Ford’s Garage is a themed restaurant franchise built on nostalgia and American automotive culture. The concept blends a 1920s garage aesthetic with a full-service casual dining experience. Patrons dine among vintage car décor, gas pump door handles, and mechanic uniforms, while enjoying burgers, comfort food, and craft beers.

The first Ford’s Garage opened in 2012 in Fort Myers, Florida, founded by Mike McGuigan and Daniel Kearns. Following early success, the brand secured a licensing deal with Ford Motor Company to use the iconic “Blue Oval” logo and brand insignia.

Ford’s Garage began franchising in 2015. Its corporate headquarters is located in Tampa, Florida. Since then, it has expanded to multiple locations across several U.S. states, building a strong presence in the casual dining market.

What sets Ford’s Garage apart is its exclusive brand partnership with Ford and its immersive automotive theme. It is the only restaurant concept licensed to use Ford’s logos.

Training

Ford’s Garage offers a multi-faceted training program to ensure its franchisees are fully prepared to operate their restaurant successfully. The training is comprehensive and designed for owners, managers, and key personnel involved in day-to-day operations. The components of the training are as follows:

1. Initial Training Program
   This mandatory program is conducted at Ford’s Garage headquarters in Florida or another certified training center. It includes classroom and on-the-job training in areas such as front-of-house (FOH), back-of-house (BOH), and office procedures. The Designated Manager, Restaurant Manager, and up to five other managers must complete this program before the restaurant opens, and then work at the location for at least 30 days prior to launch.
2. On-Site Opening Training
   Ford’s Garage provides a trained Opening Team to assist at the franchisee’s location around the time of opening. This team offers 21 days of hands-on, in-store training and operational support. All costs related to travel, lodging, and salaries for this team are the responsibility of the franchisee.
3. Ongoing and Refresher Training
   The franchisor may require attendance at periodic refresher courses or ongoing training seminars. These may take place at the headquarters or another designated location and are aimed at maintaining standards and improving performance. While there is no fee for these sessions, the franchisee must cover all associated expenses.

Territory Protection

Ford’s Garage grants each franchisee a Protected Territory or DMA, typically covering at least 100,000 people, defined by zip codes, city boundaries, or mapped areas. No other traditional Ford’s Garage restaurants will be allowed in this area during the agreement term if the franchisee remains in good standing.

However, this is not an exclusive territory. The franchisor may still operate or license locations at non-traditional sites (e.g., airports, casinos) within the territory and sell through alternative channels like online or retail without compensating the franchisee.