About Hickory River Smokehouse Franchise
Hickory River Smokehouse is a barbecue restaurant franchise founded in 1994 and franchising since 2003.
The brand is known for its slow smoked meats, homestyle sides, and a warm, inviting dining atmosphere that celebrates the tradition of authentic American barbecue.
Each location offers brisket, pulled pork, ribs, smoked turkey, and a selection of signature sauces.
Hickory River Smokehouse Franchise Cost & Fees
Minimum Investment
$315K
Average Investment
$495K
Maximum Investment
$675K
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $30,000 | One-time payment upon signing |
| Royalty Fee | 5% of Gross Sales of gross sales | Ongoing; paid monthly |
| Marketing/Ad Fund | 3% of Gross Sales | National brand fund |
| Total Investment Range | $315,000 – $674,500 | Includes build-out, inventory, working capital |
The investment range of $315K–$675K reflects variability in build-out costs, store size, lease terms, and market. The combined royalty (5% of Gross Sales) and marketing fee (3% of Gross Sales) are ongoing costs paid as a percentage of gross sales.
Investment Breakdown (Item 7)
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Lump Sum Franchise Us Agreement Leasehold | $73,500 | $175,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures and | $80,000 | $250,000 |
| Signage | $15,000 | $25,000 |
| As Incurred As Incurred Approved Suppliers Computer | $4,500 | $6,500 |
| Lease & Utility Security Lessor and Utility | $500 | $15,000 |
| As Incurred As Incurred Hotels, Restaurants Grand Opening Us, Media, Printers, O | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Beer and Wine Appropriate State/Local | $750 | $5,000 |
| Authorities or Third Party Your Attorneys and Other Professional Fees | $1,000 | $10,000 |
| As Arranged As Arranged Professionals Business License and Appropriate State/Loc | $250 | $1,000 |
| As Arranged As Arranged Permits Authorities or Third Party Opening Team Travel | $6,500 | $8,000 |
| If you hire an architect other than our approved architect, you must submit buil | $3,000 | $5,000 |
| We currently require a Toast system that can be purchased for | $4,500 | $6,500 |
| plus monthly subscription fees that vary depending on hardware from | $2,000 | $3,500 |
| We estimate that the monthly rent for your restaurant premises will range from | $15 | $40 |
| Is to Be Made Furniture, Fixtures and | $315,000 | $430,000 |
| Signage | $15,000 | $25,000 |
| As Incurred As Incurred Approved Suppliers Lease & Utility Security Lessor and U | $500 | $15,000 |
| As Arranged As Arranged Authorities or Third Party Your Attorneys and Profession | $1,000 | $10,000 |
| As Arranged As Arranged Other Professionals Appropriate State/Local Business Lic | $250 | $1,000 |
| As Arranged As Arranged Authorities or Third Party Opening Team Travel | $6,500 | $8,000 |
Additional Fees (Item 6)
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transfer Fee | $5,000 |
| Renewal Fee | $5,000 |
Financing (Item 10)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Financing Available | No |
| Description | No specific financing arrangements disclosed. |
Hickory River Smokehouse Franchise Earnings — Item 19
Hickory River Smokehouse does not make an Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD. This means they do not disclose revenue, profit, or earnings data for franchised locations. Before investing, ask the franchisor directly for franchisee contact information so you can speak with existing owners about their actual financial performance.
Hickory River Smokehouse does not include an Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD. Contact information for current and former franchisees is listed in Item 20 of the FDD.
Hickory River Smokehouse Litigation & Risk Flags
Clean Litigation RecordHickory River Smokehouse has no pending litigation actions listed in their FDD. There is also no bankruptcy history disclosed.
Litigation and bankruptcy data is sourced from Items 3 and 4 of the FDD. Always verify current status directly from the most recent FDD.
Hickory River Smokehouse System Growth
Total Units
6
Franchised
6
Company-Owned
0
Hickory River Smokehouse currently operates 6 franchised locations and 0 company-owned units. Unit count data is sourced from Item 20 of the FDD.
Hickory River Smokehouse Franchise — FAQ
The total investment to open a Hickory River Smokehouse franchise ranges from $315,000 to $674,500, per their Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the initial franchise fee of $30,000. The investment covers build-out, inventory, equipment, signage, working capital, and other startup costs.
Hickory River Smokehouse charges a royalty fee of 5% of Gross Sales of gross sales, plus a 3% of Gross Sales contribution to the marketing/advertising fund. These fees are paid on an ongoing basis.
You can download the Hickory River Smokehouse Franchise Disclosure Document free on this page. The FDD is a public document filed with state franchise registries. Always also request the current FDD directly from Hickory River Smokehouse to ensure you have the most up-to-date version.
Hickory River Smokehouse does not provide an Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD, which means they do not disclose franchisee revenue or earnings data. Prospective investors should contact existing franchisees directly (listed in Item 20 of the FDD) to gather real-world financial performance information.
Hickory River Smokehouse has been franchising since 2003. The FDD shows an investment range of $315,000-$674,500, a 5% of Gross Sales royalty, and no Item 19 earnings disclosure. There is no pending litigation. Review the full FDD and contact current franchisees listed in Item 20 before making any investment decision.
The franchise fee is $30,000 and the total investment ranges from $315,000 to $674,500 depending on location size and market. Contact the franchisor directly for current net worth and liquid capital requirements, territory availability, and application details.
Similar Food & Beverage Franchises
Interested in Hickory River Smokehouse?
Get free info on this franchise. We will send you a detailed FDD report by email.
Data Source & Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only. It is not an offer to sell or buy a franchise. This profile is based on publicly available FDD data sourced from state franchise registry filings. All information is for research purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. Data may be outdated or contain errors. Always obtain the current FDD directly from Hickory River Smokehouse and consult a qualified franchise attorney before making any investment decision. FranchiseOverview.com is operated by Franchising Compliance, LLC and is not affiliated with Hickory River Smokehouse or any of its subsidiaries. To report an inaccuracy: info@franchiseoverview.com