Bar Louie Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2024)

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise in a snapshot

Initial franchise fee
$50,000
Investment required
$1,080,000 - $3,975,000
Royalty fee
5.00%

Bar Louie: Revolutionizing the Casual Dining Experience

Bar Louie is a distinctive and dynamic franchise that has made a mark in the casual dining and bar sector. Founded in 1990 by restaurateurs Roger Greenfield and Ted Kasemir, the first Bar Louie location opened in Chicago's vibrant River North neighborhood. 

This area, known for its art galleries and loft spaces, provided the perfect backdrop for Bar Louie's unique blend of oversized sandwiches, creative martinis, and a lively atmosphere. The concept quickly gained a following, prompting the founders to expand the brand.

Headquartered in Addison, Texas, Bar Louie began franchising in 2006 and has since grown to multiple locations across the United States. The franchise is known for its warm, urban ambiance featuring hand-laid tile mosaics, hardwood floors, and exposed brick walls, creating a welcoming environment for guests. 

Bar Louie differentiates itself by targeting an underserved niche between quick-casual and casual dining, offering a menu that includes a wide range of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and entrees, all at reasonable prices.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure Amount (Low) Amount (High)
Initial Franchise Fee $50,000 $0,000
Travel/Living Expenses for Initial Training $25,000 $80,000
Business Licenses and Permits $10,000 $400,000
Professional Fees $2,500 $25,000
Promotional Materials and Supplies $3,000 $10,000
Rent and Security Deposit $60,000 $160,000
Utility Deposits $3,000 $15,000
Insurance (including workers' comp.) $31,000 $35,000
Construction Costs $500,000 $1,800,000
Architect Fees $30,000 $100,000
Branding Materials/Graphic Design $5,000 $25,000
Initial Inventory $50,000 $64,000
Kitchen & Bar Equipment $60,000 $360,000
Smallwares $40,000 $50,000
Point-of-Sale System $25,000 $50,000
Fixtures, Tables, Chairs, and Office Equipment $70,000 $350,000
Artwork $10,000 $50,000
Signage $20,000 $75,000
Grand Opening $10,000 $50,000
Additional Funds (6 months) $75,000 $225,000
TOTAL $1,079,500 $3,974,500

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Number of units

2023
Franchised units

21

21

20

Company-owned units

50

49

47

Total units

71

70

67

Franchise Disclosure Document

Training 

Bar Louie provides comprehensive training to ensure that franchisees are well-equipped to run a successful location. This training program is designed to cover all aspects of operating a Bar Louie franchise, from day-to-day operations to long-term business management.

Duration and Location
The initial training program spans several weeks and is conducted both at the Bar Louie headquarters and at an existing Bar Louie location. This combination of classroom and hands-on training ensures that franchisees receive a thorough understanding of the brand and its operations.

Classroom Training
The classroom portion of the training focuses on key business aspects, including financial management, marketing strategies, and human resources. Franchisees learn about the brand’s unique positioning in the market, customer service standards, and the operational protocols that have contributed to Bar Louie's success.

On-the-Job Training
Following the classroom training, franchisees participate in on-the-job training at an existing Bar Louie location. Here, they gain practical experience in food preparation, service, and day-to-day management. This hands-on training helps franchisees understand the operational flow, from kitchen management to front-of-house service, ensuring they are prepared to deliver the Bar Louie experience to customers.

Territory Protection

Bar Louie offers franchisees territory protection, ensuring that they have an exclusive right to operate within a defined geographic area. This means that within the designated territory, no other Bar Louie franchises will be established, helping to prevent market saturation and allowing franchisees to maximize their customer base and market potential.

This territorial protection is designed to provide franchisees with a stable and predictable business environment. By limiting competition from within the brand, Bar Louie ensures that franchisees can fully capitalize on their investment and build a loyal customer base in their area without worrying about encroachment from other franchise location.

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