Huddle House Soars As A Small-town Brand And Top Franchise

Huddle House’s iconic small-town appeal continues to add up to big-time brand success. 

With more than 400 restaurants open or under development, Atlanta-based Huddle House is on a roll, with a bread and butter development strategy sharply focused on making its vibrant presence known in smaller markets. 

Known for its “Any Meal, Any Time” reputation, Southern hospitality, and healthy portions at fair prices, Huddle House is a 55-year old iconic brand which has developed into a hometown classic restaurant franchise, says Tim Linderman, Huddle House’s newly named Chief Development Officer (CDO). 

“Customers in these small to middle size towns are definitely more appreciative when a recognizable brand such as Huddle House comes to town,” explains Linderman. “We quickly become the ‘big fish’ in a growing town. In many cases, we are the only family dining selection for a particular area and serve the need for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. From a development standpoint, the cost to build a restaurant and do business in a small town is more favorable.” 

 Linderman brings a wealth of extensive development know-how to the brand. Before joining Huddle House, he spent more than 17 years in the franchise industry, serving in various development roles for Marble Slab Creamery, Arby’s, and Primrose Schools.  Most recently, Linderman served as CDO for Global Franchise Group, where he oversaw franchise sales, real estate, construction and International activities for Great American Cookies, Marble Slab Creamery, Pretzelmaker, MaggieMoo’s, Hot Dog on a Stick, and Round Table Pizza. His proven track record of growing brands through franchising is set to accelerate Huddle House’s expansion in key markets throughout the country.

 “Currently, we have identified more than 2,000 trade areas throughout the United States that meet the demographic requirements for a Huddle House and fit the needs, which we have found successful,” Linderman says. “We still have infill areas in many markets around the ones that we're serving now, and we're expanding into new regions of the country, such as Texas, Florida, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Illinois to name a few. Small town America recognizes Huddle House, and we want to be a part of them.”

 For franchise partners, Huddle House serves up a local brand with a national presence and a proven operations team that provides robust franchise support. The brand seeks continued expansion with that local ‘small-town hero,’ looking to be a difference-maker in their community. 

“We have found that a lot of those people are recognized and very influential, which can be a perfect recipe for success,” notes Linderman. “But, it doesn't need only to be someone local. The need for family dining and a safe and warming place to gather is apparent. Many of our franchise owners own multiple units in multiple towns. They have been very successful because of their understanding of how to run restaurants and take advantage of synergies that multiple stores of the same brand offer.”

Named one of the Top 200+ Franchises by Franchise Times and ranked among Thrillist’s list of “Regional Breakfast Chains that Should Be Everywhere,” Huddle House is hungry for explosive growth through a dual strategy of corporate and franchise expansion. 

“At Huddle House, our mission is bringing friends and families together over delicious food served from the heart,” Linderman says. “We are in the right place and the right time to deliver on those words. We are truly looking forward to making Huddle House small-town America’s place to gather.” 

For information on the Huddle House franchise opportunity, visit huddlehousefranchising.com.

SPONSORED BY:

Learn More