Famous Dave's Announces of 23 New Franchise Commitments

Famous Dave's of America has signed a new Franchise agreement for the development of 20 new restaurants with Northwood Ventures, LLC. To create Northwood Ventures, financier Robert Emerson teamed with operating partners who have over 40 years of experience in multiunit operations such as Applebees and Chili's.

Famous Dave's also announced additional development commitments by a current franchisee. Mercedes Restaurant, Inc., will develop 3 additional restaurants in Indiana in an expansion of their franchise agreement. The franchise agreement previously covered its Famous Dave's Restaurant in Bloomington, Illinois.

"It's exciting to see that as we open new markets with new franchisee partners, our existing franchisees are increasing their commitments, as well. We are confident Northwood Ventures will successfully introduce the Famous Dave's brand into new markets that hold great potential. Our franchised efforts over the last 18-months have yielded 72 restaurant commitments, 13 of which are already open. This growth, along with the additional commitments made by Mercedes Restaurant, Inc. is a testament to the value of Famous Dave's as a franchise opportunity," said Mark Bartholomay, Famous Dave's Vice President of Business Development.

Northwood Ventures has committed to a five-year development of 20 restaurants in New Hampshire and portions of Massachusetts (including Boston), the New York counties of Nassau, Sulfolk and Westchester, Northern New Jersey, and Fairfield County in Connecticut.

Famous Dave's owns, operates and Franchises barbeque restaurants and blues clubs. The company currently owns 35 locations and franchises 13 locations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia and South Dakota and has signed development agreements for an additional 59 franchised locations. Famous Dave's menu features award-winning barbecued and grilled meats, along with a wide selection of sandwiches, salads, side items, and signature desserts.