JL Beers: Crafting Community Through Burgers and Brews

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.

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.
4. Opening Assistance: A field consultant provides up to 14 days of on-site management training support during the opening phase. Additionally, up to 3 days of post-opening support may be provided to evaluate and assist in early operations.

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.