Established
2012
Franchise Units
5
Minimum Investment
$295,000
Franchise Fee
$35,000
Total Investment Range
$650,000
Home Based
No
Description
Lemonade House Grille has carved out a refreshing niche in the American fast-casual dining landscape by combining gourmet comfort food with an unforgettable craft-lemonade experience. Known for its crave-worthy burgers, seasoned fries, sandwiches, wings, salads, and its iconic lineup of fresh-squeezed lemonades, the brand stands out as a modern neighborhood eatery built around flavor, atmosphere, and community roots. Guests love the blend of handcrafted recipes, vibrant branding, and authentic, made-in-house beverages—an identity that sets the restaurant apart in a highly competitive market.
As consumers continue to prioritize premium fast-casual dining with personality and authenticity, Lemonade House Grille has emerged as a go-to destination for families, students, professionals, travelers, and food-lovers who crave elevated comfort food served fast. The brand’s franchise program is structured to help aspiring entrepreneurs bring a proven, high-impact dining concept to their community with strong operational systems, marketing support, and menu innovation that keeps customers coming back.
For franchise investors seeking a lively, profitable, community-driven restaurant concept, Lemonade House Grille represents a rare blend of culinary creativity, accessible entry costs, and strong brand appeal—making it a powerful contender in the USA fast-casual franchise market.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
Investing in Lemonade House Grille means joining a brand built on differentiation, strong repeat-customer demand, and a scalable operating model. Unlike typical burger or sandwich shops, this concept offers a signature beverage category—house-made lemonades—that drives both consumer excitement and high-margin add-on revenue. Menu flexibility, strong visual branding, and a warm guest-centric environment all contribute to strong unit-level performance across markets.
The franchise offers an excellent balance between creativity and operational simplicity. With streamlined kitchen processes, a well-developed supply chain, and efficient staffing structures, franchisees can focus on customer experience and community engagement rather than operational headaches. Combined with modern marketing strategies and consistent menu innovation, Lemonade House Grille is positioned for long-term growth in any U.S. market seeking high-quality casual dining.
For entrepreneurs seeking a food concept that is fun, fresh, and financially attractive, this franchise delivers a compelling investment opportunity.
Background
Lemonade House Grille was founded in 2012 in Missouri with a simple yet compelling vision: create a neighborhood gathering place where handcrafted comfort food meets fresh-squeezed creativity. The brand was launched by John and Jessica Horner, a husband-and-wife duo who wanted to elevate the fast-casual experience with bold flavors, chef-driven recipes, and a beverage program centered around signature gourmet lemonades.
From the beginning, Lemonade House Grille stood out for its unique identity—pairing premium burgers, sandwiches, wings, salads, and loaded fries with an ever-changing menu of fresh lemonades made daily from real ingredients. Their goal was to bring a vibrant, community-first Grille concept to markets hungry for something authentic and fun. As the original location grew in popularity, the Horners realized the brand had the potential to scale while retaining its local-favorite charm.
Over the years, Lemonade House Grille expanded strategically across Missouri and nearby regions, gradually evolving into a recognizable fast-casual franchise. The brand continues to operate with a founder-inspired mindset, emphasizing quality, consistency, and enthusiastic customer service. Today, Lemonade House Grille has 5+ active franchise locations, each maintaining the same commitment to handcrafted food, signature beverages, and warm community engagement.
With strong consumer demand for elevated fast-casual dining, the franchise has become an attractive opportunity for entrepreneurs eager to introduce a proven restaurant concept to their local market. Backed by a leadership team focused on innovation, franchise support, and brand growth, Lemonade House Grille continues to strengthen its presence in the USA fast-casual industry—positioning itself as a standout choice in the competitive burger-and-lemonade category.
Support Training
Lemonade House Grille offers a full framework of support designed to set new franchise owners up for success from day one.
Pre-Launch Support:
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Site selection guidance and demographic analysis
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Lease negotiation assistance
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Architectural layout, restaurant design, and construction support
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Vendor onboarding and supply chain coordination
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Pre-opening marketing plan and community launch strategy
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Step-by-step pre-opening checklist and project management support
Initial Training:
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Multi-week training at a certified training store
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Hands-on instruction in food preparation, beverage development, menu execution, customer service, and inventory control
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Staffing guidance, including hiring templates, training manuals, and onboarding systems
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Restaurant operations setup, including POS configuration and workflow design
Operational Support:
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Access to brand standards, recipes, operational manuals, and SOPs
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Ongoing coaching from franchise support staff
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Periodic field visits to optimize operations and improve performance
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Food safety training and quality assurance programs
Marketing Support:
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National and regional marketing campaigns
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Social media templates, loyalty strategies, and digital advertising support
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Grand opening launch plan and promotional events
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Seasonal beverage and food promotions to drive traffic
Continuous Support:
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Ongoing menu updates and limited-time offers
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Purchasing programs for cost savings
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Access to an online franchisee portal with training videos, resources, and system updates
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Business reviews, KPI tracking, and performance coaching
This comprehensive support structure ensures that franchisees have everything they need to operate confidently, efficiently, and profitably.
Ideal Candidate
Lemonade House Grille is an excellent fit for entrepreneurs who want to build a community-driven restaurant with a fun, memorable brand personality. The ideal candidate is someone who values hospitality, enjoys working with people, and is committed to operational excellence.
The best-fit franchisees typically have:
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A passion for food, hospitality, and customer service
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Experience in management, restaurant operations, retail, or team leadership (preferred but not required)
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Strong leadership skills and the ability to build and motivate a team
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Financial capability to invest in a growing fast-casual concept
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Dedication to maintaining brand standards and quality
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A desire to engage with the local community through events, partnerships, and neighborhood involvement
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Interest in multi-unit ownership as the brand expands
Whether you are a first-time entrepreneur or a seasoned investor, the Lemonade House Grille franchise model is structured to provide an accessible yet scalable opportunity.
Financial Detail
Below is an approximate financial overview based on typical fast-casual franchise requirements. Actual numbers may vary depending on market, size, and specific build-out conditions.
Total Investment Required: $295,000 – $650,000
Minimum Investment Required: $250,000+ in liquid capital
Franchise Fee: Approximately $35,000 – $45,000
Infrastructure & Build-Out Cost: $150,000 – $400,000 depending on location size
Equipment & Interior Setup: $80,000 – $150,000
Marketing Budget (Pre-Launch): $10,000 – $25,000
Working Capital: $20,000 – $50,000 for first 3–6 months
Royalty Fees: Typically 5% – 6% of gross sales
Marketing Fund Contribution: Approx. 1% – 2% of gross sales
Expected ROI: Many franchisees target ROI within 24–36 months depending on sales performance
Break-Even Time: 12–24 months on average
Potential Revenue Streams:
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Dine-in and takeout sales
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Delivery partnerships
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Catering and event orders
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Seasonal beverage promotions
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Add-on lemonade flavor upgrades