To help us more quickly expand to new markets and trade areas, we are seeking sophisticated restaurant operators with experience building out entire markets. At this time, we are not pursuing single-site franchise agreements.
Our ideal candidate to become a franchise market developer is a successful full-service, multi-unit operator with expertise in one or more large markets (e.g. the top 75 MSAs in the United States). We are seeking entrepreneurial organizations that can thrive in our flexible franchise environment, while having access to growth capital and capital reserves, but experiencing growth constraints with their current restaurant concept(s).
We seek high-visibility end cap spaces in anchored specialty retail centers, lifestyle centers, entertainment districts and mixed use developments. We will also consider pad sites adjacent to higher-end retail centers or higher-end regional malls.
The prototype restaurant is intended to occupy either a 5,500 square-foot retail center end cap with an adjacent 800-1,200 square foot patio space, or a pad for a freestanding building and patio of similar size.
Seating capacity of the prototype is approximately 175 interior seats and 75 seasonal patio seats.
Because of our significant happy hour and bar business, we look for locations with 20:1 parking availability, or approximately 110 spaces.
We require the ability to install our prototypical exterior signage package and storefront/tower elements, subject to local zoning and building approval.
We evaluate the feasibility of conversions of existing restaurants on a case-by-case basis.
Our brand is what differentiates us in the marketplace and we and our franchisees both nurture the brand and protect it fiercely.
We offer comprehensive franchise support including culinary and purchasing support, marketing support, pre-opening training and opening support, ongoing operational reviews, and recruiting assistance upon request.
CULINARY AND PURCHASING
We offer full-scale culinary management through online programs that allow each restaurant to customize site-specific menus and manage their product orders and recipe manuals. We negotiate national contract pricing for key ingredients and for proprietary products and make the negotiated pricing available to both corporate and franchise restaurants.
OPERATIONS AND TRAINING
Succeeding at Houlihan’s means consistently executing to our high brand standards. To this end, we offer a comprehensive management training program and on-site pre-opening team training as part of our restaurant opening support program. Ongoing support includes operational inspections and feedback, written materials and advice for ongoing restaurant management.
MARKETING
We work with our franchisee partners to help them meet their marketing and advertising objectives while protecting the brand. All advertising and marketing material is generated by our in-house creative team; national and local marketing programs are developed by marketing brand managers for both corporate and franchise restaurants.
RECRUITING
We can assist and provide fee-based recruitment of management employees for your restaurant upon request.