1983
7
$171,700
Inquire
$258,100
No
The Taste of Southern Hospitality, Ready for Your Town
David's Catfish House is a proven, beloved restaurant concept rooted in genuine Southern tradition and exceptional seafood. Since 1983, we have cultivated a loyal following by specializing in the finest farm-raised Mississippi catfish and fresh Gulf Coast seafood, served with a generous side of classic Southern hospitality.
Our concept is simple yet powerful: high-quality, made-from-scratch food in a warm, family-friendly environment. Our reputation is built on famous dishes, most notably the Catfish and Cheese Grits—an item so iconic it has been named one of the "100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die" for two consecutive years. We successfully bridge the gap between quick, casual dining and high-quality, home-style Southern cooking, offering dine-in, drive-through, curbside pickup, and catering services. This versatile model, combined with an established brand presence in the Southeast, positions David's Catfish House as a compelling and unique investment in the flourishing US restaurant industry.
Investing in a David's Catfish House franchise offers you the opportunity to own a business with a proven operational model and a distinctly appealing niche in the American dining landscape.
Established Brand and Niche Market: The brand’s roots in the Southeast provide a strong, authentic story. You are not selling a generic concept but a highly reputable, specialized offering in the Southern seafood and catfish market, which minimizes direct competition from mainstream fast-casual chains.
Operational Simplicity: The franchise system provides well-constructed business resources, including detailed operations manuals, job descriptions, and processes, all designed to streamline the management of a new restaurant. Recipes and essential assets are often available online, ensuring consistency and ease of execution.
Multiple Revenue Streams: The model is diversified with options for dine-in, drive-through, curbside pickup, and catering, allowing franchisees to maximize sales and adapt to changing customer preferences and market conditions.
Quality and Loyalty: A commitment to serving fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, like Mississippi farm-raised catfish and Alabama Gulf seafood, builds deep customer trust and loyalty, driving repeat business.
David’s Catfish House is a Southern seafood restaurant chain founded in 1983 by David and Sadie Ross in Monroeville, Alabama. The brand is renowned for its signature dishes, including fried catfish, cheese grits, and hushpuppies, which have become staples in the Gulf Coast culinary scene.
Founded: 1983 by David and Sadie Ross in Monroeville, Alabama.
Headquarters: Pensacola, Florida.
Industry: Casual dining, specializing in Southern-style seafood.
Ownership: Privately held; operates both company-owned and franchised locations.
Franchise Availability: Currently accepting franchise applications in the U.S.
David’s Catfish House operates multiple locations across Alabama and Florida, including:
Alabama:
Monroeville
Spanish Fort
Thomasville
Andalusia
Atmore
Brewton
Florida:
Milton
The brand has expanded from its original Monroeville location to include several franchise units, demonstrating its growth and appeal in the Southern U.S.
David’s Catfish House has garnered recognition for its authentic Southern cuisine. Their catfish and cheese grits have been featured in the "100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die" list by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel for multiple years, highlighting the brand's culinary excellence and local popularity.
The franchise program offers comprehensive support, including:
Operational Manuals: Detailed guidelines to ensure consistency and quality across locations.
Training Programs: Extensive training for franchisees and staff to uphold brand standards.
Marketing Support: Assistance with local and digital marketing strategies to drive customer engagement.
Vendor Relationships: Established connections with suppliers to maintain product quality and cost-efficiency.
David's Catfish House is dedicated to setting up its franchise partners for success through a comprehensive support system that covers every phase of the restaurant lifecycle.
1. Pre-Launch and Development Support:
Site Selection Assistance: Guidance on identifying high-potential locations, taking into account local demographics, traffic patterns, and visibility.
Design and Build-Out: Proven restaurant layouts and designs to ensure operational efficiency and maintain the brand's welcoming atmosphere.
Vendor Relationships: Benefit from established relationships with key food suppliers, including reliable sources for Mississippi farm-raised catfish and Gulf seafood, ensuring high quality and a streamlined supply chain.
2. Operational and Academic Training:
Initial Training Program: A thorough training curriculum for the franchisee and key management staff, covering all aspects of the business. This includes in-depth classroom and on-the-job instruction.
Operations Manuals: Access to detailed, fully constructed business resources, including comprehensive operations manuals, recipe guidelines for all "made from scratch" menu items, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Hiring and Staffing: Assistance with job descriptions and best practices for recruiting, training, and retaining a friendly and efficient staff.
3. Ongoing Support:
Field Support: Regular visits and consultations from a dedicated Franchise Business Consultant to ensure quality, consistency, and efficient operations.
Marketing & Advertising: Access to established marketing materials, branding assets, and guidance on local store marketing strategies to drive customer traffic.
Technological Support: Integration of online ordering platforms, point-of-sale (POS) systems, and technology resources for managing inventory and labor.
David's Catfish House is seeking passionate and driven entrepreneurs ready to embody Southern hospitality and commit to operational excellence.
Required Characteristics:
Passion for Leadership and Growth: A strong desire to lead a team, motivate staff, and actively grow the business within the community.
Business Acumen: While prior restaurant experience is helpful, strong business management and administrative skills are essential for overseeing financial performance, inventory, and personnel.
Community Focus: The ideal candidate is dedicated to becoming a respected, visible member of their local community, delivering a genuinely friendly and family-focused dining experience.
Commitment to Quality: An unwavering commitment to upholding the brand's standards for "made-from-scratch" quality, fresh seafood sourcing, and customer service.
Investment Capability: Must meet the minimum financial requirements to ensure a smooth launch and adequate working capital for the initial operating phase.
Preferred Background: Management or ownership experience in the service or retail industry is advantageous. Multi-unit operators looking to diversify their portfolio with a distinctive, proven concept are also highly desirable.
The following figures represent the estimated initial investment range for a David's Catfish House franchise. Note: These are estimates based on publicly available data and are subject to change. Consult the official Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) for the most current and accurate figures.
