Famous Dave’s vs TGI Fridays
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Famous Dave’s and TGI Fridays are full-service restaurants franchises. Famous Dave’s requires an investment of $71K – $6.1M while TGI Fridays requires $1.4M – $4.5M. In terms of revenue, TGI Fridays reports higher average unit revenue at $5.0M. On SBA loan performance, TGI Fridays has a lower charge-off rate (10.0%) compared to Famous Dave’s (11.1%). FranchiseVerdict rates Famous Dave’s F (Bottom Quintile) and TGI Fridays F (Bottom Quintile).
| Metric | Famous Dave’s | TGI Fridays |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | FBottom QuintileBottom Quintile | FBottom QuintileBottom Quintile |
| Investment Range | $71K – $6.1M | $1.4M – $4.5M |
| Franchise Fee | $45K | $50K |
| Royalty Rate | 5.0% | 4.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $2.4M | $5.0M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 11.1% (15 loans) | 10.0% (10 loans) |
| Total Units | 116 | 120 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1998 | 1978 |
| FDD Year | 2024 | 2025 |
Investment Range
$71K – $6.1M
$1.4M – $4.5M
Franchise Fee
$45K
$50K
Royalty Rate
5.0%
4.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$2.4M
$5.0M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
11.1% (15 loans)
10.0% (10 loans)
Total Units
116
120
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1998
1978
FDD Year
2024
2025