
| IHOP & INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PANCAKES | $1.8M - $4.5M | $69K | N/A | 1,703 |
| BUFFALO WILD WINGS | $2.5M - $4.9M | $25K | 5.0% | 538 |
| GOLDEN CORRAL STEAKS, BUFFET & BAKERY | $2.1M - $8.5M | $50K | 4.0% | 352 |
| GOLDEN CORRAL | $2.2M - $8.7M | $50K | 4.0% | 348 |
| ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE (THE) | $483K - $1.7M | $60K | 2.0% | 146 |
Casual Dining Average 43 franchises | $1.6M - $3.6M | $44K | 4.6% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 43 Casual Dining franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2023)
Outlets by state across the United States
+6 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for BAR LOUIE franchisees (2012 - 2021)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
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Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Dispute with franchisees involving violations of franchise agreements and unauthorized restaurant closures.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
Predecessor franchisor BL Restaurant Franchises LLC (BLRF) and affiliates (BL Restaurants Holding LLC, BL Restaurant Operations LLC, and BL Hunt Valley LLC) filed Chapter 11 on January 27, 2020.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a BAR LOUIE franchise?
The total initial investment to open a BAR LOUIE franchise ranges from $1,064,500 to $3,949,000. This includes a franchise fee of $50,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 5.0% of gross sales.
How much revenue does a BAR LOUIE franchise make?
According to the 2024 FDD, the average gross revenue for a BAR LOUIE franchise is $2,749,647.38.
How many BAR LOUIE franchise locations are there?
As of the 2024 FDD, BAR LOUIE has 18 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 2006.
Can you get an SBA loan for a BAR LOUIE franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for BAR LOUIE franchises. Historical data shows 8 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for BAR LOUIE franchisees, with an average loan amount of $1,170,138. The historical default rate is 12.5%.
Is BAR LOUIE a good franchise to buy?
BAR LOUIE shows several positive indicators: transparent financial performance data (Item 19). However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
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