---
title: "Cosi to Develop Five Franchises in the Republic of Panama"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/42a9d7ff-4f1c-47ed-b858-6cf41e284137
source: "1851 Franchise"
original_url: https://1851franchise.com/cosi-to-develop-five-franchises-in-the-republic-of-panama-3804
category: "Fast casual"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Fast casual"
published: 2016-03-02T15:10:03.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T12:24:29.069Z
image: https://newimage.1851franchise.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=85,format=webp,width=1280,height=720/story/featureImage/d66ab30728ef0fae70d52a002e465ce56547160302101347.png
---

# Cosi to Develop Five Franchises in the Republic of Panama

**TL;DR:** Cosi is reducing its upfront franchise fee to $5,000 for new and existing franchisees signing a single-unit agreement for a new location. The company 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.

*originally published in 1851 Franchise on 2016-03-02. [Read the original](https://1851franchise.com/cosi-to-develop-five-franchises-in-the-republic-of-panama-3804).*

## Story

We want to create a compelling reason for qualified entrepreneurs who have been considering restaurant ownership to make their move. Reducing the upfront franchise fee significantly lowers one of the initial barriers to entry, but the bigger opportunity comes from opening quickly. If a franchisee opens their restaurant within 12 months, we'll eliminate royalties for that first year and invest alongside them in their grand-opening marketing. We want owners focused on building their business and establishing themselves in the community from day one.

- Initial franchise fee reduced to $5,000 for new and existing franchisees signing a single-unit agreement for a new location
- Franchisees who open their restaurant within 12 months of signing will pay 0% royalties during their first year of operation
- 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.

- No initial franchise fee for existing restaurant owners converting to a Beef ‘O’ Brady’s or The Brass Tap
- Operators who open within 9 months of signing will pay 0% royalties for their first year of operation
- Receive up to $2,500 in matching grand-opening marketing funds

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. “For those operators, a conversion can be an efficient way to join Beef ‘O’ Brady’s or The Brass Tap without starting completely from scratch. By eliminating the franchise fee and first-year royalties for operators who move quickly, we’re making that opportunity even more attractive.”

Both incentives apply exclusively to single-location agreements signed through Dec. 31, 2026. The new incentive comes as FSC continues to build momentum in development across its restaurant portfolio. Through the first half of 2026, FSC opened seven restaurants, including two Beef ‘O’ Brady’s locations and five The Brass Tap locations, while signing five new franchise agreements. 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.

FSC has also continued investing in restaurant development, marketing, technology and operational support while evaluating more efficient prototypes intended to reduce development costs. The new incentive builds on those efforts by reducing initial fees and providing additional support during the critical first year of operation. “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.”

## Entities

- 1851 Franchise (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- franchise development (topic)
- The Brass Tap (company)
- Beef 'O' Brady's (company)
- Newk's Eatery (company)
- restaurant ownership (topic)
- incentives (topic)
- conversion (topic)

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Originally reported by 1851 Franchise (https://1851franchise.com/cosi-to-develop-five-franchises-in-the-republic-of-panama-3804). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/42a9d7ff-4f1c-47ed-b858-6cf41e284137).