TAMPA, Fla. — FSC Franchise Co., the multi-brand restaurant franchisor behind Beef 'O' Brady's, The Brass Tap and Newk's Eatery, finished the third quarter of 2026 with 20 franchise deals signed across its three brands. FSC expects to open 15 restaurants by the end of the year and has another 21 planned for 2027 as it continues to strengthen its portfolio, improve operations and position its concepts for long-term growth.
The strength of the portfolio was also recognized nationally in the 2026 Franchise Times Top 400, with all three FSC brands earning a spot on the annual ranking of the largest franchise systems in the United States. Newk's Eatery ranked No. 244, Beef 'O' Brady's ranked No. 250 and The Brass Tap ranked No. 387.
FSC expects to open six The Brass Tap locations, five Beef 'O' Brady's restaurants and four Newk's Eatery locations by the end of 2026. The company has another 21 openings planned for 2027, with seven for each brand.
"We're doing a lot across all three brands to position them for future growth and maintain margins in a difficult environment," said CEO Chris Elliott. "We're looking forward to 2027 and think it's going to be a pretty good year."
Development activity has been particularly strong in Texas, California and the Mid-Atlantic region. Newk's Eatery is also expanding in Wichita, Kansas, with a second restaurant open in early October. Florida, Texas, North Carolina and Massachusetts remain priority markets for future franchise development, while FSC is exploring an opportunity to introduce Newk's to California for the first time.
The company's newest The Brass Tap restaurants continue to deliver encouraging results. Approximately 10 locations opened within the past 18 months represent the brand's strongest-performing group of new restaurants to date, with annualized sales exceeding $2 million per location. One of the latest openings, The Brass Tap in Warner Robins, Georgia, generated approximately $100,000 in sales during its first week, marking the second-highest-volume opening in the brand's history.
FSC has also seen improvements in franchise lead quality following changes to its development marketing strategy. By updating its franchise websites and placing greater emphasis on public relations and networking, the company is attracting more qualified candidates. Elliott said more than half of the prospective franchisees who attend a Discovery Day ultimately sign an agreement.
For prospective franchisees looking to join Beef 'O' Brady's or The Brass Tap, FSC is also offering a limited-time incentive program through the end of 2026. Qualified new and conversion locations can receive reduced initial franchise fees, first-year royalty relief and matching grand-opening marketing funds. The program is designed to help qualified operators enter the system while FSC continues to expand both brands.
FSC is also working to reduce costs as it brings Newk's Eatery into its shared operating platform. The company expects to save approximately $1.4 million annually through purchasing improvements at Newk's and another $2 million by combining administrative operations across its three brands. FSC is also working on additional changes that could save another $1 million annually through 2027.
Another major priority is updating the positioning of FSC's three restaurant concepts to reflect changing consumer preferences. The Brass Tap is leading that effort, evolving from its traditional craft beer bar identity toward a broader "social house and kitchen" concept that places greater emphasis on food, entertainment and social gatherings.
"We did a lot of research and work trying to look into the future and see where things are going," Elliott said. “People are drinking less, but they still want to socialize and have a good dining experience.”
The changes are expected to bring in more customers, including families and people looking for a place to have lunch. FSC is also updating restaurant designs, layouts and menus. Similar changes are underway at Newk's Eatery, with Beef 'O' Brady's next. The company expects to finish updating all three brands by the end of 2027.
FSC also plans to begin construction on a new Beef 'O' Brady's restaurant prototype in Clearwater, Florida, during the fourth quarter, with an opening expected in early 2027. A new Newk's Eatery prototype is planned for Nashville, Tennessee, and is expected to open in March 2027.
In addition, FSC continues to recognize franchise owners who play an active role in their restaurants and local communities. At its July franchise conference, the company honored top-performing franchisees for their involvement in daily operations and the relationships they've built with customers.
"They're involved in the day-to-day business, and they are passionate about the brands," Elliott said. "They have a strong connection with their customer base and their communities. That tends to be the practical magic that makes it work."
FSC's priorities for the rest of 2026 include opening its remaining restaurants, securing leases for new locations and signing additional franchise agreements. The company is also looking to attract more experienced multi-unit operators who can take advantage of its shared purchasing, marketing and technology resources.
ABOUT FSC FRANCHISE CO.
Founded in Tampa, Florida, FSC Franchise Co. is a leading multi-brand franchisor driving growth and innovation across three dynamic restaurant concepts — Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, The Brass Tap and Newk’s Eatery. With more than 250 locations nationwide, FSC brings together decades of expertise in hospitality, franchising and community engagement under one unified platform. Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, with 120-plus family sports pub locations, serves up classic comfort food and community spirit in a neighborhood-friendly setting. The Brass Tap is a 50-plus-unit craft beer bar and entertainment venue that offers an extensive menu of drinks and food in a vibrant atmosphere. Newk’s Eatery, a 100-unit fast-casual brand founded in Jackson, Mississippi, brings fresh, handcrafted food to guests with a focus on quality ingredients, digital convenience and hospitality. Together, FSC’s brands are redefining what it means to grow a scalable, community-driven restaurant portfolio — offering franchisees the opportunity to diversify within a powerful ecosystem of proven concepts. To learn more, visit: https://www.fscfranchiseco.com/.
FSC Franchise Co.
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The parent company of Beef 'O' Brady's, The Brass Tap and Newk's Eatery expects to open 15 restaurants this year as it updates its concepts and prepares for further expansion.
TAMPA, Fla. — FSC Franchise Co., the multi-brand restaurant franchisor behind Beef 'O' Brady's, The Brass Tap and Newk's Eatery, finished the third quarter of 2026 with 20 franchise deals signed across its three brands. FSC expects to open 15 restaurants by the end of the year and has another 21 planned for 2027 as it continues to strengthen its portfolio, improve operations and position its concepts for long-term growth.
The strength of the portfolio was also recognized nationally in the 2026 Franchise Times Top 400, with all three FSC brands earning a spot on the annual ranking of the largest franchise systems in the United States. Newk's Eatery ranked No. 244, Beef 'O' Brady's ranked No. 250 and The Brass Tap ranked No. 387.
FSC expects to open six The Brass Tap locations, five Beef 'O' Brady's restaurants and four Newk's Eatery locations by the end of 2026. The company has another 21 openings planned for 2027, with seven for each brand.
"We're doing a lot across all three brands to position them for future growth and maintain margins in a difficult environment," said CEO Chris Elliott. "We're looking forward to 2027 and think it's going to be a pretty good year."
Development activity has been particularly strong in Texas, California and the Mid-Atlantic region. Newk's Eatery is also expanding in Wichita, Kansas, with a second restaurant open in early October. Florida, Texas, North Carolina and Massachusetts remain priority markets for future franchise development, while FSC is exploring an opportunity to introduce Newk's to California for the first time.
The company's newest The Brass Tap restaurants continue to deliver encouraging results. Approximately 10 locations opened within the past 18 months represent the brand's strongest-performing group of new restaurants to date, with annualized sales exceeding $2 million per location. One of the latest openings, The Brass Tap in Warner Robins, Georgia, generated approximately $100,000 in sales during its first week, marking the second-highest-volume opening in the brand's history.
FSC has also seen improvements in franchise lead quality following changes to its development marketing strategy. By updating its franchise websites and placing greater emphasis on public relations and networking, the company is attracting more qualified candidates. Elliott said more than half of the prospective franchisees who attend a Discovery Day ultimately sign an agreement.
For prospective franchisees looking to join Beef 'O' Brady's or The Brass Tap, FSC is also offering a limited-time incentive program through the end of 2026. Qualified new and conversion locations can receive reduced initial franchise fees, first-year royalty relief and matching grand-opening marketing funds. The program is designed to help qualified operators enter the system while FSC continues to expand both brands.
FSC is also working to reduce costs as it brings Newk's Eatery into its shared operating platform. The company expects to save approximately $1.4 million annually through purchasing improvements at Newk's and another $2 million by combining administrative operations across its three brands. FSC is also working on additional changes that could save another $1 million annually through 2027.
Another major priority is updating the positioning of FSC's three restaurant concepts to reflect changing consumer preferences. The Brass Tap is leading that effort, evolving from its traditional craft beer bar identity toward a broader "social house and kitchen" concept that places greater emphasis on food, entertainment and social gatherings.
"We did a lot of research and work trying to look into the future and see where things are going," Elliott said. “People are drinking less, but they still want to socialize and have a good dining experience.”
The changes are expected to bring in more customers, including families and people looking for a place to have lunch. FSC is also updating restaurant designs, layouts and menus. Similar changes are underway at Newk's Eatery, with Beef 'O' Brady's next. The company expects to finish updating all three brands by the end of 2027.
FSC also plans to begin construction on a new Beef 'O' Brady's restaurant prototype in Clearwater, Florida, during the fourth quarter, with an opening expected in early 2027. A new Newk's Eatery prototype is planned for Nashville, Tennessee, and is expected to open in March 2027.
In addition, FSC continues to recognize franchise owners who play an active role in their restaurants and local communities. At its July franchise conference, the company honored top-performing franchisees for their involvement in daily operations and the relationships they've built with customers.
"They're involved in the day-to-day business, and they are passionate about the brands," Elliott said. "They have a strong connection with their customer base and their communities. That tends to be the practical magic that makes it work."
FSC's priorities for the rest of 2026 include opening its remaining restaurants, securing leases for new locations and signing additional franchise agreements. The company is also looking to attract more experienced multi-unit operators who can take advantage of its shared purchasing, marketing and technology resources.
ABOUT FSC FRANCHISE CO.
Founded in Tampa, Florida, FSC Franchise Co. is a leading multi-brand franchisor driving growth and innovation across three dynamic restaurant concepts — Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, The Brass Tap and Newk’s Eatery. With more than 250 locations nationwide, FSC brings together decades of expertise in hospitality, franchising and community engagement under one unified platform. Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, with 120-plus family sports pub locations, serves up classic comfort food and community spirit in a neighborhood-friendly setting. The Brass Tap is a 50-plus-unit craft beer bar and entertainment venue that offers an extensive menu of drinks and food in a vibrant atmosphere. Newk’s Eatery, a 100-unit fast-casual brand founded in Jackson, Mississippi, brings fresh, handcrafted food to guests with a focus on quality ingredients, digital convenience and hospitality. Together, FSC’s brands are redefining what it means to grow a scalable, community-driven restaurant portfolio — offering franchisees the opportunity to diversify within a powerful ecosystem of proven concepts. To learn more, visit: https://www.fscfranchiseco.com/.
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