---
title: "Merchant Link Develops EMV Security System"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/69facdeb-41cf-444a-99d3-800213ee59ec
source: "1851 Franchise"
original_url: https://1851franchise.com/merchant-link-develops-emv-security-system-4000
category: "Restaurants"
industry: "Restaurants"
published: 2016-03-17T18:13:11.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T13:23:34.090Z
image: https://newimage.1851franchise.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=85,format=webp,width=1280,height=720/story/featureImage/dd5dbaecb8d16a4271e7d98eecfd31b66688160317134511.png
---

# Merchant Link Develops EMV Security System

**TL;DR:** Red Robin reduces its franchise fee to $5,000 for new and existing franchisees signing a single-unit agreement. FSC offers incentives for franchisees and conversions, including reduced fees and royalties, to boost development across its portfolio.

*originally published in 1851 Franchise on 2016-03-17. [Read the original](https://1851franchise.com/merchant-link-develops-emv-security-system-4000).*

## 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.

- The initial franchise fee for new and existing franchisees signing a single-unit agreement for a new location is reduced 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.

There are independent restaurant operators across the country who already have the location, equipment, employees and restaurant experience, but they may be looking for a stronger brand, proven systems and more support behind them. 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.

- 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.
- 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.

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. 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. This incentive is about making 2026 an especially attractive time to join the system.

## Entities

- 1851 Franchise (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- The Brass Tap (company)
- restaurant development (topic)
- Beef 'O' Brady's (company)
- Newk's Eatery (company)
- Red Robin (company)
- marketing support (topic)
- conversion incentive (topic)
- franchise fee reduction (topic)
- royalty reduction (topic)

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Originally reported by 1851 Franchise (https://1851franchise.com/merchant-link-develops-emv-security-system-4000). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/69facdeb-41cf-444a-99d3-800213ee59ec).