Rank no. 225 – Huddle House – US

Products & Services: Family-style diner

Number of Locations: 395

Total Investment: $620.01K – 1.37M

Founded: 1964

Began Franchising: 1966

About Huddle House
Huddle House started in Atlanta in the 1960s. The restaurants cater to travelers, with co-branded interstate locations at gas stations such as Exxon, BP, Citgo, Shell and Texaco. All franchises are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and offer breakfast, lunch and dinner at any time of day. Menus feature steaks, chicken, pork chops and seafood.

Where Seeking Franchisees: Franchisor is seeking new franchise units in the following states:
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Midwest, North Carolina, Northeast, Ohio, South, South Carolina, Southeast, Southwest, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia.

Startup Costs, Ongoing Fees and Financing
Total Investment: $620,011 – $1,377,655
Franchise Fee: $25,000
Ongoing Royalty Fee: 4.75%
Term of Franchise Agreement: 15 years, renewable
Financial Requirements
Net Worth: $600,000
Liquid Cash Available: $300,000
Operations
40% of all franchisees own more than one unit. Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 24. Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (60% of current franchisees are owner/operators).

How This Franchise Supports Franchisees
Training: Available at headquarters: 7 weeks.
Ongoing Support: Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
Marketing Support: Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media,
Franchise Ranking History
Franchise 500®: #225 (2013), #133 (2010),

Huddle House was founded in 1964 by John Sparks. Having already opened a few restaurants under various names, he needed a great name for his restaurant chain. One evening in Decatur, Georgia, he saw a boy meeting friends after football practice holding his helmet in one hand and a football in the other. It looked as if the group were “huddled up” talking and laughing together. It was at that moment he decided that Huddle House was the perfect name for the restaurant chain and it would be the place where folks would gather, or “huddle up,” for great food and good times after Friday night football games. So, with its new name, was born.

Sparks continued to successfully build the HUDDLE HOUSE brand for many years by adhering to his core values of providing great service and serving quality food cooked-to-order so it’s always fresh, hot and delicious. When Sparks passed away in 1978, his wife, Pauline, took the helm until Huddle House was sold to a private firm in 1994.

Although Sparks’ passion to serve quality food in a warm, friendly environment that brings folks together remains intact, much has changed since the first Huddle House opened its doors. New restaurants feature a look that’s bright, colorful and reminiscent of America’s classic neighborhood diners. The menu has grown to include a variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner entrees that take their place beside the “House” classic favorites.

Huddle House is proud to have served guests “Any Meal. Any Time.” for over 45 years and looks forward to serving you for many years to come.

Huddle House Corporate Office
5901 Peachtree-Dunwoody, Suite B450
Atlanta, GA 30328
Phone: 770.325.1300

Source: www.huddlehouse.com