How to Finance a Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Franchise: Sports Pub Costs
By Marc Cornella
A Beef ‘O’ Brady’s franchise loan pays for a full-service family sports restaurant: a dining room built around TV screens, a bar, a complete kitchen and the community events that keep the place busy on game nights. Because the brand targets small and mid-sized towns and pairs a 40-year operating history with a fairly modest franchise fee, the financing question usually centers on build-out, equipment and the owner’s liquidity rather than the franchise fee itself.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Beef ‘O’ Brady’s; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s website and disclosure document can change, loan programs and terms vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to lender review and approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice, and you should review the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and franchise agreement with a qualified franchise attorney and accountant.
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Franchise Loan at a Glance
- New store fee: $43,000, made up of a $25,000 franchise fee and an $18,000 training fee, according to the franchisor’s website.
- Royalty: 4.0% of adjusted gross sales.
- Marketing fund: 2.5% of adjusted gross sales.
- Liquid assets: $300,000 per location.
- Minimum net worth: $1 million per location.
- Total investment: not published on the franchisor’s brand page; the franchisor directs candidates to the current FDD.
- System size: the franchisor reports 130 locations across 15 states.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as “Beef ‘O’ Brady’s” (code S0203), with two notes about leases and real estate purchase options.
What Is Beef ‘O’ Brady’s?
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s opened its first restaurant in Brandon, Florida, in 1985, and the franchisor says that original location is still operating. The brand celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2025. Today it is franchised by FSC Franchise Co., which is based in Tampa, Florida. Spirit nights, team gatherings and local fundraisers are central to how the brand describes itself.
The franchisor calls Beef ‘O’ Brady’s a family sports restaurant “where game time meets family time.” The concept pairs comfort food such as burgers and wings with plenty of TVs showing sports and a come-as-you-are atmosphere.
Built for smaller markets. The franchisor specifically identifies small- to medium-sized towns as a strong fit. Lenders will look closely at population, traffic and local employers to judge whether a smaller market can support a full-service restaurant.
Why lenders view the brand the way they do. Lenders see a long-established system, but a sports pub is still a full-service restaurant with a bar, so they weigh labor costs, liquor licensing, build-out risk and how sales hold up outside major sports seasons.
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Franchise Costs
The franchisor’s brand page lists the up-front fees and owner requirements but states that additional fees, investment details and requirements are disclosed in the current FDD. Before you approach a lender, obtain the FDD and read the Item 7 table, which shows the low and high estimate for each startup cost.
Initial franchise fee and training fee. The franchisor lists a new store fee of $43,000. That total combines a $25,000 franchise fee with an $18,000 training fee.
Real estate and build-out. For most full-service restaurants, leasehold improvements are the biggest variable. A Beef ‘O’ Brady’s may go into a shopping center space, a former restaurant or a freestanding building. Costs include plumbing and grease interceptors, electrical service for the kitchen and screens, hood and fire suppression, bar construction, restrooms and finishes.
Equipment, furniture and audiovisual systems. The kitchen, bar, dining furniture and the audiovisual system that delivers the game-day experience all need to meet brand standards. The equipment section below covers these in more detail.
Opening costs and working capital. Pre-opening payroll, opening inventory, licenses (including any liquor license), deposits, insurance, grand opening marketing and additional operating funds belong in the budget.
Typical Item 7 categories. For a full-service sports restaurant, the Item 7 table generally includes categories such as:
- Franchise fee and training fee ($43,000 combined)
- Lease deposits and rent during construction
- Leasehold improvements or construction
- Kitchen and bar equipment
- Furniture, fixtures and millwork
- Audiovisual equipment and screens
- Computer and point-of-sale systems
- Opening inventory of food and beverages
- Liquor license, business licenses and insurance
- Pre-opening training expenses and grand opening marketing
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Royalty. The franchisor lists a royalty of 4.0% based on adjusted gross sales. Because it is a percentage of sales, it rises in strong months and falls in slower ones.
Marketing fund. The franchisor lists a marketing fund contribution of 2.5%. Together with the royalty, that is 6.5% of adjusted gross sales paid to the franchisor and the marketing fund before rent, food, labor and debt service.
Other recurring costs. Check Item 6 of the FDD for technology, software, transfer, renewal and other recurring fees, as well as any requirements for local marketing or periodic remodeling.
How lenders factor fees into cash flow. A lender starts with projected sales, subtracts food and beverage costs, labor, occupancy, royalty and marketing contributions, and then compares the remaining cash flow with annual debt service. Projections should show quieter months as well as football season.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
The franchisor’s financial requirements are per location, which directly affects how much capital a multi-unit candidate must show.
- Liquid assets: $300,000 per location.
- Net worth: a minimum of $1 million per location.
- Background: the franchisor says restaurant experience matters less than leadership, people skills, a willingness to learn and commitment to the community. Its franchisees include former teachers, first responders, flight attendants, military veterans and stay-at-home parents.
- Owner profile: the franchisor describes its ideal owner as a “hands-on facilitator and nurturer.”
The approval process. Candidates start with an inquiry to the franchisor’s development team, review available territories, receive the FDD and work through the franchisor’s qualification and approval steps before signing.
Ways to Own a Beef ‘O’ Brady’s
A new restaurant. Opening a new location means financing construction, equipment and opening costs before the restaurant has any sales history. Lenders rely on your liquidity, your management plan and a well-supported business plan. Our restaurant start-up financing page explains how we approach new builds.
Converting a second-generation restaurant space. Taking over a former restaurant that already has a hood, grease interceptor and bar plumbing can reduce build-out costs, though the space still needs to be brought to brand standards. Read more about financing a franchise conversion.
Buying an existing location. Existing Beef ‘O’ Brady’s restaurants change hands from time to time, sometimes when a longtime owner retires or when a manager steps into ownership. A resale comes with sales history, staff and equipment, so lenders can underwrite actual results. The franchisor must approve the transfer, and the buyer may need to complete training and any required updates. See our guide to buying a franchise resale.
Multi-unit development. Some owners sign agreements to develop several restaurants in a region. Because the franchisor’s capital requirements apply per location, each additional restaurant raises the liquidity and net worth a developer must show.
Financing Options for a Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Franchise
Most owners combine sources to build a Beef ‘O’ Brady’s franchise loan package.
SBA 7(a) loans. Because the brand is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, the SBA 7(a) loan program is a natural fit for a first restaurant. A single 7(a) loan can cover leasehold improvements, equipment, the franchise and training fees, opening inventory and working capital, and longer repayment terms can ease cash flow during the ramp-up period.
SBA 504 loans. When an owner buys land and builds a freestanding restaurant, or buys the building it will occupy, the SBA 504 loan program can finance the real estate and long-lived equipment.
Conventional term loans. Owners with strong credit, substantial liquidity or an existing restaurant track record may prefer conventional business loans, which can offer more flexible structures and fewer program-specific requirements.
Equipment financing. Kitchen equipment, bar coolers and draft systems, walk-in refrigeration, point-of-sale terminals and the audiovisual package can be financed separately so the equipment debt matches the useful life of the assets. Learn more about restaurant equipment financing and leasing.
Working capital and lines of credit. A sports restaurant’s cash needs move with the sports calendar. Inventory and staffing ramp up for football season, playoff runs and major events, while some months are quieter. A line of credit or working capital loan can help with pre-opening payroll, opening inventory and those seasonal swings. See our restaurant working capital options.
Seller financing on resales. When buying an existing restaurant, a seller may agree to carry part of the price. A seller note is typically subordinate to the senior lender, and SBA and conventional programs may limit how it is structured or repaid.
SBA Loans for Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Franchisees
SBA lending for franchises depends on the SBA Franchise Directory, which lists brands whose franchise agreements have been reviewed for SBA eligibility. A listing means the franchise relationship itself is eligible for SBA review; each borrower still has to qualify. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change.
The directory listing. Beef ‘O’ Brady’s appears on the SBA Franchise Directory as “Beef ‘O’ Brady’s” under code S0203. The listing carries two notes, both of which apply when real estate is part of the deal:
- Lease documents: when the real estate where the restaurant is located will secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, certain lease-related documents (a Conditional Assignment and Assumption of Lease, an Addendum to Lease Agreement and an Agreement to Lease) may not be executed. In plain English, if you own the property and pledge it as collateral, the franchisor’s standard lease paperwork should not be layered on top of that real estate.
- Purchase options: the franchisor may not enforce a purchase option on real estate that is owned by the franchisee or its affiliate and taken as collateral for the SBA loan. That protects the lender’s collateral position on the property.
If you plan to buy or build, have your attorney and lender review how the notes apply to your documents.
SBA application tips. Prepare a personal financial statement, tax returns, a résumé, the FDD and franchise agreement, the lease or purchase contract, construction bids and month-by-month projections. Our SBA loan calculator can help with early payment estimates, which are for planning only and are not an offer or approval.
How Lenders Evaluate a Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit, tax returns and past business results, and typically require personal guarantees.
Net worth and liquidity. The franchisor’s per-location minimums set a floor. Lenders also look at the cash you will have left after your equity injection, because a new restaurant needs reserves while it builds a customer base.
Industry and management experience. Restaurant or hospitality management and team leadership help; without them, show how training and an experienced manager will close the gap.
Business plan and projections. Projections should reflect the local market’s size, the sports calendar, bar sales as a share of revenue, labor needs for a full-service dining room and the 6.5% combined royalty and marketing contribution. Our guide on how lenders read a Franchise Disclosure Document explains which FDD items support those assumptions.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review the franchise term, renewal and transfer provisions (Item 17), fees (Items 5 and 6), the investment estimate (Item 7) and whether the FDD includes financial performance representations (Item 19). The remaining franchise term should generally extend at least as long as the loan.
Site, lease or real estate. Lenders review lease length, renewal options, rent and any tenant improvement allowance, along with parking, visibility and liquor license availability for the site.
Historical financials for resales. For an existing restaurant, expect to provide several years of profit and loss statements, sales reports and tax returns so the lender can verify performance.
Equipment and the Game-Day Experience
A Beef ‘O’ Brady’s has three equipment zones that a lender will want to see priced out. The kitchen needs fryers, grills, refrigeration, prep tables and ventilation sized for wings, burgers and appetizers. The bar needs coolers, draft beer systems, ice machines and glass washing. The dining room depends on an audiovisual system with many screens, sound and the controls to show multiple games at once.
Audiovisual gear has a shorter useful life than kitchen equipment, so some owners finance it on shorter terms. Ask the franchisor which vendors and specifications are required, and get written quotes for your loan package.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
Owners who succeed with one restaurant often look for a second in a nearby town. Because the franchisor requires $300,000 in liquid assets and $1 million in net worth per location, a developer needs to plan how capital will be rebuilt or supplemented between openings.
Financing a second or third restaurant. Lenders usually finance each restaurant separately, with later loans supported by the cash flow of earlier units. A development agreement sets the opening schedule your financing must meet. Our article on financing an area development agreement explains how to match capital to a development schedule.
Real-World Scenarios
A first-time owner in a small town. A former school administrator with no restaurant background meets the capital requirements. She uses an SBA 7(a) loan for build-out, equipment and working capital, hires an experienced general manager and builds projections around local school sports and community events.
A manager buying the restaurant he runs. A longtime general manager arranges to buy the location from its retiring owner. The lender underwrites the restaurant’s actual results, and the seller carries a small subordinated note the lender approves.
An owner buying the building. An existing franchisee buys a freestanding former restaurant building for a second location and uses an SBA 504 loan for the real estate. Her attorney checks the lease documents against the directory notes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Building projections around peak football weekends instead of a full year
- Underestimating the audiovisual and bar costs that set a sports pub apart
- Leaving the liquor license timeline and cost out of the opening budget
- Forgetting that capital requirements apply to each location in a multi-unit plan
- Pledging owned real estate without reviewing the SBA directory notes
- Spending all available liquidity on the build-out and leaving no reserves
For more pitfalls that apply across the industry, read about the restaurant loan mistakes that cost owners the most.
Next Steps to Finance Your Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Franchise
Step 1: Confirm you meet the requirements. Make sure you have at least $300,000 in liquid assets and $1 million in net worth for each location you plan to open.
Step 2: Request the FDD and review it with advisors. Study Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17 and 19 with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 3: Talk with a financing specialist. Learn early how SBA and conventional lenders will size a loan for your project.
Step 4: Choose your market and site. Evaluate population, traffic, local sports interest, liquor license availability and lease terms.
Step 5: Build your budget and projections. Gather construction bids, equipment and audiovisual quotes and a month-by-month operating forecast.
Step 6: Apply for financing. Submit your loan request with your financial statements, tax returns, résumé, FDD and site documents.
Step 7: Close, build and open. Coordinate funding with construction and training.
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does it cost to open a Beef ‘O’ Brady’s?
The franchisor’s brand page lists a $43,000 new store fee and refers candidates to the current FDD for the full investment. Total cost depends on whether you finish a shell space, convert a former restaurant or build, so check the Item 7 table.
What is the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s franchise fee?
The franchise fee is $25,000, plus an $18,000 training fee, for a total new store fee of $43,000.
What royalty and marketing fees does Beef ‘O’ Brady’s charge?
The franchisor lists a 4.0% royalty and a 2.5% marketing fund contribution, both based on adjusted gross sales.
How much liquid capital do I need?
The franchisor requires $300,000 in liquid assets and a minimum net worth of $1 million per location.
Is Beef ‘O’ Brady’s on the SBA Franchise Directory?
Yes. It is listed under code S0203, with notes about lease documents and purchase options when real estate secures the loan. Qualified borrowers can apply for SBA 7(a) and 504 financing, subject to lender approval.
Do I need restaurant experience?
The franchisor says leadership and community commitment matter more than restaurant experience. Lenders still weigh management experience heavily for a full-service concept, so first-time owners should plan for an experienced general manager and reserves beyond the minimum.
Can I get a Beef ‘O’ Brady’s franchise loan to buy an existing restaurant?
Yes, subject to franchisor transfer approval and lender underwriting. An existing restaurant’s financial history often makes underwriting more straightforward than a new build.
Can I finance the TVs and kitchen equipment separately?
Often, yes. Equipment financing can cover kitchen, bar and audiovisual equipment, preserving cash for build-out and reserves.
Does Beef ‘O’ Brady’s offer financing?
Review Item 10 of the current FDD for any financing the franchisor offers. Most franchisees arrange their own SBA, conventional or equipment financing.
How long is the franchise term?
The term, renewal rights and transfer conditions appear in Item 17 of the FDD and in the franchise agreement.
Final Thoughts
A Beef ‘O’ Brady’s franchise loan is a full-service restaurant loan with a sports and community twist. Owners who meet the per-location capital requirements, price out the bar and audiovisual package carefully and build projections for a full year rather than a single season are best positioned for approval.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners and buyers finance new units, acquisitions, equipment, working capital and refinancing. Learn more about our franchise financing and restaurant financing solutions.
