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JL Beers

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JL Beers

JL Beers Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

JL Beers is a craft beer and burger franchise offering a casual dining experience. Franchisees benefit from a simple operating model, comprehensive training, and support in marketing and business operations.

JL Beers is a fast-casual restaurant franchise known for its handcrafted burgers, fresh-cut fries, and an extensive selection of craft beers. Founded in 2009 in Fargo, North Dakota, the brand quickly gained popularity for its unique dining experience.

The company began franchising in 2013, expanding its presence across the Midwest. As of 2025, JL Beers operates 12 locations in North Dakota, Minnesota, and South Dakota, with its headquarters located at 16 Broadway, Suite 208, Fargo, ND 58102.

The menu at JL Beers features a variety of high-quality hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, fresh-cut fries and chips, pretzels, fresh-ground peanut butter, dips, craft cocktails, and a large selection of draught, canned, and bottled beers. This combination of gourmet food and a vast beer selection sets JL Beers apart in the fast-casual dining sector.

What differentiates JL Beers from the competition is its commitment to quality and community. The brand emphasizes a simplistic approach: a small menu using fresh ingredients, state-of-the-art equipment that cooks a burger in under three minutes, and a unique customer experience with an open kitchen concept.

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 - $50,000
Leasehold Improvements $300,000 - $600,000
Land and Building $900,000 - $2,000,000
Equipment, Fixtures and Furniture $500,000 - $650,000
Initial Inventory $35,000 - $60,000
POS System $20,000 - $25,000
Signage $23,000 - $55,000
Training Expenses $4,000 - $8,000
Opening Advertising and Promotion $2,000 - $5,000
Liquor License Fees/Expenses $1,000 - $100,000
Miscellaneous Pre-opening Expenses $18,000 - $25,000
Additional Funds - 3 Months $270,000 - $330,000
Total (Leased Premises) $1,223,000 - $1,883,000
Total (Purchased Land and Building) $1,835,000 - $3,308,000

‍

‍

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $50,000 - $50,000
Leasehold Improvements $300,000 - $600,000
Land and Building $900,000 - $2,000,000
Equipment, Fixtures and Furniture $500,000 - $650,000
Initial Inventory $35,000 - $60,000
POS System $20,000 - $25,000
Signage $23,000 - $55,000
Training Expenses $4,000 - $8,000
Opening Advertising and Promotion $2,000 - $5,000
Liquor License Fees/Expenses $1,000 - $100,000
Miscellaneous Pre-opening Expenses $18,000 - $25,000
Additional Funds - 3 Months $270,000 - $330,000
Total (Leased Premises) $1,223,000 - $1,883,000
Total (Purchased Land and Building) $1,835,000 - $3,308,000

‍

‍

JL Beers

2025

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training

JL Beers offers a detailed and structured training program to prepare franchisees and their staff for successful restaurant operations. The training includes the following programs:

  1. Initial Training Program: Required for the Operating Principal, general manager, kitchen supervisor, and bar supervisor. This program lasts up to 19 days for the Operating Principal and general manager, and up to 14 days for the bar and kitchen supervisors. It includes classroom instruction, hands-on training at local restaurants, and operational guidance.
  2. Certification Requirement for New Managers: Any new Operating Principal, general manager, kitchen supervisor, or bar supervisor must complete the full initial training program to be qualified. JL Beers reserves the right to charge a fee for this training when new individuals are involved.
  3. Supplemental and Refresher Training: Franchisees may be required to attend additional training sessions for up to 7 days each year. These are designed to reinforce operational knowledge and cover updates in procedures or systems.

Territory Protection

JL Beers provides its franchisees with a designated Protected Territory based on the location and population density of the market area. For markets under 50,000 people, the Protected Territory spans a 3-mile radius, while for markets over 250,000, it contracts to a 1-mile radius.

Within this area, as long as the franchisee remains compliant with the franchise agreement, no other JL Beers restaurant will be established by the franchisor or licensed to another party.

Despite this protection, the territory is not exclusive in the fullest sense. JL Beers reserves the right to operate in Captive Market Locations such as airports or other venues without direct street access, even within a franchisee’s Protected Territory.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise

Started franchising
2013
Franchisees

?

3
+
0%
0%
Franchise fee

?

$50,000
Investment

?

$1,223,000 - $3,308,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed
Sign up

$1,440,000

+
1.0%
1.0%
Operating Profit

?

Sign up

n.a.

Home based

?

Sign up
Passive investment

?

Sign up
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Competitors

Below are some of

JL Beers

key competitors in the

Burger

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Sign up
Gross Profit
Sign up
EBITDA
Sign up

3

New
+
0%
0%

$50,000

$1,223,000

$3,308,000

n.a.

$1,440,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

3144

New
+
-2%
-2%

$15,000

$669,000

$3,141,000

n.a.

$1,501,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

1533

New
+
-3%
-3%

$25,000

$1,303,000

$3,436,000

n.a.

$1,192,000

$xxx,xxx

72.5%

xx%

n.a.

13.0%

xx%

n.a.

29

New
+
190%
190%

$35,000

$411,000

$965,000

n.a.

$1,116,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

71

New
+
-8%
-8%

$40,000

$373,000

$1,186,000

n.a.

$1,009,000

$xxx,xxx

71.6%

xx%

n.a.

9.8%

xx%

n.a.

899

New
+
-11%
-11%

$25,000

$256,000

$591,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

5

New
+
0%
0%

$50,000

$633,000

$962,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

61

New
+
17%
17%

$35,000

$1,026,000

$2,859,000

n.a.

$1,802,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

2040

New
+
0%
0%

$50,000

$1,911,000

$4,032,000

n.a.

$1,929,000

$xxx,xxx

73.0%

xx%

n.a.

10.2%

xx%

n.a.

0

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$40,000

$328,000

$713,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

1020

New
+
-1%
-1%

$25,000

$1,303,000

$3,436,000

n.a.

$1,568,000

$xxx,xxx

74.5%

xx%

n.a.

21.2%

xx%

n.a.

3

New
+
0%
0%

$30,000

$409,000

$1,297,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

990

New
+
12%
12%

$55,000

$2,643,000

$8,573,000

n.a.

$3,694,000

$xxx,xxx

66.5%

xx%

n.a.

12.3%

xx%

n.a.

5552

New
+
-1%
-1%

$55,000

$393,000

$2,992,000

n.a.

$1,984,000

$xxx,xxx

67.5%

xx%

n.a.

12.2%

xx%

n.a.

12887

New
+
1%
1%

$45,000

$525,000

$2,728,000

n.a.

$3,838,000

$xxx,xxx

71.8%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

7

New
+
133%
133%

$40,000

$401,000

$739,000

n.a.

$1,640,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

0

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$40,000

$412,000

$849,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

266

New
+
-13%
-13%

$25,000

$316,000

$2,695,000

n.a.

$1,729,000

$xxx,xxx

70.5%

xx%

n.a.

20.0%

xx%

n.a.

193

New
+
8%
8%

$50,000

$509,000

$1,695,000

n.a.

$1,080,000

$xxx,xxx

69.9%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

143

New
+
36%
36%

$35,000

$788,000

$2,160,000

n.a.

$964,000

$xxx,xxx

68.8%

xx%

n.a.

10.1%

xx%

n.a.

3

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$30,000

$302,000

$686,000

n.a.

$1,170,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

131

New
+
2%
2%

$35,000

$209,000

$703,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

16

New
+
-38%
-38%

$30,000

$755,000

$1,581,000

n.a.

$1,746,000

$xxx,xxx

65.4%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

8

New
+
-56%
-56%

$35,000

$711,000

$1,984,000

n.a.

$2,383,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

119

New
+
-16%
-16%

$50,000

$507,000

$1,686,000

n.a.

$1,120,000

$xxx,xxx

71.5%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

106

New
+
43%
43%

$40,000

$1,140,000

$2,755,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

213

New
+
1%
1%

$30,000

$299,000

$1,640,000

n.a.

$1,037,000

$xxx,xxx

70.0%

xx%

n.a.

13.6%

xx%

n.a.

36

New
+
-12%
-12%

$50,000

$509,000

$1,695,000

n.a.

$877,000

$xxx,xxx

70.3%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

2

New
+
0%
0%

$40,000

$484,000

$802,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

2

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$40,000

$559,000

$3,168,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

0

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$35,000

$351,000

$506,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

5524

New
+
-21%
-21%

$50,000

$363,000

$4,731,000

n.a.

$1,507,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

65

New
+
-21%
-21%

$40,000

$1,240,000

$2,256,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

19

New
+
375%
375%

$35,000

$1,298,000

$1,994,000

n.a.

$1,697,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

71

New
+
6%
6%

$45,000

$1,056,000

$2,611,000

n.a.

$2,273,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

2

New
+
100%
100%

$40,000

$1,635,000

$4,888,000

n.a.

$4,337,000

$xxx,xxx

71.3%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

24

New
+
0%
0%

$35,000

$183,000

$482,000

n.a.

$805,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

93

New
+
2%
2%

$45,000

$610,000

$1,043,000

n.a.

$1,319,000

$xxx,xxx

67.9%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

362

New
+
-12%
-12%

$30,000

$124,000

$2,132,000

n.a.

$1,061,000

$xxx,xxx

69.0%

xx%

n.a.

12.0%

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Sammy's Sliders

Sammy's Sliders is a fast-casual restaurant brand offering gourmet sliders, fries, and shakes, serving burger lovers seeking smaller portions and variety, and known for customizable mini-sandwich combinations, playful branding, and efficient service suited to urban and neighborhood locations.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$328,000 - $713,000
Food & Beverage
Burger

Home Frite

Home Frite is a fast-casual franchise offering gourmet fries, burgers, chicken sandwiches and milkshakes, serving urban diners and comfort-food lovers, and known for hand-cut potatoes, signature sauces, and scalable franchise model.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$351,000 - $506,000
Food & Beverage
Burger

iniBurger

iniBurger is a burger-restaurant franchise offering gourmet burgers, shakes, and innovative sides, serving millennials and casual diners, and known for bold menu items, modern branding and strong franchisee support.

Franchisees

?

3
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$302,000 - $686,000
Food & Beverage
Burger

Harlem Shake

Harlem Shake is a burger-and-shake chain franchise offering premium burgers, fries, shakes and craft menu items, serving families and casual diners, and known for nostalgic branding, community vibe, and scalable restaurant prototype.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$412,000 - $849,000
Food & Beverage
Burger

Good Stuff Eatery

Good Stuff Eatery is a fast-casual burger franchise offering handcrafted burgers, crispy fries and shakes, serving casual diners and burger-lovers, and known for chef-driven quality, fun branding and a mission to bring “goodness everywhere”.

Franchisees

?

5
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$633,000 - $962,000
Food & Beverage
Burger

Built Custom Burgers

Built Custom Burgers provides fast-casual, build-your-own burger meals featuring premium ingredients and a streamlined assembly-line format, allowing customers to customize burgers, fries, and shakes for a fresh and satisfying dining experience.

Franchisees

?

3
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$409,000 - $1,297,000
Food & Beverage
Burger
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