Top 10 Full-Service Restaurant Franchises to Watch in 2020

Food remains a popular franchise concept. This makes perfect sense, as restaurants are often run out of passion. Ask just about any restaurant franchisee why they chose to franchise with that particular restaurant brand and chances are they’ll mention their love of the food as one of the major reasons. 

“The full-service restaurant sector has gone through some tough times,” Shuckin’ Shack CEO Jonathan Weathington said. “QSR seems to be king, as average consumers are working longer hours and want more convenience as it relates to food. … I believe we'll continue to see a move toward online ordering, healthier and sustainable product sourcing and experiential dining, with the food only being a piece of the reason a consumer may visit.”

Whether you’re an investor looking to expand your portfolio, a franchisee looking to do the same, or just someone hungry to go into business for yourself, there’s something to be learned from full-service restaurant franchises.

Here are 10 full-service restaurant franchise concepts to watch in 2020.

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s

Locations: 198

Investment range: $806,825 to $1,288,350

Franchise opportunity website: https://beefobradysfranchise.com/

This franchise of family sports pubs prides itself on offering a relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere for sports-watching enthusiasts. While the menu touts normal bar favorites such as chicken wings and grilled proteins, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s also offers lighter options such as salads and gluten-friendly items. Benefits for franchisees include comprehensive training, store opening assistance, marketing support and access to a Franchise Advisory Committee. 

What you can learn from this brand: Earlier this year, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s followed in the footsteps of many of its peers and started testing the meatless Impossible Burger at select locations. If all goes well, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s plans to offer the Impossible Burger across the entire franchise system. This demonstrates the brand’s desire to stay relevant in an age when consumers are more conscious of what they ingest, as well as the impact their eating habits make on the environment. 

Buffalo Wild Wings 

Locations: 1,200 locations in 10 countries 

Investment range: $1,931,200 to $3,750,700 

Franchise opportunity website: https://bwwfranchising.com/

Buffalo Wild Wings got its start in 1982 in Ohio, when Buffalo, New York transplants Jim Disbrow and Scott Lowery craved the kind of wings they had back home. Fast forward to the present day and Buffalo Wild Wings offers an extensive menu that includes 21 signature sauces and seasonings. Buffalo Wild Wings has a very active social media presence, with more than 12 million likes on Facebook alone. In terms of its franchise opportunity, the brand boasts $3.27 million in average unit volume (AUV). 

What you can learn from this brand: The chicken wing brand is doing some major damage control due to two recent incidents. For one, a restaurant manager at a Massachusetts location died after two different cleaning agents were accidentally mixed. Also, 18 African American customers dining in a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant in the Chicago suburb of Naperville were asked to leave their table when a white customer said they did not want to sit next to them. Buffalo Wild Wings responded to the racist incident by firing the involved employees, banning the white customer, meeting with city officials and more. The brand also issued a statement saying it would conduct “sensitivity training throughout our Chicagoland sports bars in response to this incident.” 

Buffalo Wings & Rings 

Locations: 65-plus

Investment range: $1,292,500 to $2,407,000

Franchise opportunity website: https://ownabuffalo.com/

Buffalo Wings & Rings got its start in Ohio in 1984 and ever since has boasted a hands-on approach that focuses on food and flavor. Franchisee benefits include the simplicity of a fast-casual model with the revenue of casual dining. The brand has experienced 10.2% average unit growth year over year for the past 12 years. Buffalo Wings & Rings also had a 6.8% increase in AUV in 2018. 

What you can learn from this brand: Sports bar-type restaurants may be thought of as predominantly male-oriented places, but Buffalo Wings & Rings is very aware that 45% of NFL game watchers, for example, are women. For this reason, the brand “brings gametime excitement to the entire family with more than 50 TVs and Club Level service for every fan.” Similar food concepts who want to boost business should take note and do what they can to attract the ladies. 

Famous Dave’s*

Locations: 150-plus

Investment range: Minimum of $45,000

Franchise opportunity website: https://www.famousdaves.com/Franchising

This barbecue brand got its start in Wisconsin in 1994 and has since won many, many awards for its offerings. (More than 700 awards, to be exact.) That said, Famous Dave’s is far from resting on its laurels. The brand continues to push the innovation envelope. Earlier this year, the brand launched a rewards app and made several additions to its menu in an effort to appeal even further to loyal customers and offer franchisees additional revenue options.  

What you can learn from this brand: Famous Dave’s is committed to sustainability and ethical eating. The brand works closely with mission-driven vendors and suppliers to procure only cage-free eggs by 2025. This is significant, as dietary choices are a leading cause of environmental degradation, according to a study in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS)—and an increasing driver of consumer behavior in 2019. 

Huddle House 

Locations: 340

Investment range: $519,935 to $1,338,075

Franchise opportunity website: https://www.huddlehousefranchising.com/

This brand rightfully evokes cozy imagery. The menu is laden with American-style comfort foods, including biscuit dishes, waffles and pancakes galore. Indeed, this brand truly believes in being the neighborhood diner. Franchisee benefits include flexible store types and an in-house supply chain and distribution system. Managers receive 40 days of training. The brand prefers to have a presence in small towns with populations of 10,000 or less. 

What you can learn from this brand: Huddle House offers breakfast all day, which accounts for almost 70% of sales. The brand just might be on the right track: Many brands are struggling to offer breakfast options to begin with, but Huddle House should probably carry on with business as usual.  

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar

Locations: 15

Investment range: $234,200 to $541,350

Franchise opportunity website: https://www.shuckinshackfranchise.com/

This North Carolina-based brand offers an expansive menu that would satisfy any seafood lover’s dreams. Shuckin’ Shack is environmentally-conscious and committed to sustainability; for example, the brand participates in environmental efforts such as Skip the Straw.

“Internally, operationally, I believe that we'll continue to build out creative ways to avoid waste, maximize product usage for rising food cost mitigation and determine how to best execute off-premise consumption programs for both delivery and catering in 2020,” Weathington said. 

Along with making sure its fresh and flavorful offerings continue to shine, Shuckin’ Shack is also committed to finding creative ways to continue standing out in the market while expanding its footprint. 

“The experiential dining portion has very much intrigued us and that's our number one focus,” Weathington said. “We often talk about ‘authentic coastal environment’ as a hallmark of our brand, and this is the one area that we don't have to recreate. We stand out by staying true to our sustainably sourced products and giving the absolute best experience possible.”

In terms of its franchise opportunity, Shuckin’ Shack boasts a moderate investment, a niche offering, streamlined financial reporting and an average unit volume (AUV) of $1 million. The brand is expanding, with plans to conquer markets such as Texas, Tennessee, West Virginia and Ohio, and it aims to make the discovery process as natural as possible. 

What you can learn from this brand: Shuckin’ Shack may be a coastal brand, but it does just as well at its inland locations and is working to expand throughout the U.S., co-founder Matt Piccinin told Franchise Times. Regardless of where it grows, Shuckin’ Shack is determined to stay true to its laid-back image and only add franchisees who share that mentality. In an age when so many restaurant brands are eager to jump on all kinds of food trends to appeal to the masses, this attitude is refreshing. 

Stacked Pickle

Locations: 10

Investment range: $425,550 and $939,850

Franchise opportunity website: https://buildthepickle.com/

It doesn’t get more Indiana than Stacked Pickle! This sports-themed franchise was founded in 2010 by former Indianapolis Colts player Gary Brackett. The brand prides itself on providing customers with fresh, never-frozen foods and local beers in a family-friendly atmosphere. Stacked Pickle is especially proud of one of its signature dishes, the Fried Pickles. Franchisee benefits include regular onsite visits and accounting and financial coaching. 

What you can learn from this brand: Each Stacked Pickle allows for some restaurant customization. This includes decorating with local sports paraphernalia and featuring local beers on the beer menus. The result? Customers can relax thanks to a right-at-home feel and franchisees can truly establish themselves as staples in their communities. 

TGI Fridays

Locations: 550-plus in the U.S. 

Investment range: $2 million to $6 million

Franchise opportunity website: https://www.tgifridays.com/franchise

TGI Fridays bills itself as “the original casual dining bar and grill” and wants to be the place that provides that genuine Friday feel. And the fun is not just for adults. TGI Fridays has a kids menu, plus a catering menu. In terms of its franchise opportunity, the brand is currently only interested in speaking with multi-unit developers. Support for franchisees includes market analysis and planning, construction and asset management, and expert training and operations. 

What you can learn from this brand: TGI Fridays is committed to sustainability, and its corporate responsibility vows include acquiring chicken that has been processed to the standards of the Global Animal Partnership (GAP). Such efforts resonate with younger diners, who are more loyal to companies actively engaged in combating environmental issues, according to a Modern Restaurant Management report. By appealing to younger diners now, restaurants who commit to sustainability are building a loyal base that will stick around for years to come. 

The Brass Tap*

Locations: 47

Investment range: $780,925 to $1,318,525

Franchise opportunity website: https://thebrasstapfranchise.com/

The Brass Tap was founded in 2007 in Florida with the goal of creating the “Ultimate Beer Bar.” The Brass Tap takes its beer so seriously, in fact, that it even has an app by which customers can figure out what they want their next brew to be. In addition to beer, specialty cocktails and premium wines, the brand offers guests upscale shareables. In terms of its franchise opportunity, The Brass Tap boasts a “nimble” business opportunity that lacks the demands and costs of a full kitchen. 

What you can learn from this brand: As a unique concept with a niche offering, The Brass Tap finds creative ways to stay relevant year-round. This includes providing ideas on which beers to consume with leftover Halloween candy and even with Girl Scout cookies. The brand also finds ways to celebrate National Dog Day. The result: The Brass Tap gets extensive—and often adorable—press coverage, keeping it top-of-mind for consumers and prospective franchisees alike. 

The Melting Pot 

Locations: 100-plus

Investment range: $1,391,820 to $1,774,210

Franchise opportunity website: https://www.meltingpotfranchise.com/

This fondue restaurant chain was founded in 1975 in Maitland, Florida with just three dipping options and has since offered many, many more. The Melting Pot also offers “Fun-Due” for children. The brand’s philanthropic efforts include partnering with St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. There are plenty of markets available for franchising, as well as resale opportunities. Franchisees are expected to be involved in day-to-day operations. 

What you can learn from this brand: With so many brands stressing out over offering the latest innovations in delivery, takeout, meatless menu items and more, The Melting Pot sticks to its mission of giving guests the Perfect Night Out® every time they visit. The brand is not immune from the stresses of everyday restaurant life, but franchisees and employees are mainly there to help guests create special memories. So simple, yet so profound.