Black Rock Bar & Grill Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Black Rock Bar & Grill is a steakhouse franchise offering a unique dining experience where guests cook their own steaks on hot volcanic stones.

Black Rock Bar & Grill has earned a reputation as an acclaimed steakhouse thanks to its distinctive “Steak on a Stone” experience, where guests sear their own steaks on a sizzling 755-degree volcanic rock. Launched in 2010 in Hartland, Michigan, the brand has successfully grown its footprint across multiple states. Its main offices remain rooted in Michigan.

The menu offers a wide array of appetizers, salads, burgers, and seafood, but what truly distinguishes the restaurant is its interactive “Steak on a Stone” feature. This hands-on approach guarantees that every bite stays hot and flavorful, leaving diners with an unforgettable experience.

By November 2024, Black Rock Bar & Grill had established several locations across Michigan, Ohio, Florida, and Maryland. The brand actively seeks new franchise partners in the U.S., providing entrepreneurs the chance to join a dynamic and growing restaurant network.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $50,000
Location Assistance Fee $0 to $500
Delayed Opening Fee $0 to $6,000
Leasehold Improvements $650,000 to $3,500,000
Lease Payments – 3 Months $55,640 to $100,250
Security Deposits $22,000 to $35,625
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment $352,000 to $644,000
Signage (Interior and Exterior) $12,500 to $32,000
Initial Inventory $80,000 to $100,000
Blueprints and Plans $22,000 to $50,000
Point of Sale System $27,000 to $50,000
Travel, lodging and meals for initial training $0 to $35,000
Insurance – 3 Months $5,500 to $26,000
Grand Opening Advertising $10,000
Licenses and Permits (Not Including Liquor License) $2,800 to $10,000
Professional Fees $2,000 to $4,000
Additional Funds – 3 Months $228,500 to $345,250
TOTAL $1,519,940 to $4,998,625
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $50,000
Location Assistance Fee $0 to $500
Delayed Opening Fee $0 to $6,000
Leasehold Improvements $650,000 to $3,500,000
Lease Payments – 3 Months $55,640 to $100,250
Security Deposits $22,000 to $35,625
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment $352,000 to $644,000
Signage (Interior and Exterior) $12,500 to $32,000
Initial Inventory $80,000 to $100,000
Blueprints and Plans $22,000 to $50,000
Point of Sale System $27,000 to $50,000
Travel, lodging and meals for initial training $0 to $35,000
Insurance – 3 Months $5,500 to $26,000
Grand Opening Advertising $10,000
Licenses and Permits (Not Including Liquor License) $2,800 to $10,000
Professional Fees $2,000 to $4,000
Additional Funds – 3 Months $228,500 to $345,250
TOTAL $1,519,940 to $4,998,625

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training

Black Rock Bar & Grill provides an extensive training program to prepare franchisees and their teams for successful operations. Here’s a summary of the franchisor’s training programs:

  1. Initial Training Program
    Black Rock Bar & Grill offers a mandatory four-week training program for up to three people—typically the General Manager, Kitchen Manager, and Assistant Kitchen Manager—at its headquarters or a designated location. This program includes classroom and on-the-job training, covering company policies, menu, bar operations, food preparation, management, customer service, POS systems, accounting, and marketing.
  2. On-Site Opening Assistance
    For up to seven days around the restaurant’s opening, a Black Rock representative provides on-site training and support. This includes hands-on guidance to ensure the team is prepared to deliver the brand’s standards at launch.
  3. Ongoing and Refresher Training
    Black Rock may require periodic additional training, refresher courses, or attendance at annual franchisee meetings. Franchisees must also ensure their team members are ServSafe and alcohol-awareness certified, and they cover all related expenses.

Territory Protection

Black Rock Bar & Grill provides its franchisees with a degree of territory protection, but it is not absolute. Franchisees are assigned a specific site that must be approved by the franchisor, and the restaurant may not be relocated without written consent.

The acceptance of a site only confirms that it meets minimum requirements and does not guarantee exclusive rights to a geographic area. While franchisees have rights to their approved location, Black Rock Bar & Grill retains the right to open other units or license additional franchises outside that specific site.

The franchisor also reserves flexibility in granting future units under multi-unit agreements, where territory approval will follow the then-current standards. Overall, the territorial protections mainly focus on the approved site itself rather than offering broad geographic exclusivity.

Competitors

Below are some of

Black Rock Bar & Grill

key competitors in the

Steakhouse & Grill

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
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Gross Profit
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EBITDA
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15

New
+
0%
0%

$50,000

$1,520,000

$4,999,000

n.a.

$3,924,000

$xxx,xxx

63.2%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Black Rock Bar & Grill

Black Rock Bar & Grill is a steakhouse franchise offering a unique dining experience where guests cook their own steaks on hot volcanic stones.

Franchisees

?

15
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$1,520,000 - $4,999,000

Native Grill and Wings

Native Grill and Wings is a casual dining franchise known for its award-winning chicken wings, extensive menu, and family-friendly atmosphere.

Franchisees

?

21
+
-9%
-9%
Investment

?

$1,210,000 - $2,329,000

Pepper Lunch

Pepper Lunch is a fast-casual restaurant serving sizzling hot plate meals with a variety of protein and vegetable options, providing a unique and interactive dining experience.

Franchisees

?

6
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$714,000 - $1,501,000

Barrel House

Barrel House is a casual dining franchise specializing in comfort food and craft beers. Franchisees receive training, marketing support, and operational assistance to build a successful restaurant business.

Franchisees

?

1
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$540,000 - $1,215,000

Hickory River Smokehouse

Hickory River Smokehouse is a barbecue restaurant chain offering slow-smoked meats, homemade sides, and a relaxed dining experience with a focus on authentic, flavorful barbecue.

Franchisees

?

5
+
-17%
-17%
Investment

?

$315,000 - $675,000

Jerk King

Jerk King is a fast-casual restaurant specializing in authentic Caribbean jerk cuisine, offering bold flavors and a variety of traditional dishes in a vibrant setting.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$248,000 - $471,000