FSC Franchise Co. Waives $25K Fees for Veteran Franchisees

The Incentive Package

FSC Franchise Co., the Tampa-based multi-brand franchisor behind Beef 'O' Brady's and The Brass Tap, is waiving its $25,000 initial franchise fee for qualified military veterans and offering 0% royalties during the first full year of operations — provided the franchisee opens within 12 months of signing. The program, announced November 11, also layers in peer networking, SBA-affiliated education, and dedicated veteran-focused recruitment pages for both brands.

FSC currently counts 14 veteran franchisees across its two casual-dining concepts, representing roughly 12% of total franchise owners in the system. The program formalizes support that was largely informal, converting it into a structured pipeline with measurable incentives attached.

"Veterans bring a lot of qualities to restaurant ownership. They understand accountability, how to lead a team and what it means to show up every day," said Chris Elliott, CEO of FSC Franchise Co. "If we can make that first step a little easier, that's something worth doing."

Peer Group and SBA Tie-In

Beyond the financial relief, FSC is standing up a veterans franchisee peer group that will convene virtually each quarter. Jim Keenam, director of franchise operations for The Brass Tap and a military veteran himself, will facilitate the sessions. The format is deliberately practical — existing owners sharing operational experience, troubleshooting common challenges, and building relationships across the system.

Keenam is also working with Boots to Business, the U.S. Small Business Administration's entrepreneurial training program for transitioning service members, to deliver franchising education sessions. The partnership gives FSC a recruiting touchpoint at the moment veterans are actively evaluating post-military career options — a window that franchise systems frequently miss.

Additional program elements include a Veteran Partner Lunch scheduled for FSC's national brand conference next summer and direct introductions to existing veteran operators for prospective franchisees considering either brand.

Growth Backdrop

The veteran initiative arrives as FSC is pushing system-wide expansion. Through Q3 2026, the company signed 20 franchise agreements across all three brands — Beef 'O' Brady's, The Brass Tap, and Newk's Eatery — and expects to open 15 restaurants before year-end. Another 21 openings are on the calendar for 2027, with seven units each earmarked for Beef 'O' Brady's and The Brass Tap. All three concepts earned spots on the 2026 Franchise Times Top 400 ranking.

For foodservice operators and franchise development professionals tracking recruitment trends, veteran-targeted incentives have become a recognized differentiator in a crowded multi-unit pipeline. The VetFran program through the International Franchise Association has long documented that veterans over-index on franchise success metrics — including unit-level performance and franchisee satisfaction scores — making them a sought-after candidate pool across the restaurant and hospitality segment.

Terry Snavely, a multi-unit The Brass Tap franchisee and military veteran, summed up the value proposition bluntly: "Look at what other franchises are going to require you to give them. Then come back and talk to FSC. You're going to be very surprised."

Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.