Huddle House launches franchise incentive program for 2021, with zero dollar franchise fee

Huddle House, a U.S.-based casual dining franchise with over 400 locations open or in development, is entering 2021 by launching a new franchise incentive program to attract fresh investment.

Running through February 28, 2021, the new program includes a brand-new restaurant prototype optimized for off-premise dining, as well as a handful of other perks:

• $0 franchisee fee if location opens on time

• No royalty fees applied for the first year of operation, if location opens on time

• New pick-up window prototype ready to build to optimize off-premise dining

• Helps reduce investment costs

“While 2020 threw some curveballs, our team huddled up and adapted swiftly allowing the brand to continue expanding its reach even during these uncertain times,” said Michael Abt, Huddle House CEO. “As the financial landscape has changed, we want our new incentive program to make franchise ownership more accessible to those eager to own a Huddle House.

“After trial and success, we felt that adapting the restaurant prototype will help franchisees get the most out of their location as they can serve customers through off-premise channels as well. We are looking to 2021 with optimism and feel that our ground-work in 2020 will continue to benefit new and existing franchisees.”

Before the pandemic, only around 30 Huddle House locations had integrated online ordering. By the end of the year, 92 per cent of open locations now offer delivery via third-party delivery companies, providing curbside, delivery, and pick-up options. Off-premise sales now make up more than 20 per cent of the brand’s overall sales, which Huddle House is planning to increase with these new incentives and build-out.

“After seeing franchisees like Robert Wiggins in Georgia have success at his locations by creating pick-up windows and drawing new lanes for curbside pick-up in his parking lot, we knew we had to accelerate our off-premise capabilities,” said Jessica Ray, Huddle House’s director of franchise marketing. “As our team is in the hunt for new energized leads to start the new year strong, shifting the focus to carry out and delivery dining has helped make Huddle House a solid investment for entrepreneurs.”