FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Houlihan’s Franchise

Houlihan’s is a stylish, full‑service American casual‑dining and bar chain known for approachable, elevated food and an energetic bar‑and‑grill atmosphere. Founded in 1972 in Kansas City and now headquartered in Leawood, Kansas, the brand blends classic American restaurant favorites with contemporary service and design, targeting families, professionals, and casual‑dining patrons. Houlihan’s operates about 35 company‑owned and franchised locations across 15 states, with roughly 60% of units franchised, and historically pursued aggressive national expansion backed by growth‑focused capital. The company emphasizes a modern bar‑driven concept in a compact footprint, making it attractive in suburban and mixed‑use markets.

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Why buy a Houlihan’s Franchise?

Houlihan’s offers an established casual‑dining and bar concept with a modern prototype, strong brand identity, and a long‑term goal of hundreds of locations nationwide. Franchisees benefit from training, operational support, purchasing synergies, and territory protections, giving them a turnkey platform in a category where consumers consistently seek social, in‑restaurant experiences. Buying a Houlihan’s franchise allows an experienced operator to scale within a structured, expanding brand positioned at the intersection of food, bar, and community‑driven dining.

Houlihan’s Franchise Costs & Information

  • Minimum Qualifications

    • Initial Franchise Fee

      $40,000 – $50,000

    • Initial Investment

      $1,960,000 – $4,194,000

    • Cash Requirement (Liquid Capital)

      $500,000 minimum

    • Net Worth Requirement

      $2,000,000 (typical requirement)

  • Royalty

    • Royalty Fee

      4%

      of gross sales

  • Training & Support

    • Opening support

    • Ongoing support

    • Marketing support

Houlihan’s – Additional  Information

  1. Franchisee Support

    Houlihan’s provides franchisees with culinary and purchasing support, custom marketing programs, and comprehensive pre‑opening and opening assistance, including training and operational setup. Franchise partners receive ongoing operational reviews, recruiting help, and guidance on positioning the brand within smaller, community‑oriented sites. Territory protections are part of the franchise model, and the brand looks for sophisticated, multi‑unit partners with full‑service restaurant experience who can leverage the support system for consistent unit performance.

  2. Accolades & Awards

    While Houlihan’s is not widely publicized in major franchise‑awards lists, it has been recognized as a leading modern casual‑dining and bar concept in trade and growth announcements. The brand has been described as a “stylish, casual dining leader” in national press coverage highlighting its expansion and financing rounds, underscoring its reputation for an upscale‑casual, neighborhood‑focused experience.

  3. Industry / Market

    The U.S. casual‑dining and bar‑and‑grill segment has seen steady demand driven by experiential dining, off‑premise orders, and consumer appetite for affordable, social‑setting restaurants. Industry‑specific growth projections at launch suggested roughly 10–15% annual unit growth over several years, with Houlihan’s targeting 300–500 locations long‑term as it expands with company‑owned and franchised units. Dining‑out spending and full‑service restaurant traffic trends support continued demand for differentiated, neighborhood‑oriented casual brands like Houlihan’s.

  4. Ideal Owner

    The ideal Houlihan’s franchisee is a sophisticated, multi‑unit operator with a strong background in full‑service restaurants and a genuine passion for the dining and bar industry. They should be comfortable managing large‑ticket real‑estate projects, leading sizable teams, and implementing brand‑driven operations and marketing. Ideal candidates are growth‑oriented, financially qualified, and focused on building a portfolio of branded casual‑dining locations within protected territories.

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