Learn Why Now is a Great Time to Open a BBQ Restaurant

If you’ve dreamed about bringing authentic, award-winning barbecue to your community, Famous Dave’s offers an incredible opportunity to do just that. As one of the most recognizable names in BBQ, Famous Dave’s combines a rich tradition of slow-smoked meats with a proven franchise system designed to help entrepreneurs thrive. When you’re exploring the idea of how to open a BBQ restaurant, partnering with Famous Dave’s could be the ideal fit. Let’s walk through why you should consider Famous Dave’s and how the journey from signing to grand opening unfolds.

Why Own a Famous Dave’s BBQ Restaurant?

Choosing to open a Famous Dave’s franchise means aligning yourself with a brand that has decades of experience and national recognition. Founded by “Famous” Dave Anderson, the brand has built a loyal customer base through passion for authentic barbecue, scratch-made sides, and genuine hospitality.

When you join Famous Dave’s, you don’t just open a restaurant, you become part of a family that values quality, community, and hands-on support. Franchise owners benefit from flexible restaurant models (from full-service to counter-service options), extensive training programs, and marketing resources designed to keep guests coming back.

Famous Dave’s is backed by BBQ Holdings, Inc., a multi-brand restaurant company with decades of experience in growing and supporting some of America’s favorite dining concepts. In 2022, BBQ Holdings was acquired by MTY Group, a leading restaurant franchisor that operates over 7,000 locations under more than 90 different brands across North America.

By combining a spirit of entrepreneurship with a strong operational framework, the authenticity of each brand under the MTY Group is maintained, while giving franchise owners the tools and systems they need to grow. Famous Dave’s franchisees benefit from advanced supply chain support, creative marketing initiatives, reliable vendor partnerships, and continuous operational guidance.

How to Open a BBQ Restaurant with Famous Dave’s

If you’re ready to move from dream to reality, here’s what the process looks like when opening a Famous Dave’s franchise:

1. Make It Official

After initial conversations with the franchise development team, reviewing the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), and finalizing your decision, you’ll sign your franchise agreement. This is an exciting moment when you officially become part of the Famous Dave’s family and are ready to start building your BBQ restaurant.

2. Find the Right Location

Real estate plays a key role in opening a BBQ restaurant. Famous Dave’s helps guide you through the site selection process, offering insight on what makes a strong location based on demographics, visibility, accessibility, and market demand.

3. Build-out and Design

Once your location is secured, construction and design planning begin. Famous Dave’s offers flexible prototypes that can adapt to different spaces and markets. Their real estate and construction teams support you throughout the build-out, helping with layouts, equipment, and branding elements that bring the Famous Dave’s experience to life.

4. Comprehensive Training

Before you open your doors, you’ll undergo an in-depth training program that covers everything from food preparation to customer service to restaurant management. Training takes place both in the classroom and in a working Famous Dave’s restaurant, giving you hands-on experience to help you feel confident in running your location.

5. Grand Opening Celebration

Opening day is a big deal, and Famous Dave’s knows how to make it memorable! The corporate team helps plan a grand opening strategy to introduce your restaurant to the community, from marketing promotions to local events. The goal is to generate excitement, drive traffic, and start building strong guest relationships from day one.

6. Ongoing Support

Once your restaurant is open, you’re never alone. Famous Dave’s provides continuous operational support, marketing resources, and brand initiatives to help you grow your business over time. Regular check-ins, new product rollouts, and training refreshers ensure you stay connected to the brand’s evolution and best practices.

Your Opportunity to Bring Famous Dave’s BBQ to Your Community

If you’ve been looking into how to open a BBQ restaurant, Famous Dave’s offers a pathway backed by real experience, strong support, and a beloved brand identity.

Review our research pages to learn more about our franchise program, and fill out our inquiry form here to get started today, bringing a lovable BBQ restaurant franchise to your community. Once we receive your information, we’ll connect with you to schedule an introductory call and answer any questions you may have. We look forward to hearing from you.