Ford's Garage
Food & Beverage · Burgers & Fries
Description
What is Ford's Garage?
The restaurant is renowned for its gourmet burgers, made with premium Black Angus beef and topped with all-natural aged cheeses and fresh toppings. Each burger is branded with the Ford's Garage logo on the bun, showcasing their attention to detail. Beyond burgers, the menu features a diverse selection including comfort food favorites, fresh salads, fish dishes, and their famous tower of onion rings served on an oil funnel.
The bar program is equally impressive, offering a extensive selection of craft beers, signature cocktails, and wine. A unique feature at many locations is their frozen drink rail that keeps beverages ice-cold. The restaurant's commitment to theme extends to every detail, from the oil-rag napkins held by hose clamps to the bathroom sinks made from tires.
Ford's Garage has earned a reputation for providing exceptional service in a family-friendly environment while maintaining a high-energy atmosphere that appeals to car enthusiasts and food lovers alike. Their commitment to quality food, unique ambiance, and memorable dining experience has helped them rapidly expand across multiple states, particularly in areas with strong automotive heritage.
- Unique auto-themed dining experience
- Premium positioning above sector average
- Strong gross revenue performance
- Experiential concept drives social sharing
- Licensed Ford brand partnership
- Merchandise revenue diversification opportunity
Location Analysis
Where Ford's Garage wins
The brand's geographic footprint shows strategic concentration in the Southeast and Midwest regions, with a strong presence in Florida. The expansion pattern includes notable market penetration in Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana, and Texas, indicating methodical market development. Their presence in diverse markets, from Florida's entertainment districts to Midwest territories, showcases adaptability to varying demographic segments.
Ford's Garage typically performs well in middle to upper-income areas with strong daytime population and evening entertainment districts. The concept excels in lifestyle centers and mixed-use developments that generate both dining and retail traffic. Success factors include proximity to commercial districts, household incomes above $75,000, and areas with active dining scenes.
Expansion opportunities exist in untapped Southeast and Mid-Atlantic markets, particularly in states like Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas, where similar casual dining concepts have proven successful. The brand's track record since 2014 suggests potential for continued growth through both infill development in existing territories and strategic entry into adjacent markets.
Loading map...
Is your territory available?
Let's find out.
We'll take you through a few quick questions, then Ford's Garage confirms availability directly.
Financial Analysis
The numbers behind Ford's Garage
The casual dining segment faces ongoing challenges from changing consumer preferences toward fast-casual formats and delivery-focused models. However, experiential dining concepts like Ford's Garage benefit from consumers seeking unique, Instagram-worthy experiences that justify higher price points and drive repeat visits.
With 24 units since 2014, Ford's Garage represents a relatively young franchise system still building market presence and operational infrastructure. While this limits proven scalability data, it offers early-stage growth potential for qualified investors. The reported gross revenue of $6.25M substantially exceeds sub-sector averages, though investors should verify this represents typical unit performance through FDD review.
Ideal candidates require substantial liquid capital and restaurant industry experience given the operational complexity of full-service dining. The concept demands strong local market demographics with sufficient disposable income to support premium casual dining. Multi-unit development opportunities may exist as the system expands, though territory availability and franchisor growth strategy require evaluation. Prospective investors should thoroughly analyze local market competition, demographic alignment, and operational requirements before proceeding.
Financing partners
Vetted partners, tailored to franchisees
Your Franzy advisor can connect you with these partners later in the process — competitive rates, specialized in franchise financing.
FranFund
CRF USA
Nonprofit SBA lender; provides financing for franchise acquisitions, startups, and expansion.
First Bank of the Lake
Pension Pros
FDD Item 7
Initial investment range
Per FDD Item 7, total initial investment ranges from $3,651,800 to $6,533,000. The midpoint $5,092,400 is what most franchisees report at signing — financing typically reduces cash-at-close by 80–90%. Knowing the investment range helps you plan confidently and ensure you're fully prepared to make the leap.
FDD Item 19
Average gross sales
According to Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document, Ford's Garage has an average gross revenue of $6M. (Note: This information is based on the latest FDD in our records. Please review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and confirm this information directly with the brand. We make no claims of accuracy for the information presented.)
Growth over time
Franchise footprint
2024 Franchise Disclosure
FDD documents
Below are items 2, 3, 4, 7, 11 and 19 for Ford's Garage's 2024 FDD. The complete FDD is delivered to you directly by the franchisor, per the FTC Franchise Rule.
Connect to download Items 2, 3, 4, and 11 — direct from the franchisor.
Buyer FAQs
Frequently asked questions
The initial investment for a Ford's Garage franchise typically ranges between $3,651,800.00 and $6,533,000.00. This includes the franchise fee, equipment, real estate, and other startup costs. To get a detailed breakdown and better understand the financial requirements, we recommend scheduling a call with the Franzy team. We'll walk you through the specifics and answer any questions you might have. For more detailed information, refer to the financial sections of the FDD.
Disclaimer. The information provided on this page is based on the latest Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) that is publicly available and that we have on record, which was issued in 2024. This information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal, financial, or business advice. We make no guarantees or claims regarding the completeness or accuracy. For the most current and detailed information, we recommend consulting the franchisor directly for the most recent FDD and regarding any questions that you may have about the information provided.
Franchises for you
Brands worth comparing
Other brands in the same vertical and investment band — recommendations based on what you've explored.
