
Red Robin
Food & Beverage · Full-Service Restaurants
- Royalty
- 5.0%
of weekly Net Sales
About Red Robin
Red Robin is a popular casual dining restaurant chain based in the United States. It specializes in gourmet burgers and serves a wide range of other dishes as well. The company was established in 1969 in Seattle, Washington, and has its current headquarters in Greenwood Village, Colorado. Red Robin offers a variety of burgers made with quality ingredients and innovative flavor combinations. Some of their popular burgers include the Royal Red Robin Burger, Whiskey River BBQ Burger, and Bleu Ribbon Burger. In addition to burgers, the menu also features appetizers, salads, sandwiches, soups, and desserts. The company is known for its extensive beverage selection, including signature cocktails, local brews, and gourmet milkshakes. On a global scale, Red Robin primarily operates in the United States, with over 550 restaurants spread across various states. The company does not have major subsidiaries or joint ventures, but it occasionally partners with local organizations and charities for community events and fundraisers. In terms of market position, Red Robin is a well-established name in the casual dining industry. It faces competition from other burger chains like Five Guys, In-N-Out Burger, and Shake Shack. However, it differentiates itself by offering a wide range of menu options and a casual, family-friendly dining experience. Despite facing some challenges in recent years, Red Robin maintains a strong presence in the market. Over the years, Red Robin has made several strategic changes and additions to its brand and menu. They have introduced new burger options, expanded their beverage offerings, and updated their restaurant designs. The company places a strong emphasis on customer feedback and involves them in menu development and product testing processes. As of the latest updates, Red Robin continues to expand its presence and enhance its offerings. The company is focusing on operational efficiency, technology integration, and menu innovation to stay competitive in the evolving market. They have also implemented various initiatives to improve guest experiences and increase customer loyalty. In conclusion, Red Robin is a prominent casual dining restaurant chain in the United States, known for its gourmet burgers and diverse menu. While primarily operating in the US, it has a strong market position and continues to enhance its offerings to meet customer demands.
Key terms
- Franchise fee
$35k
- Footprint
5,000 – 6,000 sq ft
- Development Fee (Area Development Agreement)
$13k
- Veteran discount
Not offered
Brand Percentile Rankings
Rankings compare brands in the same operating year. Fee and investment figures come from the FDD (2025 filing).
Growth
- Total locations—
Franchised units open at year-end
- New openings—
Gross new units opened during the calendar year
- 1-year unit growth rate—
Net unit growth versus prior year
- 3-year unit CAGR—
Compound annual growth rate of unit count over the trailing 3 years
- Unit growth ratio—
Cumulative opens / closures through year-end
Unit economics
- Annual unit volume (Median)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- Annual unit volume (25th percentile)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- Annual unit volume (75th percentile)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- 1-year Median AUV growth rate—
Year-over-year change in median AUV
- Store-level EBITDA Margin—
Median unit-level EBITDA / AUV
Investment profile
- Estimated initial investment$4.2M
Midpoint of estimated initial investment range
↓ Lower is better - Time to open6 months
Midpoint of average time from agreement to opening
↓ Lower is better - Royalty rate5.0%
Percent of net sales paid to the franchisor
↓ Lower is better - Sales-to-investment ratio—
Median AUV / estimated initial investment midpoint
- Cash-on-cash returns—
Median unit-level EBITDA / estimated initial investment midpoint. Steady-state estimate; year 1 returns will be lower as the unit ramps to median volumes.
Franchisee healthLocked
- Unit closure ratio
- Transfer vs. closure ratio
- Percent multi-unit franchisees
- Litigation rate
- EBITDA multiple on sales & transfers
Create your free Glidepath account to access full brand information.