The 10 Best Sports Bar Franchises of 2025 in the US

If you’re considering entering the sports bar industry, investing in a sports bar franchise can be a fantastic opportunity. With numerous options available, it can be challenging to determine which franchise best aligns with your goals and experience.

Each franchise offers its own unique benefits, including varied entertainment options, levels of support and training, and market presence, making them suitable for both experienced operators and newcomers to the industry.

The Best Sports Bar & Pub Franchises of 2025

Beef O’Brady’s Family Sports Pub

Franchising Since: 1998
Franchised Units: 102
Initial Investment: $813,000 - $1,475,000
Franchise Fee: $25,000
Royalty Fee: 5.00%

Beef O’Brady’s Family Sports Pub was founded in 1985 by Jim Mellody in Brandon, Florida. It began as a small neighborhood sandwich shop with a limited menu, but after adding Buffalo-style chicken wings, it gained popularity as a community gathering spot.

Over time, it evolved into a family-friendly sports pub with an emphasis on a welcoming atmosphere for watching sports and enjoying American comfort food.

The franchise, headquartered in Tampa, Florida, began franchising in 1998 and now operates over 100 locations across the U.S.

Twin Peaks

Franchising Since: 2007
Franchised Units: 59
Initial Investment: $1,987,000 - $6,048,000
Franchise Fee: $50,000
Royalty Fee: 5.00%

Twin Peaks was founded in 2005 in Lewisville, Texas, by Randy DeWitt and Scott Gordon, with the aim of creating a sports bar experience that went beyond traditional offerings. Twin Peaks is known for its lodge-like ambiance, complete with wood and stone décor, and its “Twin Peaks Girls,” who serve as the franchise’s iconic wait staff.

The restaurant focuses on delivering a unique combination of made-from-scratch food, 29-degree draft beer, and wall-to-wall sports coverage, creating a cozy yet vibrant atmosphere for guests. The franchise began expanding in 2007 and now operates in over 25 states.

Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar

Franchising Since: 2015
Franchised Units: 74
Initial Investment: $1,555,000 - $7,056,000
Franchise Fee: $60,000
Royalty Fee: 5.00%

Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar is a sports bar and restaurant franchise founded in 2003 by former LSU basketball players Brandon Landry and Jack Warner.

The brand combines Louisiana-inspired cuisine with a sports bar atmosphere, offering a unique dining experience.

Walk-On’s began franchising in 2014 and has since expanded to nearly 80 locations across the U.S., with plans for significant growth.

Hooters

Franchising Since: 1986
Franchised Units: 101
Initial Investment: $2,748,000 - $4,100,000
Franchise Fee: $75,000
Royalty Fee: 5.00%

Hooters was founded in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida, by a group of six businessmen who wanted to create a fun, casual dining experience. The restaurant quickly became known for its laid-back atmosphere, friendly service, and its unique combination of sports, food, and entertainment.

With a beach-themed design and a focus on its “Hooters Girls” as servers, Hooters established itself as a distinctive brand within the sports bar and casual dining industry.

The company began franchising in 1986 and has since grown into an international brand with over 400 locations in more than 25 countries. Hooters is famous for its chicken wings, seafood, sandwiches, and burgers, as well as its full bar offering.

Brass Tap

Franchising Since: 2010
Franchised Units: 41
Initial Investment: $783,000 - $1,321,000
Franchise Fee: $25,000
Royalty Fee: 4.00%

Brass Tap was founded in 2008 in Wesley Chapel, Florida, with a focus on offering a wide selection of craft beers in an upscale yet casual atmosphere.

Known for featuring over 60 beers on tap, along with wine and cocktails, Brass Tap has become a favorite for beer enthusiasts. The franchise began expanding in 2010 and now operates in over 30 locations across the U.S.

What sets Brass Tap apart is its strong emphasis on craft beer, combined with local events like beer tastings and live music. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, it delivers a personalized, community-driven bar experience in each of its locations.

Boston’s Pizza Restaurant & Sports Bar

Franchising Since: 1968
Franchised Units: 25
Initial Investment: $1,024,000 - $2,758,000
Franchise Fee: $50,000
Royalty Fee: 5.00%

Boston’s Pizza Restaurant & Sports Bar was founded in 1964 in Edmonton, Alberta, as a casual dining concept with a focus on pizza and a family-friendly atmosphere.

The franchise expanded its presence in the U.S. as Boston’s, offering a combination of delicious pizza, pasta, burgers, and a lively sports bar environment. It began franchising in 1968 and now operates over 400 locations across North America.

Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Boston’s differentiates itself by offering a dual concept—one side as a family restaurant and the other as a sports bar.

Buffalo Wild Wings

Franchising Since: 1991
Franchised Units: 533
Initial Investment: $2,443,000 - $4,830,000
Franchise Fee: $25,000
Royalty Fee: 5.00%

Buffalo Wild Wings was founded in 1982 in Columbus, Ohio. It began as a sports bar and casual dining restaurant specializing in Buffalo-style chicken wings. Jim Disbrow and Scott Lowery started the restaurant when they couldn’t find authentic Buffalo wings in Ohio.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the company started franchising in 1991 and now has over 1,200 locations worldwide.

Buffalo Wild Wings is known for its 26 signature sauces and seasonings, a lively atmosphere, and a sports-centered experience, complete with large screens for watching games.

Bar Louie

Franchising Since: 2006
Franchised Units: 20
Initial Investment: $1,080,000 - $3,974,000
Franchise Fee: $50,000
Royalty Fee: 5.00%

Bar Louie was founded in 1990 in Chicago, Illinois, as a neighborhood bar with a focus on craft cocktails, local beers, and scratch-made food. The franchise began expanding in 2006 and has since grown to multiple locations across the U.S.

Known for its urban, modern vibe, Bar Louie offers a laid-back yet stylish setting where guests can enjoy a wide variety of menu items, from signature cocktails and craft beers to flatbreads, burgers, and small plates.

The Greene Turtle

Franchising Since: 2003
Franchised Units: 31
Initial Investment: from $1,455,000
Franchise Fee: $45,000
Royalty Fee: 4%

The Greene Turtle was founded in 1976 in Ocean City, Maryland, as a sports bar offering a casual, laid-back atmosphere where guests could enjoy food, drinks, and sports.

Over the years, it has evolved into a family-friendly sports bar and restaurant with a menu featuring classic American pub fare like burgers, wings, and seafood. The franchise began expanding in 2003 and now operates in over 30 locations across several U.S. states.

Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, The Greene Turtle differentiates itself by combining a community-centric atmosphere with a focus on local sports events.

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