RISE - Menu Monitor

Famous Dave's
Headquarters
12701 Whitewater Drive Suite 200, Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343 USA
Tel: (952)294-1300 Fax: (952)294-1301
www.famousdaves.com
Ownership: Public
Segment: Full Service BBQ
System Characteristics 2006 2005 2004
U.S. Systemwide Sales ($000) 378,000 269,248 224,176
Company-owned ($000) 100,000 89,248 89,176
Franchised ($000) 278,000 180,000 135,000
U.S. Number of Units 145 126 104
Company-owned 41 38 38
Franchised 104 88 66
International Sales ($000) - - -
International Units - - -
Average Sales/Unit ($000) 2,490 2,349 2,300
Concept Positioning |
Famous Dave's has positioned itself as a full-service barbecue “shack” complete with a down-home backyard barbecue menu
and a Southern feel. Famous Dave’s is owned by Famous Dave’s of America Inc. which operates 145 units across the U.S.
Only 41 locations are company-owned.
Units are largely freestanding and follow one of three casual formats. The "Northwoods" style lodge seats 150–260 guests in
its 4,300–7,200 sq. ft. The interior features red-and-white checked tablecloths, weathered barnwood walls, a tin ceiling and
abundant use of rustic '30s and '40s Americana antiques. The "shack" prototype is 2,900 sq. ft. and seats 60. The Blues Club
format features nightly musical entertainment in a Chicago blues-club setting. Its 10,500 sq. ft. seats 250 customers. The chain
also offers takeout and catering.
Famous Dave’s was founded in 1994 in Hayward, WI, by Dave Anderson, who is also co-founder of Grand Casinos, Inc. He
later opened two more units in Minneapolis. In 1996, the company went public. In 1997, a franchising program was started. In
1999, Famous Dave’s completed a sale-leaseback arrangement for three of its restaurants with Franchise Finance Corp. of
America, a national real-estate investment trust. In 2000, the company announced its acquisition of four Red River Barbeque &
Grille sites. Other acquisitions in recent years include two steakhouse units from Timber Lodge Steakhouse, two Hunters
Restaurant & Pub sites and four units of K.C. Masterpiece Barbecue & Grill. Current plans call for the development of more
franchised units.
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