Huddle House Franchise Costs, Fees & Owner Salary (2023)

INVESTMENT

$558,000

-

$1,443,000

LOCATIONS

295

Emily

Updated

May 2, 2024

Is

Huddle House

a franchise?

Yes,
Huddle House
currently
accepts
franchise
applications

Huddle House, a well-known American casual dining franchise, was founded by John Sparks in April 1964 in Decatur, Georgia. The name "Huddle House" is inspired by the act of huddling in football, aiming to provide a 24-hour eatery where fans could gather after "the big game" on Friday nights.

The franchise is currently headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Huddle House began franchising in 1966, allowing the brand to grow its presence and offer its Southern-style dining experience to a wider audience across the United States.

The brand differentiates itself by offering a wide range of homestyle food without the fuss, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner at any time, which caters to a broad audience. Huddle House emphasizes bringing friends and family together over delicious food served from the heart, aiming to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere in each of its locations.

This approach to dining, combined with its extensive menu options and flexible dining hours, sets Huddle House apart from its competition in the casual dining sector. Huddle House stands out in the competitive $285 billion breakfast category, offering a flexible business model that allows franchise owners to maximize prime real-estate opportunities in their markets.

How many

Huddle House

franchises

are there?

In 2022, there were
295
outlets in
the United
States, of which
242
are franchises, and
53
are corporate-owned.

What are the

Huddle House

franchise

fees?

Advertising fee

4.00%

Initial Franchise Fee ($25,000 - $35,000)

  • The initial franchise fee for a single Huddle House restaurant is typically $35,000. However, if you qualify for Huddle House's incentive program, the fee may be reduced to $25,000.

Royalty (4.75% of Gross Sales)

  • Franchisees are required to pay a continuing weekly royalty fee of 4.75% of their Gross Sales.

Advertising (4% of Gross Sales)

  • Franchisees are required to contribute 3% of their Gross Sales to the advertising fund.
  • The advertising fund is used to cover costs related to marketing, advertising, public relations, promotional programs and materials, and other activities that promote and enhance the image of the Huddle House System.
  • Initiatives may include advertising through various media channels, in-store programs, community programs, loyalty programs, online ordering, promotions, and more.
  • Franchisees are also required to spend at least 1% of their Net Sales on local advertising and promotional activities on a quarterly basis. However, there are periods when the company may require these monies to be contributed to the advertising fund instead.

Note: The fees presented here can be found in the Item 5 of the Franchise Disclosure Document. For a complete list of all the fees borne by the franchisee, please consult the Franchise Disclosure Document.

How much does

it cost

to start a

Huddle House

franchise?

It costs between
$558,000
and
$1,443,000
to start a
Huddle House
franchise.

For those considering a franchise opportunity with Huddle House, the investment varies based on the type of unit. The "New Development Unit," typically involving leasing the land and building while purchasing equipment and signs, requires an investment ranging from $561,635 to $1,443,175.

On the other hand, the "Non-Traditional Unit" demands an investment between $558,035 and $1,403,675. Below are detailed breakdowns of the investment:

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $35,000
Training Fee and Travel and Living Expenses $23,000 - $47,000
Real Estate – Rent for First 3 months $16,600 - $25,000
Improvements $160,000 - $723,000
Equipment and Seating $170,000 - $300,000
Signs and Décor $32,000 - $75,000
Site Engineering/Civil Plans $8,000 - $21,000
Architectural/MEP Drawings $5,000 (Reopen) - $30,000 (Ground-up)
Travel Expenses for Opening Guide Meeting $0 - $750
Smallwares, Small equipment, Opening Inventory and Uniforms $28,000 - $52,000
POS System $15,500 - $25,000
Help Desk and Maintenance (total for first 3 months) $735 - $825 Monthly
Hardware and Software Components - Computer Security $1,200 - $2,000
Other Computer and Technology Expenses $2,100 - $3,100
Grand Opening Promotion $3,000 - $5,000
Miscellaneous Opening Costs $4,000 - $8,500
Security Deposit $7,500 - $15,000
Additional Funds - 3 Months $50,000 - $75,000
Total $561,635 - $1,443,175

Note: The table above provides a snapshot of the main costs associated with starting the most common franchise format (as disclosed in the Item 7 of the Franchise Disclosure Document). For a complete overview of all the expenses involved with the various formats offered by the franchisor, please consult the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Does

Huddle House

provide

training

to its

franchisees?

Yes,
Huddle House
provides
training

Huddle House, a prominent name in the franchise industry, stands out with its robust training program designed to equip its franchisees with the necessary skills and knowledge. Let's delve deeper into what Huddle House offers to its franchise partners.

Huddle House's commitment to excellence is evident in its extensive training period, which spans up to 40 days. The training is meticulously designed to cover all aspects of the franchise operations, ensuring that either the franchisee or their designated manager is well-versed with the brand's standards and operational procedures.

Beyond the initial training, the world of franchising is ever-evolving. Huddle House recognizes this and might require its franchisees to undergo additional training sessions.

Does

Huddle House

provides

territory

protection?

Franchisees of Huddle House are granted the right to operate at a specific location. The rights provided are confined to the designated location. There is no mention of an exclusive territory being provided to the franchisees.

The franchise agreement also contains certain restrictive covenants. For instance, during the term of the agreement, neither the operator nor any third-party operator of the host facility can display or sell any type of food product that is similar to those sold at the unit. This ensures that the franchisee's operations remain distinct and in line with the brand's offerings.

Can a

Huddle House

franchise

be run as

a passive

investment?

The franchise must be operated either by the franchisee or by a designated manager. Huddle House recommends that franchisees personally supervise the operation of their franchise.

Additionally, during the first two months after the franchised business opens to the public, the franchisee or one of the owners with at least a 10% equity in the franchisee entity must serve as an on-premises designated manager for a minimum of 30 peak operating hours per week.

This designated manager must be certified by Huddle House as meeting its qualifications and must complete Huddle House's initial training program within 60 days of designation.

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