Why A Former Independent Business Owner Is Now Expanding Beef ‘O’ Brady’s in Ooltewah, Tennessee

Growing up around his father’s business, local entrepreneur Tay Cochran always knew he wanted to own one of his own. He got there by building and operating independent coffee shops, learning firsthand what it takes to create a business from scratch. But after years of handling everything from product sourcing and menu development to supplier negotiations, Cochran realized he didn't want to spend the rest of his career rebuilding systems that already existed. He wanted to spend his time growing a business that served his community.

That realization led him to franchising and, ultimately, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s. The brand’s family-first culture appealed to him as much as its operating model. Rather than staying open until 2 a.m. chasing a late-night bar crowd, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s  gave Cochran the opportunity to build a neighborhood gathering place for Little League teams and the broader community. Today, his first Tennessee location has grown into two, with a third already planned, allowing him to focus less on building infrastructure and more on building something lasting where he lives.

Cochran sat down with 1851 Franchise to discuss how his perspective on entrepreneurship evolved and why building a community gathering place became just as important as building a successful busineess. Here's what he had to say:

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

Cochran: My dad owned his own business, so I grew up surrounded by entrepreneurship. I always knew I wanted to follow in his footsteps and build something of my own. That journey originally started in Lebanon, Ohio, where my family owned and operated independent coffee shops. It was an incredible learning experience, but it’s also where I learned the hardest lessons about business ownership.

1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Cochran: Before getting into franchising, we built our own independent coffee shops from the ground up. While it was a great experience, I quickly hit a structural ceiling trying to handle every single detail alone. When you're an independent owner, you are responsible for sourcing products, building menus from scratch, navigating purchasing power, and being physically stuck in the store day in and day out. I realized I didn't want to spend my career reinventing supply chains, menus, and purchasing systems. We started looking at franchises because we wanted the structural support system of an established brand, allowing us to focus on strategic growth and community impact rather than just daily survival.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Cochran: Before joining the system, my perception of franchising was limited to the massive corporate giants like Panera Bread; I didn't really understand how accessible it could be for local operators. Now that I’m on the inside, I want people to know just how vital the infrastructure truly is. Having a well-known brand with proven products makes a world of difference. The comprehensive training, marketing guidance, and corporate purchasing support keep your food costs manageable and give you a massive competitive advantage that you just don't have when you're on your own.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Cochran: The economics made sense—the entry price was right—but the real deciding factor was the atmosphere. We fell in love with the family-friendly sports bar concept. Rather than staying open until 2 a.m. to chase a late-night party crowd, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s intentionally targets active families, sports teams, and local neighborhood gatherings. That focus on family connection and community culture sealed the deal for us.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Cochran: The immediate priority is getting this new Ooltewah-Ringgold Road location firmly on its feet, ensuring day-to-day operations are seamless and the store is successful. Once we hit that baseline, the plan is to start actively looking for our third Beef ‘O’ Brady’s location roughly six months to a year after this grand opening.

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

Cochran: My dad was my inspiration for opening my business. He owned his own so I knew one day I would want to do the same. 

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?

Cochran: My biggest piece of advice is to thoroughly research exactly how much back-end support the franchisor actually provides. You need to spend real time with the executive team and the support staff to ensure their values align with yours. From the very beginning, the team at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s felt like family. Having that level of structural support doesn't limit your entrepreneurial drive—it gives you the foundation to actually scale it.

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/.