Established
1995
Franchise Units
200
Minimum Investment
$350,000
Franchise Fee
$35,000
Total Investment Range
$700,000
Home Based
No
Description
The Flame Broiler franchise represents a proven fast-casual restaurant concept built around simple, healthy, flame-grilled meals that resonate strongly with today’s health-conscious consumers. Known for its signature rice bowls, lean proteins, fresh vegetables, and bold sauces, The Flame Broiler has carved out a distinctive position in the competitive quick-service restaurant space by staying true to one core promise: clean food, cooked fresh, served fast.
Unlike trend-driven food concepts that rely on constantly changing menus, The Flame Broiler focuses on operational simplicity and consistency. The menu is intentionally streamlined, which helps franchisees maintain speed of service, control food costs, and reduce operational complexity. This approach has made the brand particularly attractive in urban, suburban, and high-traffic retail locations where efficiency and repeat business drive profitability.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
Investing in The Flame Broiler franchise provides access to a time-tested operating model backed by a recognized brand in the healthy fast-casual space.
Key investment highlights include:
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Strong alignment with long-term consumer trends toward healthier, protein-focused meals
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Simplified menu that reduces food waste, labor requirements, and training time
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Efficient kitchen design focused on speed, consistency, and throughput
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Established brand awareness in key U.S. markets
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High repeat customer rates driven by affordability and nutritional value
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Scalable unit economics suitable for single-unit and multi-unit ownership
Background
Established Year: 1995
Founders: Young Lee
Industry Category: Fast Casual Restaurant | Healthy Dining | Asian-Inspired Bowls
The Flame Broiler was founded in Southern California with a simple vision: provide healthy, affordable meals made with fresh ingredients and bold flavors, without compromising speed or consistency. The brand’s early success was driven by its focus on grilled proteins, minimal processing, and customizable bowls that appealed to both fitness-minded customers and everyday diners.
Over the years, The Flame Broiler expanded steadily across the United States, particularly in California and neighboring states, building a loyal customer base and strong unit-level performance. Ownership and leadership have remained focused on preserving the brand’s core identity while refining systems, supply chains, and franchise support infrastructure.
Today, The Flame Broiler operates 200+ of franchise locations across the U.S., with continued opportunities for expansion in both established and emerging markets. The brand is widely recognized for its consistency, disciplined operations, and long-term franchisee relationships.
Support Training
The Flame Broiler offers comprehensive support designed to help franchisees succeed from pre-opening through long-term operations.
Pre-Launch Support
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Site selection guidance and market evaluation
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Restaurant layout and kitchen design assistance
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Construction coordination and equipment specifications
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Vendor sourcing and supply chain integration
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Pre-opening marketing and launch planning
Training Programs
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In-depth initial training covering food preparation, operations, and brand standards
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Management training focused on staffing, scheduling, and inventory control
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POS system training and reporting tools
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Food safety, quality assurance, and operational compliance
Ongoing Operational Support
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Field support visits and performance reviews
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Continuous operations coaching and best-practice sharing
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Access to updated systems, procedures, and menu enhancements
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Centralized purchasing and vendor negotiations
Marketing & Brand Support
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National and regional marketing initiatives
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Brand-approved promotional campaigns and digital assets
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Guidance on local store marketing and community engagement
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Ongoing brand development and positioning support
Ideal Candidate
The ideal The Flame Broiler franchisee is a hands-on or semi-absentee owner with a strong interest in food service operations and customer experience.
Best-suited candidates typically have:
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Prior restaurant, retail, or multi-unit business experience (preferred, not required)
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Strong people-management and leadership skills
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Passion for healthy food concepts and operational excellence
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Financial capability to meet investment and working capital requirements
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Commitment to brand standards, systems, and long-term growth
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Willingness to operate in high-traffic urban, suburban, or mixed-use locations
Multi-unit operators and experienced QSR investors may find significant upside through territory development and portfolio expansion.
Financial Detail
| Investment Category | Estimated Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $35,000 |
| Total Initial Investment | $350,000 – $700,000 |
| Minimum Liquid Capital Required | $150,000+ |
| Leasehold Improvements & Build-Out | $150,000 – $300,000 |
| Kitchen Equipment & Fixtures | $90,000 – $150,000 |
| Initial Inventory & Supplies | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| POS System & Technology | $10,000 – $25,000 |
| Pre-Opening Marketing | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Working Capital (3–6 months) | $40,000 – $80,000 |
| Royalty Fee | ~5% of Gross Sales |
| Marketing / Brand Fund Fee | ~2% of Gross Sales |
| Estimated Break-Even Period | 18 – 30 Months |
| Expected ROI | Market & operator dependent |
| Franchise Term | Typically 10 Years (renewable) |
| Franchise Active Units (USA) | 200+ Locations |
