1851

For most brands, becoming a household name is a pipe dream. For <a href="https://www.famousdaves.com/Franchising?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=25-years-later-famous-daves-is-still-the-go-to-for-mouth-watering-barbeque-2709283" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Famous Dave&rsquo;s</a>, however, it&rsquo;s a reality, as is the brand&rsquo;s rise to becoming synonymous with classic American barbeque.

Founded in Hayward, Wisconsin, in 1994, Famous Dave&rsquo;s has seen tremendous growth over the last 25 years, reaching more than 150 locations across the country. Boasting more than 700 national and regional awards for everything from best ribs to best sauce to best cookbook, Famous Dave&rsquo;s is one legacy brand to follow. 

<a href="https://1851franchise.com/" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">1851 Franchise</a> connected with Famous Dave&rsquo;s COO Geovannie Concepcion to learn more about Famous Dave&rsquo;s rise to legacy brand status.

1851: What kind of growth and innovation has Famous Dave&rsquo;s seen in the last few years?

Concepcion: Famous Dave&rsquo;s found its way back to growth by embracing the need to adapt to a new set of expectations from our guests. In order to do this, we had to rethink how we operate as an organization and embrace the idea of being a startup with a long history. Fortunately for us, the evolution of consumer preferences toward really great food that&rsquo;s also convenient coincided with our already-developed muscle: to-go ordering. 

Another key for us was a rapid embrace of <a href="https://1851franchise.com/top-restaurant-trends-to-watch-reservations-management-and-delivery-software-2708988" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">the digital shift happening in the restaurant industry</a>. Our ability to harness technology and increase our digital sales has been key to realizing several quarters of sales growth in our company-operated restaurants. Outside of to-go and technology, we also had to focus on revitalizing the guest experience with new design, d&eacute;cor and branding. 

All of this change has to happen while retaining a sense of what made the brand great to begin with. The only way to do that is with a committed team working toward a common purpose. &nbsp;

1851: What does being a legacy brand mean to you?

Concepcion: It means that we have a special mission to protect that legacy while not becoming shackled by it. Legacy brands reach that point because they&rsquo;ve proven that they possess real staying power. 

For Famous Dave&rsquo;s, the idea that we&rsquo;ll be celebrating our 25th anniversary this year is humbling and astonishing. The important thing to remember, though, is that we must be <a href="https://1851franchise.com/old-concept-shelf-life-restaurants-must-adapt-to-burgeoning-demand-for-delivery-or-fold-2708844" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">constantly evolving</a> because legacies become memories and we have a business that needs to work today.

1851: What advice do you have for other brands looking to grow to more than 100 units and become a household name?

Concepcion: Keep your head down, execute at an extremely high level and look for ways to give your guests an incredible experience. The rest will take care of itself.

Famous Dave's, legacy brand, barbeque franchise, full-service restaurant franchise

25 Years Later, Famous Dave’s is Still the Go-To for Mouth-Watering Barbeque

1851 Franchise

1851 Franchise caught up with Famous Dave’s COO Geovannie Concepcion to learn how the brand has reached legacy status.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

25-years-later-famous-daves-is-still-the-go-to-for-mouth-watering-barbeque

Comfort Keepers

Comfort Keepers - Midyear Press Release 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Comfort Keepers® Hits Mid-Year Stride With Strong Franchise Growth and Rising Demand for In-Home Care

comfort-keepers-franchise-midyear-momentum-2025

petbar

petbar - Garrett Dewan - Why I'm Investing - 1851 Franchise

Why Garrett Dewan Is Choosing To Reinvest in petbar

petbar-franchise-austin-garrett-dewan-multi-unit

Paris Baguette

NJBIZ: Paris Baguette Ramps Up Expansion With New Franchises, Facility and 2030 Growth Target

njbiz-paris-baguette-ramps-up-expansion-with-new-franchises-facility-and-2030-growth-target

Busy Bee Jumpers

Top 10 Reasons To Buy a Busy Bee Jumpers Franchise in 2025

top-10-reasons-to-buy-a-busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-in-2025

Home Halo

home-halo-former-athletes-frachisees-image

Why Former College Athletes Can Make Winning Home Halo Franchise Owners

former-college-athletes-home-halo-franchise

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

Unlocking Superpowers: How KidStrong Is Building the Next Generation of Confident Kids — and Thriving Franchise Owners

kidstrong-franchise-confident-kids

Image of a kid growing up, developing with kidstrong, high fiving and smiling. 

How KidStrong has Become the Franchise Disrupting Child Development by Partnering with Purpose-Driven Franchise Owners 

kidstrong-franchise-opportunity-child-development

Picture of kids for franchise business Kidstrong which focuses on child development and fitness

KidStrong Is Pediatrician-Recommended for Raising Confident, Capable Kids and Families Can't Get Enough

kidstrong-child-development-program

Bringing Robots to Main Street: How Elad Inbar’s RobotLAB Franchise Is Powering the Local AI Revolution

bringing-robots-to-main-street-how-elad-inbars-robotlab-franchise-is-powering-the-local-ai-revolution

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery 

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery in Overland Park, Kansas

paris-baguette-franchise-overland-park-khandelwal

Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

From Corporate Careers to Community Roots: Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

kansas-couple-opens-childrens-lighthouse-gardner-olathe

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

25 Years Later, Famous Dave’s is Still the Go-To for Mouth-Watering Barbeque

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS