1994
8
$772,225
$50,000
$1,476,500
No
Cody’s Original Roadhouse is a nostalgic, family-friendly restaurant that brings the charm of mid-20th-century American eateries to modern diners. Established in 1994 and franchising since 1996, Cody’s offers a warm, inviting atmosphere where guests can enjoy hearty meals and a sense of community. The menu features hand-cut USDA Choice steaks, slow-roasted prime rib, fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs, fresh fish, fajitas, and bottomless salads. With a commitment to quality and value, Cody’s has become a beloved brand in Florida and is expanding its footprint across the southeastern United States.
Proven Business Model: Cody’s has a track record of success with a loyal customer base and consistent sales.
Strong Brand Identity: The brand’s nostalgic theme and quality offerings resonate with a wide demographic.
Expansion Potential: With plans to double its Florida locations and expand into new markets, there are ample growth opportunities for franchisees.
Comprehensive Support: Franchisees receive extensive training and ongoing support to ensure operational success.
Established Year: Cody’s Original Roadhouse was founded in 1994 by Nick Kapioltas in Clearwater, Florida. The brand was created to provide a classic American dining experience that combines high-quality food with a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere reminiscent of traditional roadhouses.
Franchising Launch: Cody’s began offering franchise opportunities in 1996, allowing entrepreneurs to expand the brand’s footprint beyond its original location. This early move into franchising enabled the company to grow steadily while maintaining quality and operational consistency.
Franchise Units: Currently, Cody’s operates multiple locations in Florida, with plans to expand further across the southeastern United States. Each franchise location is designed to reflect the brand’s classic Americana theme while providing modern amenities and operational efficiency.
Founders: The brand was founded by Nick Kapioltas, whose vision was to combine the comfort of a hometown restaurant with the standards of a professional, modern dining establishment. His focus on quality, service, and consistency has helped Cody’s build a loyal customer base.
Brand Journey & Company History:
From its inception in 1994, Cody’s quickly gained popularity for its hand-cut steaks, prime rib, ribs, seafood, and generous portions.
By 1996, the company saw the potential to grow through franchising, leading to structured training programs and operational manuals for franchisees.
Over the years, Cody’s has maintained a balance of nostalgic decor and modern dining experiences, catering to families, locals, and tourists.
The brand has leveraged consistent quality, a strong menu, and effective marketing to establish itself as a recognized casual dining chain in Florida and surrounding regions.
Ownership: Cody’s Original Roadhouse is privately owned, with a centralized management team overseeing brand consistency, marketing, and franchisee support.
Market Presence in the USA: The brand is primarily concentrated in Florida, with strong recognition in the casual dining segment. Cody’s targets high-traffic areas and suburban communities, positioning itself as a go-to destination for family meals, celebrations, and casual dining experiences.
Industry Category: Cody’s operates in the casual dining / American cuisine sector, competing with other family-style and steakhouse restaurants. Its differentiation comes from a combination of classic roadhouse ambiance, quality ingredients, and exceptional customer service.
Additional Notes:
Cody’s emphasizes community engagement and local marketing, allowing franchisees to connect with their communities.
The brand continually evolves its menu with seasonal specials and promotional offerings while maintaining core favorites that customers expect.
Cody’s Original Roadhouse provides comprehensive support and training to ensure every franchisee can operate successfully and maintain the brand’s high standards. The support is structured to guide franchisees from pre-launch to ongoing operations, covering operational, marketing, and management aspects.
Before opening a new location, Cody’s assists franchisees with:
Site Selection & Evaluation: Helping identify prime locations based on traffic, demographics, and market potential.
Lease Negotiation: Guidance on favorable lease terms and agreements with landlords.
Restaurant Design & Build-Out: Assistance in designing a layout that aligns with Cody’s brand standards, including décor, kitchen workflow, and dining areas.
Equipment & Supply Procurement: Recommendations and support for sourcing kitchen equipment, furniture, and essential supplies.
Permits & Licensing: Help navigating local permits, health regulations, and compliance requirements.
Franchisees receive in-depth training to ensure smooth day-to-day operations:
Operational Training: Covers restaurant management, front-of-house procedures, kitchen operations, inventory control, and health & safety standards.
Management & Leadership Training: Guidance for hiring, training, and managing staff effectively.
Customer Service & Hospitality: Ensuring franchisees and their teams can provide the signature Cody’s experience to every guest.
Financial & Administrative Training: Basics of budgeting, financial reporting, and cost management to maintain profitability.
Once the restaurant is open, Cody’s continues to provide robust operational assistance:
Field Visits: Regular visits from franchise consultants to evaluate operations, offer advice, and ensure brand standards are met.
Performance Analysis: Tools and metrics to track sales, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency.
Problem Solving & Guidance: Support with day-to-day challenges, staffing issues, and operational adjustments.
Cody’s ensures franchisees have the resources to attract and retain customers:
National Marketing Campaigns: Brand-wide advertising efforts to maintain visibility and awareness.
Local Marketing Assistance: Guidance and materials for local promotions, social media marketing, and community engagement.
Promotional Strategies: Seasonal campaigns, special menus, and loyalty programs to drive sales.
Franchisees have access to an online portal providing:
Operational Manuals & Guides: Step-by-step instructions on daily operations, food preparation, and service standards.
Training Modules: Online tutorials for staff onboarding and ongoing development.
Marketing Materials: Templates, logos, and guidance for digital and print promotions.
Cody’s Original Roadhouse offers a turnkey support system for franchisees, from choosing the right location and building the restaurant, to staff training, marketing, and ongoing operational guidance. This ensures that every franchise maintains the brand’s reputation for quality, service, and consistency.
Cody’s Original Roadhouse seeks franchisees who are passionate, committed, and capable of managing a successful casual dining business. The ideal franchisee combines business acumen, operational experience, and a strong connection to the local community to uphold the brand’s reputation.
Restaurant or Hospitality Background: Preference for individuals with prior experience in managing or owning a restaurant, bar, or similar hospitality business.
Operational Skills: Ability to oversee day-to-day operations, manage staff, handle inventory, and maintain high standards of service and cleanliness.
Financial Acumen: Comfortable managing budgets, understanding profit and loss statements, and implementing cost-control measures.
Customer Service Orientation: Dedicated to providing a memorable dining experience and exceptional customer service.
Community Engagement: Interested in becoming a recognized member of the local community, building relationships with regular patrons, and promoting loyalty.
Brand Commitment: Eager to uphold the Cody’s Original Roadhouse brand values, theme, and quality standards.
Financial Resources: Ability to meet the total investment requirements, including franchise fee, infrastructure costs, and initial working capital.
Long-Term Commitment: Prepared to sustain operations through the start-up period and invest in marketing, staffing, and operational improvements as needed.
Strategic Site Preference: Interested in high-traffic, suburban, or community-focused locations that attract families, professionals, and local diners.
Market Understanding: Awareness of local dining trends, demographics, and competitor landscape to drive restaurant success.
Leadership & Team Management: Able to recruit, train, and lead staff to deliver consistent, high-quality service.
Adaptability & Problem-Solving: Can navigate operational challenges, respond to customer feedback, and maintain efficiency under pressure.
Entrepreneurial Spirit: Motivated to grow the business, explore revenue streams such as catering or takeout, and contribute to the brand’s expansion.
| Financial Parameter | Details / Range |
|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $50,000 |
| Total Estimated Investment | $772,225 – $1,476,500 |
| Infrastructure / Build-Out Cost | Varies depending on location; includes construction, kitchen equipment, furniture, signage, and initial inventory |
| Working Capital | Sufficient to cover initial 3–6 months of operations (varies by location) |
| Royalty Fee | 4% of gross sales |
| Marketing Fee / Fund | 1–3% of gross sales |
| Break-Even Time | 18–36 months (depending on location, management, and market conditions) |
| Expected ROI | Typically achievable within 3–5 years depending on performance |
| Potential Revenue Streams | Dine-in sales, takeout, catering, bar services, seasonal promotions |
| Franchise Units | 8 current locations (all in Florida) |
| Minimum Investment Requirement | Depends on site selection and operational scale, starting around $772,225 |
