FAMOUS DAVE'S
Famous Dave’s of America, Inc. franchises authentic, down-home barbecue restaurants featuring genuine smoked barbecue, including hickory-smoked spareribs, baby back ribs, beef brisket, herb-roasted chicken, barbecue sandwiches, char-grilled burgers, sides like cornbread and coleslaw, desserts, specialty cocktails, and other food and beverage items. The business model involves granting franchises for full-service, counter-service, line-service restaurants, or add-on ghost/cloud kitchens, with initial investments ranging from $68,500 to $4,510,750 depending on format and ownership, including fees paid to the franchisor and requirements for approved suppliers and brand technology. It targets barbecue enthusiasts seeking a consistent, high-quality BBQ dining experience in various formats.
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 + 1% ad fund + $300-$600/mo performance evaluations
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
This franchise did not provide Item 19 financial performance data.
Be careful if you are interested in investing. The lack of financial performance representations may indicate limited data or varying results across franchises.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How FAMOUS DAVE'S 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
FAMOUS DAVE'S Current | $1.3M - $2.9M | $35K | 5.0% | 77 |
| 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 (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
+15 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for FAMOUS DAVE'S franchisees (2010 - 2025)
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)
No litigation involving franchisees reported in the FDD.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
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 FAMOUS DAVE'S franchise?
The total initial investment to open a FAMOUS DAVE'S franchise ranges from $1,299,250 to $2,910,750. This includes a franchise fee of $35,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 5.0% of gross sales.
How many FAMOUS DAVE'S franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, FAMOUS DAVE'S has 77 franchise locations.
Can you get an SBA loan for a FAMOUS DAVE'S franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for FAMOUS DAVE'S franchises. Historical data shows 13 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for FAMOUS DAVE'S franchisees, with an average loan amount of $1,463,085. The historical default rate is 7.7%.
Is FAMOUS DAVE'S a good franchise to buy?
FAMOUS DAVE'S shows several positive indicators: low SBA loan default rate. 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.
Interested in FAMOUS DAVE'S?
Talk to a franchise advisor to get personalized guidance and learn if FAMOUS DAVE'S is the right fit for you.
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