2021
3
$500,000
$30,000
$2,862,000
No
Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay offers a gourmet fast-casual dining experience that brings chef-driven quality to the everyday burger. Founded by celebrity chef Bobby Flay, the brand combines bold flavors, innovative recipes, and a modern dining atmosphere to create a unique burger experience. With a commitment to culinary excellence and a streamlined operational model, Bobby’s Burgers stands out in the competitive burger market.
Chef-Driven Brand: Leverage Bobby Flay’s culinary expertise and brand recognition to attract a loyal customer base.
Innovative Menu: Offer a diverse menu that includes signature burgers, fries, and shakes, catering to a wide range of tastes.
Modern Design: Benefit from a contemporary restaurant design that appeals to a broad demographic.
Scalable Model: Operate in various formats, including inline, endcap, and freestanding locations, with options for drive-thru and delivery.
Comprehensive Support: Receive extensive training, marketing, and operational support to ensure business success.
Established Year & Founding:
Bobby’s Burgers was founded in 2021 by the celebrity chef Bobby Flay, a culinary icon known for his bold flavors and extensive media presence. The concept was created to bring gourmet-quality burgers to a fast-casual format, blending chef-driven innovation with approachable, everyday dining.
Franchise Units & Expansion:
As of now, the brand has a few operational locations in the U.S., with franchising officially beginning around 2022. The franchise is actively looking to expand across high-traffic areas in the United States, including urban centers, shopping complexes, and entertainment districts.
Founders & Brand Journey:
Bobby Flay, a James Beard Award-winning chef and television personality, envisioned a brand that combined his culinary expertise with the growing demand for premium, convenient dining. The brand journey began with a focus on creating signature burgers, fries, and shakes, emphasizing high-quality ingredients and innovative recipes. From its initial launch, Bobby’s Burgers has attracted food enthusiasts seeking a gourmet twist on a classic American staple.
Ownership & Market Presence:
The company is privately held and centrally managed from its headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bobby’s Burgers positions itself in the fast-casual dining category, a segment that has shown consistent growth in the U.S. market. Its chef-driven identity, combined with modern restaurant design and a focus on customer experience, gives it a strong competitive edge in the crowded burger and casual dining sector.
Industry Category & Recognition:
Operating in the fast-casual and gourmet burger segment, Bobby’s Burgers competes with both traditional burger chains and emerging fast-casual concepts. Its unique selling proposition is the Bobby Flay brand name, which adds instant credibility, marketing leverage, and customer trust.
Other Key Information:
The brand emphasizes a flexible restaurant format that can adapt to inline, endcap, freestanding, and even drive-thru locations.
It leverages celebrity branding for media visibility and marketing campaigns.
Focuses on quality control and standardized operations, ensuring consistency across locations.
Pre-Launch Support:
Assistance with site selection and lease negotiation.
Guidance on restaurant design and construction.
Comprehensive training at Burger U in Atlanta, Georgia.
Operational Support:
Ongoing operational assistance to ensure efficient restaurant management.
Access to state-of-the-art technology and systems.
Regular performance evaluations and feedback.
Marketing Support:
National and local marketing campaigns to drive brand awareness.
Promotional materials and digital marketing resources.
Social media and public relations support.
Ongoing Support:
Continuous training and development opportunities.
Access to a dedicated franchise support team.
Regular updates on menu innovations and operational best practices.
The ideal franchisee for Bobby’s Burgers is someone who aligns with the brand’s vision of delivering high-quality, chef-driven burgers in a fast-casual environment. Bobby’s Burgers looks for entrepreneurs who are committed to operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and long-term growth.
1. Business Background & Experience:
Preferred Experience: Prior experience in restaurant management, multi-unit operations, or hospitality is highly beneficial.
Entrepreneurial Mindset: Franchisees should be motivated self-starters capable of running daily operations while maintaining high standards.
Leadership Skills: Ability to recruit, train, and manage a team effectively, ensuring exceptional service and consistent product quality.
2. Passion & Brand Alignment:
Passion for Food: A genuine interest in gourmet food, culinary innovation, and customer satisfaction.
Commitment to Brand Standards: Willingness to uphold Bobby’s Burgers’ reputation for high-quality ingredients, menu innovation, and dining experience.
3. Investment Capability:
Financial Readiness: Must have sufficient capital to cover the initial franchise fee, total investment (which ranges from ~$547,950 to $2,862,000), working capital, and ongoing expenses.
Risk Tolerance: Comfortable investing in a growing fast-casual brand with potential for significant ROI over 18–24 months.
4. Location Preference:
High-Traffic Areas: Ideal franchisees seek locations in shopping centers, urban neighborhoods, entertainment districts, or areas with strong footfall.
Growth-Oriented: Open to operating multiple units in the future to maximize market presence and revenue potential.
5. Personal Qualities:
Customer-Focused: Prioritizes creating an enjoyable, consistent dining experience for guests.
Adaptable & Resilient: Able to navigate challenges of the fast-casual market while implementing brand standards.
Team-Oriented: Works collaboratively with the franchisor’s support team to maximize business potential.
Summary:
The best franchisees for Bobby’s Burgers are experienced, passionate, and financially prepared entrepreneurs who are excited about bringing a celebrity chef brand to their local community. They value operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and long-term brand growth, making them ideal partners for expansion in the fast-casual burger market.
| Financial Component | Details / Range |
|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $30,000 |
| Total Investment Required | $547,950 – $2,862,000 |
| Minimum Cash Required | $500,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 6% of gross sales |
| Marketing / Advertising Fee | 1% of gross sales |
| Infrastructure / Build-out Cost | $300,000 – $1,500,000 (varies by location and size) |
| Working Capital | $50,000 – $150,000 |
| Equipment & Fixtures | $150,000 – $400,000 |
| Break-Even Timeline | Typically 18–24 months |
| Revenue Streams | In-store dining, takeout, delivery, catering, branded merchandise |
| Expected ROI | 18–30% annually (depending on location and operational efficiency) |
Notes:
Investment Range: The variation depends on the restaurant size, real estate costs, and whether it is a freestanding, inline, or drive-thru location.
Working Capital: Includes funds needed for initial inventory, staff salaries, and operating expenses before the business becomes self-sustaining.
Revenue Streams: Bobby’s Burgers provides multiple avenues for income, allowing franchisees to diversify profits beyond in-store sales.
