“A Happy Hour, Every Hour”: How These Guests Went From Regulars to Owners at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s

Danyele and Tommy Barnes had been regulars at their local Beef 'O' Brady's in Oviedo, Florida, for nearly 20 years before taking ownership of the restaurant in March 2020. The couple and their son had celebrated birthdays there, shared family dinners and gotten to know the owners, staff and other customers along the way.

Eventually, their relationship with the restaurant led to an unexpected opportunity. As Tommy and Danyele prepared to retire from careers in public service — Tommy after 25 years as a firefighter and Danyele after 23 years as a nurse — the previous owners, who had become close friends, offered them the chance to take over the business.

The move gave the couple an opportunity to stay connected to a place and community that had already been part of their lives for years. But almost immediately after becoming owners, that relationship was tested.

Just 17 days after Tommy and Danyele took over the restaurant, COVID-19 restrictions threatened their business. The customers they had gotten to know as regulars soon became some of the people helping them make it through those first difficult months.

“They would order a single side of fries just so they could legally buy buckets of beer, setting up camp chairs, tents and cornhole boards in our parking lot,” Danyele said.

After nearly 20 years as customers, Tommy and Danyele had become part of the community surrounding the restaurant. When they suddenly found themselves trying to keep it afloat as owners, that community showed up for them.

Today, that relationship still shapes how the couple runs the restaurant. They want customers to feel like they are among friends when they walk through the door, whether they have been coming for years or are visiting for the first time.

“We try to make it a happy hour, every hour,” Tommy said.

Tommy and Danyele sat down with 1851 Franchise to discuss how they went from Beef ‘O’ Brady’s regulars to franchise owners and what they have learned along the way. Here’s what they had to say:

1851 Franchise: Tell us your story in one sentence.

Tommy Barnes: We went from regulars to restaurant owners.

1851: What was happening in your life that made you realize it was time to make a change?

Danyele Barnes: We both decided to retire from our public service jobs, and we were friends with the previous owner. He offered us the opportunity.

1851: Why did you choose this franchise over every other opportunity?

Tommy: We've spent so much time at our local Beef ‘O’ Brady’s and we just became really close with the community and the owners. But overall, Danyele and I, we have one son, and we ate out quite a bit and every time we ate there it was always consistent, clean, good food, good environment and good people.

1851: What is it really like owning a Beef ‘O’ Brady’s franchise?

Tommy: The struggle is real. It's very challenging but rewarding and the payoff is meeting so many people and working within the community.

Danyele: In my personal opinion, it's definitely hard work, but it's very rewarding. So, the payoff is quite satisfying.

1851: What’s it like owning a franchise as husband and wife?

Tommy: It brought us closer together to work on something more than ourselves.

Danyele: We try to split our shifts so that we're not on top of each other, but occasionally we are working together and feeding off of each other's energy.

1851: If your best friend had enough money to buy this franchise tomorrow, what would you tell them?

Tommy: I would highly recommend to any friends or anyone asking to buy into the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s franchise. Just by the support of our franchise and our owners — the support we get, the marketing we get, the consistency of the menu — I would definitely tell them it's worth it!

1851: What's the one thing you wish someone had told you before you bought this franchise?

Tommy: How consuming it would be, the sweat equity, but I don't think we sacrificed anything. I think we gained from it all.

ABOUT BEEF 'O' BRADY'S:

Beef 'O' Brady's is a franchise of family sports pubs that provides the perfect atmosphere for friends and families to watch the game and grab a bite. With a focus on providing value without sacrificing quality, the Beef 'O' Brady's menu features delicious family favorites like award-winning wings, fresh Angus burgers, crisp salads, USDA Choice Cut sirloin and grilled salmon, along with a kids' menu and a full bar for the adults. Beef 'O' Brady's is strongly dedicated to community involvement through ongoing partnerships with local schools, youth sports leagues and other community groups. Beef 'O' Brady's currently operates 120 locations in 21 states. For more information about franchising opportunities, visit http://www.beefobradysfranchise.com/.