The Huckleberry’s Restaurant Franchise is a Southern-inspired breakfast and lunch concept offering “Southern Cookin’ with a California Twist.” Known for its Cajun-infused comfort food, friendly hospitality, and whimsical bayou ambiance, the brand gives franchise owners a lifestyle-friendly model with daytime operating hours (7 a.m.–3 p.m.)—a rarity in the restaurant industry.
Founded in California and operated under the Heritage Restaurant Brands portfolio (alongside Black Bear Diner and Perko’s Café Grill), Huckleberry’s has expanded across multiple states while maintaining its commitment to community-based dining and guest experience.
This guide explains everything prospective franchisees need to know—costs, franchise support, operations, training, territory structure, and owner profile—so you can determine whether Huckleberry’s fits your goals.
This article is sponsored by Huckleberry’s Restaurant. The content has been created in partnership with the brand to deliver transparent insights into its model and franchise opportunity.
Who Owns Huckleberry’s Restaurant and What’s the Brand Story?
Founded in 2008 in California, Huckleberry’s Restaurant began as a family-run breakfast and lunch concept celebrating Southern-inspired comfort food. In 2016, the brand joined the Heritage Restaurant Brands portfolio — a multi-brand franchisor that also operates Perko’s Café Grill and Cool Hand Luke’s Steakhouse & Saloon. Within this portfolio, Huckleberry’s serves as the flagship daytime dining brand, combining regional flair with franchise scalability.
Huckleberry’s brings “Southern Cookin’ with a California Twist” to life through a distinctive guest experience. Each restaurant is designed to feel like a journey into the Louisiana bayou, featuring rustic wood textures, Zydeco music, colorful murals, and twinkling “fireflies” beneath a weeping willow tree. The menu showcases a mix of hearty and health-conscious options — from Shrimp & Grits, Bayou Benedict, and Chicken & Waffles to fresh salads and seasonal produce-forward dishes.
This balance of comfort and freshness appeals to modern diners who want an authentic, sit-down meal without the formality or time demands of traditional full-service restaurants.
Huckleberry’s occupies a growing niche between family dining and fast-casual formats. The concept delivers chef-inspired meals in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, paired with limited operating hours (7 a.m.–3 p.m.) that align with breakfast and lunch demand.
For franchise owners, that schedule supports a balanced lifestyle and steady daytime operations, while customers enjoy a consistent community gathering place — one that’s both approachable and distinctly memorable.
How Much Does a Huckleberry’s Restaurant Franchise Cost?
The Huckleberry’s Restaurant Franchise requires a moderate-to-high investment typical of a full-service breakfast and lunch restaurant. Actual costs vary based on site size, build-out condition, and market.
Startup Costs & Fees*
| Type of Expenditure | Low Estimate* | High Estimate* |
| Initial Franchise Fee* | $35,000 | $35,000 |
| Training Expenses* | $15,000 | $55,000 |
| Lease & Utility Deposits* | $15,000 | $40,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements / Construction / Remodeling* | $175,000 | $850,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment (FF&E)* | $100,000 | $400,000 |
| Signage* | $10,000 | $40,000 |
| Business Licenses & Permits* | $15,000 | $17,000 |
| POS / Computer System* | $7,000 | $16,250 |
| Initial Inventory* | $20,000 | $30,000 |
| Professional Fees (Architect, Legal, Accounting)* | $40,000 | $80,000 |
| Grand Opening Advertising* | $2,000 | $5,000 |
| Insurance* | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Operating Expenses / Additional Funds (3 months)* | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Total Estimated Initial Investment* | $464,000 | $1,628,250 |
Disclaimer: All figures are drawn from the brand’s current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). Estimates vary by location, square footage, vendor pricing, and site condition. Always verify details in the most recent FDD and consult qualified advisors before making any investment decision.
Why Choose the Huckleberry’s Restaurant Franchise?
The Huckleberry’s Restaurant Franchise offers a distinctive combination of lifestyle-friendly operations, brand differentiation, and growing consumer appeal in the booming breakfast and lunch category. Its approachable menu, strong franchisor backing, and daytime schedule make it an attractive option for entrepreneurs who want to operate within a vibrant, community-centered dining model.
Daytime-Only Operations: Open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Huckleberry’s uses a single-shift model that helps simplify scheduling and supports a more balanced work-life rhythm compared to traditional full-service restaurants.
Established Brand with Multi-Concept Support: As part of the Heritage Restaurant Brands portfolio, franchisees benefit from the collective resources, operational systems, and purchasing power of an experienced restaurant group with multiple national concepts.
Chef-Inspired Menu Innovation: Huckleberry’s features a Southern-meets-California menu—combining hearty classics like Shrimp & Grits and Chicken & Waffles with lighter, produce-forward dishes that appeal to modern diners seeking comfort and freshness.
Flexible Footprint Options: The brand can adapt to a variety of spaces—freestanding buildings, endcaps, or conversions of existing restaurants—offering flexibility for franchisees and landlords alike.
Operational Support & Simplified Launch: Franchisees receive corporate project management through every stage of opening, from site design and build-out coordination to staff training and launch marketing.
Marketing Tools & Community Engagement: Huckleberry leverages established brand platforms, including social media, email clubs, and local-store marketing programs, helping franchisees connect with their communities through storytelling, events, and digital engagement.
For many franchise owners, Huckleberry’s represents the opportunity to operate a full-service restaurant with daytime-only hours—a rarity in foodservice. This model supports predictable scheduling, a family-friendly routine, and consistent daytime customer traffic, all within a brand designed to celebrate hospitality, comfort, and connection.
Training and Ongoing Support
Huckleberry’s provides an end-to-end support system—from site selection and build-out to launch, marketing, and ongoing field coaching—so owners can open confidently and operate to brand standards.
Pre-Opening
- Site Selection & Leasing: Data-driven trade-area review (traffic, daytime populations, co-tenancy) plus LOI/lease guidance to help you secure an appropriate breakfast-and-lunch location.
- Design & Construction: Brand prototype plans, kitchen layouts, equipment specs, and vendor introductions, with project management to coordinate GC bids, timelines, and inspections.
- Initial Training: Multi-week immersion at a certified Huckleberry’s location covering back-of-house and front-of-house operations, hospitality standards, food safety, labor modeling, and leadership.
- Playbooks & SOPs: Operations manuals, checklists, recipe guides, and opening countdown calendars to align teams and keep the build-out and training on schedule.
- Tech Stack Setup: POS, inventory, scheduling, and reporting tools configured to track prime costs, prep, and daypart performance.
Post-Opening.
- Field Support & Coaching: On-site opening assistance, scheduled visits, and performance reviews focused on guest experience, food safety, and operational consistency.
- Marketing & Community Outreach: Grand-opening toolkits, social content templates, local-store marketing ideas, and guidance for partnerships (schools, offices, community events).
- Menu Evolution: Seasonal LTOs, chef-tested rollouts, and supplier updates to keep the offering fresh while protecting execution standards.
- Procurement & Vendors: Access to approved suppliers, negotiated pricing, and equipment/service partners aligned with brand specs.
- Ongoing Training: Refresher modules for managers and staff, plus updates when processes, menu items, or systems change.
Together, Huckleberry’s training and ongoing support create a strong foundation for franchise success. From day one, new owners receive structured guidance on operations, staffing, marketing, and brand standards—ensuring every location delivers the same warm, Southern-inspired experience that defines the brand. With continual coaching, menu innovation, and community engagement tools, franchisees are never operating alone—they’re part of a proven system designed to help them open smoothly and grow sustainably.
What Makes the Huckleberry’s Experience Unique?
Huckleberry’s isn’t just about food—it’s about creating a place where guests feel transported, comforted, and connected. Every element of the restaurant, from its menu to its atmosphere, is designed to evoke the charm and warmth of the American South, reimagined with a California twist.
An Immersive “Bayou Escape”.
Guests step into an environment that feels like a storybook version of the Louisiana bayou—complete with weeping willows, twinkling fireflies, rustic wood textures, and the gentle rhythm of Southern music. The atmosphere invites diners to slow down and savor, transforming an ordinary breakfast or lunch into an experience.
Southern Comfort Meets California Freshness
Huckleberry’s menu blends bold Cajun-inspired flavors with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, bridging comfort and innovation. Signature favorites include:
- Buttermilk Fried Chicken & Waffles.
- Bayou Benedict.
- Shrimp & Grits.
- Creole Omelets.
Each dish is crafted to balance hearty Southern tradition with the bright, produce-driven freshness that defines California cuisine.
Why It Resonates with Guests
This balance of comfort, novelty, and quality keeps guests coming back. Whether they’re drawn by the familiar flavors, the whimsical environment, or the hospitality-driven service, Huckleberry’s creates an experience that stands out in the breakfast and lunch category.
Ideal Franchise Owner Profile
The ideal Huckleberry’s franchise owner blends hospitality passion with disciplined business management. This concept rewards leaders who enjoy building community, empowering teams, and delivering consistently warm guest experiences.
You may be a strong fit if you:
- Have prior management, operations, or restaurant industry experience.
- Value community connection and create a welcoming environment where guests feel at home.
- Appreciate work-life balance supported by Huckleberry’s daytime hours (7 a.m.–3 p.m.).
- Are motivated to develop strong teams and uphold brand standards across every shift.
- See long-term opportunity in multi-unit growth within an established, proven system.
Both hands-on operators and semi-absentee investors can thrive when supported by strong local leadership. Regardless of role, successful owners stay engaged with their teams, track performance, and model the brand’s spirit of Southern hospitality and California energy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a Huckleberry’s Restaurant Franchise?
According to the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), the total estimated initial investment ranges from $464,000 to $1,628,250*. This includes a $35,000* franchise fee, plus costs for construction, furniture, equipment, signage, and approximately three months of working capital.
Do I need prior restaurant experience?
While prior management or restaurant experience can be beneficial, it is not required. Huckleberry’s provides comprehensive operational and management training to prepare franchisees for ownership success.
What are the operating hours?
Huckleberry’s restaurants typically operate from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., offering guests breakfast and lunch service—and giving franchisees the benefit of evenings free for family, community, or personal time.
How many Huckleberry’s locations are there?
As of 2025, the Huckleberry’s system includes more than 35 locations open or under development across the United States, with additional territories available for growth.
Is Huckleberry’s the Right Franchise for You?
If you’re looking for a full-service restaurant franchise that combines balanced operating hours, distinctive brand character, and strong franchisor support, Huckleberry’s offers a truly compelling option. The concept captures the charm of Southern hospitality and the freshness of California cuisine, giving guests a one-of-a-kind experience—and owners, a lifestyle-friendly business model.
With its daytime-only schedule (7 a.m.–3 p.m.), Huckleberry’s provides franchisees with an appealing blend of operational focus and personal flexibility. Backed by Heritage Restaurant Brands, the franchise benefits from an experienced support team, refined systems, and a strong reputation in the fast-growing breakfast-and-lunch category.
Whether you’re a seasoned restaurateur or a first-time owner ready to build a team-driven business, Huckleberry’s offers the structure, culture, and brand equity to help you thrive in your local market.
Ready to take the next step? At the Franchise Brokers Association, we specialize in helping entrepreneurs evaluate franchise opportunities with clarity and confidence. Explore your options today.
