2010
10
$450,000
$35,000
$750,000
No
Friends American Grill is more than just a restaurant—it’s a neighborhood gathering place where great food, friendly service, and community spirit come together. Known for its hearty American classics, sports-bar atmosphere, and family-friendly energy, Friends American Grill has built a loyal following across the Southeastern United States. The brand delivers a welcoming environment where guests can enjoy burgers, wings, sandwiches, and signature cocktails while watching their favorite teams on big screens or celebrating special occasions.
As a franchise opportunity, Friends American Grill offers a proven business model backed by years of operational excellence and strong brand recognition in the casual dining segment. With a track record of consistent growth, the franchise blends the comfort of a traditional grill with the excitement of a modern sports bar—appealing to both dine-in and takeout customers. Whether located in a suburban neighborhood or near a busy commercial center, a Friends American Grill franchise becomes the go-to hangout spot for locals.
Investing in Friends American Grill means joining one of the most dependable names in the casual dining and sports bar category. The brand has mastered the balance between a relaxed atmosphere and a profitable restaurant model—backed by menu innovation, efficient kitchen design, and exceptional franchisee support.
Proven Concept: Decades of operational experience with consistent customer satisfaction.
Strong Market Demand: The American grill and sports bar sector continues to show resilience, especially post-pandemic.
Community-Centric Brand: The “Friends” concept thrives on repeat local business and neighborhood engagement.
Comprehensive Support: From site selection to grand opening, the franchisor provides complete assistance.
Attractive Returns: A strong food and beverage mix drives profitability through dine-in, takeout, and catering sales.
Friends American Grill was founded in 2010 in Georgia, USA, with a simple yet powerful vision: to create a place where friends, families, and neighbors could gather to enjoy hearty American food, watch their favorite sports, and feel genuinely welcomed. The concept was built around the idea of good food, good times, and good friends—a casual dining experience rooted in community spirit and Southern hospitality.
The founding team, led by Mike Kirby, brought together decades of experience in restaurant management, food service, and customer engagement to craft a franchise model that delivers both operational simplicity and strong profitability. The first Friends American Grill opened its doors to immediate success, quickly becoming a local favorite thanks to its high-quality ingredients, made-from-scratch menu, affordable pricing, and friendly service.
Over time, Friends American Grill expanded across multiple locations in Georgia and surrounding states, evolving into a regional brand known for consistency, customer loyalty, and community involvement. Its approachable menu—featuring classic American comfort food like burgers, wings, sandwiches, and signature cocktails—has helped it carve a niche in the competitive casual dining and sports bar segment.
Today, Friends American Grill operates more than 10 franchise and corporate-owned units, with ambitious expansion plans across the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the USA. The brand has become synonymous with neighborhood gathering spots where everyone feels like a regular, combining a vibrant bar scene with a family-friendly atmosphere.
The franchise operates under a privately held ownership structure, allowing for flexible decision-making and continuous innovation. Friends American Grill’s leadership remains deeply involved in franchisee success, from strategic planning to hands-on support, ensuring that every location upholds the brand’s reputation for quality, consistency, and connection.
Industry Category: Casual Dining Restaurant / Sports Bar
Headquarters: Jefferson, Georgia, USA
Established: 2010
Founder: Mike Kirby
Current Franchise Units (2025): 10+ and growing
Expansion Focus: Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic USA
Friends American Grill ensures every franchisee has the tools, knowledge, and systems to succeed. The brand’s support structure covers every phase of the business, from initial setup to long-term growth.
Pre-Launch Support:
Assistance with site selection, lease negotiation, and restaurant design
Guidance on permits, licenses, and vendor setup
Pre-opening training for the franchisee and management team
Operational Support:
Comprehensive training in restaurant operations, service standards, and financial management
Proven recipes, inventory systems, and kitchen processes to maintain consistency
Access to proprietary POS systems and reporting tools
Marketing Support:
Local and regional marketing campaigns designed to build brand awareness
Grand opening promotions and ongoing digital advertising support
Social media marketing templates, loyalty programs, and community event playbooks
Ongoing Support:
Continuous menu innovation and seasonal promotions
Field visits, performance tracking, and refresher training sessions
Dedicated franchise consultant for operational guidance
Friends American Grill’s commitment to franchise success ensures you’re never alone in your journey—the team partners with you every step of the way.
Friends American Grill is searching for franchise partners who share its passion for hospitality, community, and entrepreneurship. The brand thrives on personality, consistency, and genuine connection—making it a perfect fit for individuals who enjoy creating welcoming spaces where people can relax, dine, and celebrate life’s everyday moments.
The ideal Friends American Grill franchisee is not just an investor—they are a community builder, leader, and hands-on operator who believes in people-first business. While restaurant or management experience is an advantage, it’s not a requirement. What truly matters is a strong work ethic, commitment to quality, and enthusiasm for delivering a great guest experience every day.
Hospitality Mindset: You love serving people and take pride in creating memorable dining experiences.
Leadership Skills: Strong ability to recruit, train, and motivate staff to maintain brand standards.
Community-Oriented: Willingness to get involved locally, sponsor events, and become the “go-to” neighborhood restaurant.
Operational Focus: A hands-on approach to daily operations, guest service, and brand representation.
Financial Strength: Adequate capital to support start-up and operational costs, with a long-term growth vision.
Commitment to Excellence: Dedication to maintaining Friends American Grill’s high standards of food, cleanliness, and service quality.
Experience in restaurant management, hospitality, or business ownership.
Familiarity with multi-unit management or franchise systems (for those looking to expand).
Background in sales, marketing, or community engagement is highly valued.
Franchisees should have access to $150,000 or more in liquid capital and a net worth of at least $400,000, depending on location size and regional costs. Financing options and lender introductions may be available through Friends American Grill’s franchise development team.
Friends American Grill franchises perform best in:
Suburban and semi-urban areas with strong middle-income demographics.
High-traffic retail centers, near shopping plazas, or entertainment districts.
Proximity to universities, residential neighborhoods, and business parks—locations that attract repeat customers and loyal patrons.
Ambitious entrepreneurs looking to build a restaurant portfolio are encouraged to explore multi-unit franchise agreements. Friends American Grill offers reduced franchise fees for additional units and scalable support to streamline expansion.
Investing in a Friends American Grill franchise gives you access to a proven, profitable casual dining concept with strong returns and diverse revenue streams. The brand’s financial structure is designed for long-term sustainability, ensuring franchisees benefit from a low-risk, high-reward business model backed by extensive training, marketing, and operational support.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the estimated financial requirements for owning and operating a Friends American Grill franchise in the USA.
| Category | Estimated Cost (USD) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $35,000 | One-time fee granting rights to operate under the Friends American Grill brand and access to proprietary systems. |
| Total Initial Investment | $450,000 – $750,000 | Includes build-out, equipment, signage, inventory, and pre-opening expenses. |
| Minimum Liquid Capital Required | $150,000 | Minimum cash liquidity required to qualify for franchise ownership. |
| Net Worth Requirement | $400,000+ | Demonstrates financial capacity to sustain and grow operations. |
| Leasehold Improvements / Build-Out | $200,000 – $350,000 | Construction, design, and setup of restaurant interior to meet brand standards. |
| Equipment, Furniture & Fixtures | $80,000 – $120,000 | Kitchen equipment, POS systems, furniture, and décor. |
| Initial Inventory & Supplies | $10,000 – $15,000 | Food, beverages, packaging, and cleaning supplies for launch. |
| Marketing & Grand Opening Budget | $10,000 – $20,000 | Local marketing, community outreach, and opening promotions. |
| Training & Initial Support Fee | Included | Comprehensive pre-launch and operational training for owners and staff. |
| Working Capital (3–6 Months) | $25,000 – $50,000 | Funds to cover initial operational costs until the business stabilizes. |
| Royalty Fee | 5% of Gross Sales | Ongoing fee supporting operational systems, training, and corporate support. |
| National Marketing Fee | 2% of Gross Sales | Contributes to regional and digital brand marketing campaigns. |
| Average Break-Even Point | 18 – 24 Months | Estimated period to reach operational profitability. |
| Expected ROI (Annual) | 15% – 25% | Based on performance, location, and local market engagement. |
| Franchise Term | 10 Years (Renewable) | Standard franchise agreement duration with renewal options. |
Friends American Grill offers multiple revenue channels to maximize profit potential:
Dine-In Sales: Core business driven by lunch, dinner, and late-night traffic.
Takeout & Delivery: Optimized for high-margin online orders and third-party delivery platforms.
Catering Services: Event and corporate catering for community functions.
Beverage Program: Profitable bar sales with signature cocktails and local brews.
Merchandising: Branded apparel and gift cards to boost visibility and loyalty.
With rising demand for casual dining and social dining experiences, Friends American Grill offers a scalable franchise model suited for single-unit and multi-unit investors. Locations perform strongly in suburban and mixed-use areas, benefiting from repeat local traffic and community events.
Disclaimer: The financial figures provided above are estimates based on current market conditions and average operating costs. Actual results and expenses may vary depending on location, lease terms, and other variables.
