1851

Franchising allows businesses to grow without compromising their local feel and qualities. To forget that franchisees are small business owners, is to forget what franchising really is: individuals taking control of their careers with proven business models and a potential for large returns.

Milwaukee&rsquo;s locally owned <a href="https://sobelmanspubandgrill.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=local-milwaukee-restaurant-signs-first-franchise-deal-8508" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sobelman&rsquo;s Pub-n-Grill</a> is choosing to leverage the franchise industry to expand their restaurant in a sustainable way without losing quality and its characteristic charm. The iconic burger restaurant known for its Bloody Marys, owned by Dave Sobelman, is planning to sign franchise deals throughout the Milwaukee metropolitan area in 2017 and beyond.

&ldquo;Dave wants to continue expanding, but he already owns three locations that he&rsquo;s managing,&rdquo; says Rick Robinson, President of <a href="http://services4franchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=local-milwaukee-restaurant-signs-first-franchise-deal-8508" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Services4Franchising</a>, who is consulting Sobelman as he franchises the restaurant. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s been getting inquiries from prospective franchisees for years.&rdquo;

After considering the possibility of franchising for a few years, the restaurant finally signed its first franchisees, Al and Nancy Hochmuth, to open a location in downtown Richfield. And then in September, <a href="http://sobelmanspubgrill.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=local-milwaukee-restaurant-signs-first-franchise-deal-8508" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sobelman&rsquo;s</a> signed their second franchisees, Jimmy Dakolis and Alison Ippolite, who are opening a location in Waukesha in early 2017. Dakolis and Ippolite both have histories working in the bar industry and are using Sobelman&rsquo;s fun brand to break into dining.

&ldquo;We want to get these first two up and running before we look at expanding,&rdquo; says Robinson. &ldquo;Besides other Wisconsin cities we&rsquo;re now looking into the possibility of opening locations in northern Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota.&rdquo;

The Hochmuths are planning to open the first franchise location in a building that is the former home of Italian restaurant Amici&rsquo;s. Located at 1872 State Highway 175, Richfield, the facility is a historic one with lots of character. And as fate would have it, actually resembles the original Sobelman&rsquo;s location on St. Paul Avenue, according to Sobelman. Al hopes to have his Richfield location open sometime in January.

The couple first began considering opening a Sobelman&rsquo;s location while they were dining at the restaurant&rsquo;s Mequon location. Long-time customers, they were eating dinner when they saw a sign that said the restaurant would be franchising. Immediately, Al knew it was something he wanted to do.

Al, who has spent his career working for companies that install and maintain point of sale systems in restaurants, has actually been toying with the idea of opening a franchise for decades. His wife, Nancy, is president of Vikatuke Free Inc., which is based in Brookfield. While Al will put all his efforts into opening their new business, Nancy will continue with her current role.

Sobelman, who currently operates two locations in Milwaukee and one in Mequon with his wife Melanie, is excited about the opportunities franchising brings to his business.

&ldquo;Sobelman&rsquo;s isn&rsquo;t a cookie cutter franchise,&rdquo; says Robinson. &ldquo;Every location is unique and provides a different experience, which our customers love!&rdquo;

Local Milwaukee Restaurant Signs First Franchise Deal

1851 Franchise

Sobelman’s Pub-n-Grill expands business through the franchising industry.

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

local-milwaukee-restaurant-signs-first-franchise-deal

Children's Lighthouse

Discover How Children’s Lighthouse Champions Franchisee Success

childrenslighthouse-franchisee-success-fbc

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Photo of Layne's Chicken Fingers tender basket and drink

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Recognized on Nation’s Restaurant News’ 2025 100 Under 100

laynes-chicken-fingers-recognized-on-nations-restaurant-news-2025-100-under-100

TruBlue Home Service Ally

image of trublue health professional franchisee's

Why the Medical Community Is Investing in TruBlue Home Service Ally

trublue-medical-community-investment-home-safety

Photo of Layne's Chicken Fingers leadership - Matt O'Reilly, Samir Wattar, and Garrett Reed

3 Questions With the Layne’s Leadership Team: What Franchisees Want to Know

laynes-franchise-leadership-questions

Woodhouse Spas

Photo of exterior of Woodhouse Spa location with wooden doors 

How Much Can I Make With a Woodhouse Spa Franchise?

woodhouse-spas-franchise-earnings-profit

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

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

Keurig Dr Pepper Splits in $18 Billion JDE Peet’s Deal, Creating Global Coffee Giant

keurig-dr-pepper-splits-in-18-billion-jde-peets-deal-creating-global-coffee-giant

McDonald’s Rolls Out Major Value Push To Win Back Customers Amid Inflation

mcdonalds-rolls-out-major-value-push-to-win-back-customers-amid-inflation

Photo of Paris Baguette pastries and beverages 

Paris Baguette Celebrates 250th Café Opening in Frederick, Maryland, Accelerating Expansion and Reviving the Neighborhood Bakery Café

paris-baguette-250th-north-america-cafe

Restaurant Chains Open Their Wallets To Jump-Start Franchise Growth - 1851 Franchise

Restaurant Chains Open Their Wallets To Jump-Start Franchise Growth

restaurant-franchise-incentives-cash-royalty-holidays-fee-reductions

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

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

Planet Fitness Franchisees Donate $100K to Support Texas Flood Relief - 1851 Franchise

Planet Fitness Franchisees Donate $100K To Support Texas Flood Relief

planet-fitness-texas-flood-relief

graphic image of a franchisee spotligh aman kaur of voodoo brewing

How This Trio of Friends Is Brewing Up Community With Voodoo Brewing Co. in Prosper, Texas

voodoo-brewing-franchisee-aman-kaur-prosper-texas

Franchise Deep Dive graphic with i9 Sports logo

i9 Sports Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

i9-sports-franchise-cost-fees-profit

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Dan Ellestad and Seniors Helping Seniors logo

How This Marine Veteran Went From Military Service to Senior Care and Found His Purpose in Franchising

seniors-helping-seniors-dan-ellestad

911 Restoration Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

911-restoration-franchise-deep-dive

Local Milwaukee Restaurant Signs First Franchise Deal

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS