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Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: A Louisiana-themed sports bar and restaurant offering Cajun-inspired dishes, burgers, seafood and family-friendly sports viewing.
Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux is a full-service, Louisiana-themed sports bar and restaurant franchise. The model is built around a “walk-on athlete” mentality for a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere.
Walk-On’s was founded in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, by Brandon Landry and Jack Warner, who were walk-on basketball players for Louisiana State University. The two were driven by an underdog mindset and their passion for food and community. In 2015, Drew Brees joined the ownership team.
Mission: To deliver a memorable game-day-type experience every day with authentic Louisiana hospitality, scratch-made food and a strong team culture.
Vision: To be the leading sports dining destination and unite communities and sports fans under a shared “walk-on” spirit.
Walk-On’s is currently offering franchise opportunities nationwide. Prospective owners can contact the development team for more information on opportunities in their specific market.
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a Walk-On's franchise ranges from $2,051,300 to $6,577,500. The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Standard Footprint | Smaller Footprint | ||
Min | Max | Min | Max | |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $60,000 | |||
| Initial Training Program Expenses | $20,000 | $30,000 | $20,000 | $30,000 |
| Opening Support Fee | $40,000 | $20,000 | ||
| Management Salary Expense | $120,000 | $130,000 | $50,000 | $75,000 |
| Leased Real Property | $110,000 | $280,000 | $62,500 | $160,000 |
| Construction & Leasehold Improvements | $500,000 | $4,000,000 | $700,000 | $1,500,000 |
| Equipment | $500,000 | $800,000 | $400,000 | $600,000 |
| Furniture & Fixtures | $85,000 | $300,000 | $40,000 | $70,000 |
| Hand Wares, Small Appliances & Uniforms | $65,000 | $85,000 | $40,000 | $70,000 |
| Computer, Television Audio & Point of Sale Systems | $250,000 | $350,000 | $100,000 | $200,000 |
| Initial Inventory | $35,000 | $50,000 | $30,000 | $50,000 |
| Security Deposits, Utility Deposits, Business Licenses & Other Prepaid Expenses | $1,000 | $7,500 | $1,000 | $7,500 |
| Liquor License | $300 | $25,000 | $300 | $10,000 |
| Professional Fees | $5,000 | $20,000 | $5,000 | $20,000 |
| Signs | $30,000 | $90,000 | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Architect & Engineering Fees | $50,000 | $120,000 | $30,000 | $50,000 |
| Grand Opening Charitable Donation | $5,000 | |||
| Grand Opening Marketing Funds | $20,000 | |||
| Pre-Opening Labor | $55,000 | $65,000 | $25,000 | $35,000 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $100,000 | $60,000 | ||
Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee for Walk-On’s is $60,000, due when the franchise agreement is signed.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2026 FDD, Walk-On's franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty | 5% of gross revenues/week |
| System Advertising Contribution | 2% of gross revenues/week |
| Regional Advertising Cooperative, if Established | 1-3% of gross revenues, paid on a schedule established by the cooperative |
ROI Potential: According to the 2026 FDD, the 66 franchised restaurants and four affiliate-owned restaurants reported the following gross revenue data for 2025:
| Restaurant Type | Average Yearly Gross Revenues | Median Yearly Gross Revenues | High Yearly Gross Revenues | Low Yearly Gross Revenues |
| Franchised Restaurants (66) | $4,420,387 | $4,403,505 | $6,699,043 | $2,287,802 |
| Affiliate-Owned Restaurants (4) | $5,117,501 | $5,697,808 | $6,158,300 | $2,916,089 |
| Franchised & Affiliate-Owned Restaurants (70) | $4,460,222 | $4,462,222 | $6,699,043 | $2,287,802 |
Walk-On’s provides site selection guidance, test-fit layouts and architectural specifications to help franchisees throughout the build-out process. The franchisor also takes the lead on the grand opening marketing strategy, which is funded by the mandatory $20,000 opening fund outlined in Item 7.
Walk-On’s offers an eight-week training program for up to six people. It is mandatory for the general manager (or the franchisee, if they will serve as general manager), all restaurant managers and the executive kitchen manager.
The training process includes 25 hours of classroom training at “Walk-On’s University,” hosted at corporate headquarters.
Walk-On’s franchisees have ongoing access to the support team for consultations and site visits. The franchisor also manages the national advertising fund and offers guidance on local advertising efforts.
Franchisees use a designated point-of-sale system and accounting software and have ongoing access to Walk-On’s “Center Court” portal, which hosts manuals, operational playbooks and other brand updates.
Candidates need previous restaurant or hospitality industry experience, and they must have the scaffolding in place to properly develop their designated market(s).
Each restaurant requires a full-time general manager. If the franchisee does not serve as the GM, their intended manager must be fully trained and approved and have decision-making authority.
Walk-On’s does not offer direct or indirect financing.
“I’m having more fun than I’ve ever had and more fun than you should be allowed to have and call it a job. It hits on all cylinders … It’s been a lot of fun. It’s been a lot of work. But the reward is so much sweeter.”
- Matt Roth, Franchisee — Birmingham, Alabama
The sports bar sector continues to show steady growth, supported by ongoing consumer interest in social dining, live sports viewing and community-based gathering places. The sports bar market is expected to grow from $25.7 billion in 2025 to $38.1 billion in 2033. This projected growth reflects sustained demand for venues that combine food, drinks and shared experiences centered on sports and entertainment.
Walk-On’s competes with brands like Buffalo Wild Wings, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s and Twin Peaks but differentiates itself with its Louisiana-inspired menu items and family-friendly atmosphere.
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