While O’Charley’s does franchise, opportunities are limited. Over 200 of its locations are owned by the chain itself, while fewer than 10 are franchises. Nonetheless, O’Charley’s says that it is actively looking for franchisees who have a proven track record of success and are interested in opening and operating multiple locations simultaneously.

O’Charley’s Franchise Opportunities - History

In 1969, Charley Watkins opened a restaurant in Nashville Tennessee near Vanderbilt University and named it after himself. After fifteen years, Watkins sold the restaurant to David K. Wachtel who set about turning O’Charley’s into a chain.

O’Charley’s Franchise Cost / Initial Investment / O’Charley’s Franchise

Income

O’Charley’s seeks franchisees who have a net worth of at least three million dollars with at least half of that available in liquid assets. While the franchisee fee and initial investment amounts are not specified, O’Charley’s does state that the investment cannot be leveraged more than 80%.

O’Charley’s Business Opportunities: Other Information

O’Charley’s Inc. Enterprise, the parent company of O’Charley’s restaurants, also runs two other restaurant chains: Ninety Nine Restaurant and Stoney River Legendary Steaks. Individual O’Charley’s restaurants are welcome to customize items on the menu by adding their own local twist to the entrees. To accommodate family gatherings and business meetings, O’Charley’s offers a lengthy list of party platters, which serve six to eight people apiece. O’Charley’s also assists diners who do not have time to dine out or cook with a to-go menu.