Established
2014
Franchise Units
1
Minimum Investment
$233,500
Franchise Fee
$35,000
Total Investment Range
$468,900
Home Based
No
Description
JoJo’s Grill-A-Dog is a bold, modern fast-casual concept built around America’s favorite comfort food—hot dogs—but elevated with gourmet ingredients, fresh-baked buns, bold toppings, and an energetic, community-driven atmosphere. What began as a neighborhood favorite in California has grown into an emerging franchise opportunity that blends fun, flavor, and strong business fundamentals.
Today’s consumer wants food that is quick, familiar, and exciting, and JoJo’s delivers exactly that. The brand is known for its inventive menu, high food quality, and a customer experience that encourages repeat visits. With its flexible store formats, turnkey systems, and a leadership team focused on innovation, JoJo’s Grill-A-Dog stands out as a high-potential franchise opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to enter the fast-casual restaurant industry in the USA.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
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A Unique Twist on a Classic Favorite: Gourmet hot dogs are universally loved—JoJo’s adds creativity, high-quality ingredients, and a memorable flavor experience that creates strong customer loyalty.
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Fast-Casual Growth Momentum: The fast-casual industry continues to expand as consumers prioritize convenience and quality. JoJo’s fits perfectly within this trend.
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Flexible Store Models: Franchisees can choose from traditional storefronts, small-footprint units, or even food-truck concepts, making it easier to adapt to local real-estate conditions.
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Strong Brand Identity: The brand’s fun, community-centric image resonates well in suburban, college-area, and high-traffic neighborhoods across the U.S.
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Early-Stage Expansion Advantage: JoJo’s is still in the early phase of national growth, meaning early franchisees can secure prime territories before the brand becomes widely saturated.
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Supportive Leadership & Proven Processes: Founder-driven passion, tested operational systems, and a commitment to franchisee success make JoJo’s a reliable partner.
Background
Established Year:
JoJo’s Grill-A-Dog was founded in 2014 in Yucaipa, California.
Founders & Leadership:
The brand was created by a passionate founder-led team that focused on elevating America’s classic hot dog with gourmet ingredients and a modern fast-casual experience. The company operates as a California-based LLC with an experienced leadership group overseeing operations, menu innovation, franchise development, and brand growth.
Company History & Brand Journey:
The first JoJo’s Grill-A-Dog restaurant quickly became a local favorite thanks to its handcrafted hot dogs, signature sauces, and a fun, community-driven dining experience. As demand grew, the team refined its processes, streamlined operations, and developed a scalable, franchise-ready model.
In 2021, JoJo’s opened its first franchise location, marking the beginning of its national expansion strategy. Today, the brand is focused on introducing its gourmet comfort-food concept to new markets across the United States.
Franchise Active Units – Current Number:
JoJo’s Grill-A-Dog currently operates 1 franchise unit, alongside its corporate-owned store. The brand is actively expanding and offering open territories nationwide.
Ownership Structure:
JoJo’s Grill-A-Dog is a privately held company operating as a California Limited Liability Company, designed to support franchise scalability, operational consistency, and long-term brand growth.
Market Presence in the USA:
The franchise is positioned in the fast-casual and quick-service restaurant sector, specializing in gourmet hot dogs, corndogs, house-made chips, and specialty dipping sauces. The concept resonates strongly in suburban communities, college towns, lifestyle centers, and high-traffic retail districts.
Industry Category:
Food & Beverage, Fast-Casual Restaurants, Hot Dog & Specialty Food Franchise.
Support Training
JoJo’s Grill-A-Dog offers a complete franchise support structure tailored to help new owners operate confidently and profitably:
Pre-Launch Support
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Assistance with site selection and trade-area evaluation
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Store design, layout planning, and build-out guidance
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Vendor sourcing and equipment installation
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Staff hiring assistance and pre-opening training programs
Training Programs
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Comprehensive operations training covering cooking processes, menu execution, customer service, and inventory management
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In-store hands-on training for franchisees and key staff
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Academic modules covering recordkeeping, financial controls, staffing models, and store management
Marketing Support
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Grand-opening marketing strategies and launch campaigns
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Local store marketing guidance and promotional templates
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Social media support and brand-approved creative assets
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Optional event-based marketing using food trucks and mobile units
Ongoing Support
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Continuous operational guidance from the franchisor
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Regular updates to systems, processes, and menu items
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Field visits and performance reviews
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Access to a collaborative franchisee community to share best practices
Ideal Candidate
JoJo’s Grill-A-Dog is looking for franchise partners who are:
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Entrepreneurial and hands-on: Passionate about operating a customer-facing business with high energy and great service.
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Experienced in food, retail, or hospitality: Prior restaurant or management experience is helpful but not mandatory.
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Financially capable: Able to support the initial investment and maintain working capital through the launch period.
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Community-focused: Comfortable engaging with local communities, organizing store events, and driving local marketing.
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System-oriented operators: Willing to follow proven processes, uphold brand standards, and maintain food quality.
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Growth-minded: Open to multi-unit development and scaling within their territory.
Ideal markets include suburban shopping centers, lifestyle plazas, entertainment districts, college towns, and high-traffic community neighborhoods.
Financial Detail
Initial Franchise Fee:
Approximately $35,000 for a single unit.
Total Investment Required:
Estimated $233,500 – $468,900, which includes:
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Build-out and construction
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Equipment and kitchen setup
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Franchise fee
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Initial inventory
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Furniture and branding
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Working capital reserves
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POS and technology systems
Minimum Investment Requirement:
Entry investment begins at the lower end of the above range, depending on unit size and format.
Infrastructure & Build-Out Costs:
Costs vary based on square footage (typically 1,000–2,000 sq ft), location, and local permitting. Food-truck or mobile unit options may have lower build-out costs.
Marketing Budget:
Initial marketing costs typically cover grand-opening campaigns, social media promotion, local events, and early customer acquisition initiatives.
Working Capital:
Franchisees should maintain sufficient working capital to cover labor, supplies, utilities, and operating costs through the initial ramp-up period.
Royalty Fees & Advertising Fees:
Exact percentages are disclosed in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).
Expected ROI & Break-Even Timeline:
Break-even timelines in the fast-casual category typically range from 12–24 months, depending on location, lease terms, and operational efficiency.
Revenue Streams:
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In-store dining
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Takeout & delivery
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Catering
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Local events
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Food-truck operations (optional)
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Add-on beverages and seasonal menu items