Buffalo Business First: Dairy Queen Plans For More DQ Grill & Chills in Buffalo, Upstate

• FSC Franchise Co. has announced a new, limited-time incentive program designed to make restaurant ownership more accessible and accelerate development for two of its concepts, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s and The Brass Tap.

Incentive program details

• The program provides incentives for both new and existing franchisees opening a new Beef ‘O’ Brady’s or The Brass Tap restaurant, as well as existing restaurant operators interested in converting their location to one of the two FSC concepts.

• For new and existing franchisees signing a single-unit agreement for a new location, FSC is reducing the initial franchise fee to $5,000, a $20,000 discount from the standard $25,000 fee.

• Franchisees who open their restaurant within 12 months of signing will also pay 0% royalties during their first year of operation and receive a dollar-for-dollar match on grand opening marketing expenses of up to $2,500.

• FSC is also introducing a separate incentive for existing restaurant owners interested in converting their current location into a Beef ‘O’ Brady’s or The Brass Tap. Qualified operators who sign a single-unit conversion agreement will pay no initial franchise fee, a $25,000 discount.

• Operators who complete their conversion and open within 9 months of signing will also pay 0% royalties for their first year of operation and receive up to $2,500 in matching grand-opening marketing funds.

Conversion incentives

• The conversion incentive is designed to give restaurant operators a lower-cost path to an established franchise system while leveraging existing restaurant space and infrastructure.

• “We want to create a compelling reason for qualified entrepreneurs who have been considering restaurant ownership to make their move,” said Chris Elliott, CEO of FSC. “Reducing the upfront franchise fee significantly lowers one of the initial barriers to entry, but the bigger opportunity comes from opening quickly.”

Company investments

• FSC has also continued investing in restaurant development, marketing, technology and operational support while evaluating more efficient prototypes intended to reduce development costs.

• The company expects to open 18 restaurants across Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, The Brass Tap and Newk’s Eatery by the end of the year.

• “We believe strongly in the future of both Beef ‘O’ Brady’s and The Brass Tap, and we’re willing to invest alongside franchisees who are ready to grow with us,” Elliott said. “There is still significant white space available, and we have a development and support team that knows how to get restaurants open and help operators build momentum.”