With over 150 restaurant locations on six continents, Tony Roma’s is one of the most recognized brand names in the world!
Development of Tony Roma’s is continuing in new and existing markets around the world.
If you are interested in a terrific franchise opportunity and have a desire to open your own Tony Roma's Restaurant, here’s is your chance!
The franchise information on our website represents only a brief overview of the Tony Roma's franchise program. This is not an offer to sell, as offers are subject to the delivery of a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).
If you meet our required qualifications, we would be happy to discuss your particular project, situation and degree of interest.
Tony Roma's Franchise Brochure from Tony Roma's
Tony Roma franchise candidates, either individually or corporately, should have a minimum net worth of $3 million (not including residences, automobiles and other personal assets).
Of that net worth, $1 million should be liquid, i.e. cash or easily convertible assets.
We require you or one of your principals to have a background in restaurant operations as an owner, multi-unit franchise partner or operations executive.
Although Tony Roma’s does do single unit agreements, the current focus is in multi-unit development (3 - 5 units).
Tony Roma's Franchisees sign two agreements:
1. Development Agreement. The Development Agreement provides the exclusive development rights for a specific number of restaurants over a particular period of time and in a territory agreed upon by Tony Roma's and the franchise developer.
2. Franchise Agreement. Each restaurant has its own separate Franchise Agreement. Each agreement provides a 20-year right to operate as a Tony Roma's, and contains all terms and conditions pertaining to the operation of the restaurant.
It all started back in 1972 in North Miami when Tony opened his first restaurant. One weekend Tony threw some baby back ribs on the grill and the rest is history. Considered the pioneer of baby back ribs, Tony Roma’s can be found all over the world. The sensation that Tony started has become a worldwide success story. Tony Roma’s is committed to serving the best ribs anywhere. But the Tony Roma’s story does not end with ribs. Crisp, fresh salads, mouthwatering char-grilled steaks, and delicious, custom-topped seafood make up a menu that is sure to please. With over 150 restaurant locations on six continents, Tony Roma’s is one of the most globally recognizable names in the industry. From Miami to Los Angeles, Orlando to Edmonton, and Tokyo to Madrid, Tony Roma’s serves its signature ribs, world famous onion loaf, steak, chicken and seafood entrées to thousands of guests every day.
The first “Tony Roma’s” was opened in North Miami, Florida on January 20, 1972. The restaurant featured casual décor, comfortable ambience and the feel of a neighborhood bar. The menu was simple and consisted of great tasting food, reasonable prices, late evening service and nightly live entertainment. Baby Back ribs emerged as the house specialty with people traveling miles to sample the signature product. Tony Roma’s Place soon became one of Miami’s most popular and successful restaurants and firmly established its niche in the marketplace.
In January 1976, Clint Murchison Jr., a Texas financier and owner of the Dallas Cowboys was in Miami for the Super Bowl. After sampling Tony Roma’s ribs and coleslaw, he was convinced they were the best he had ever tasted. He offered to purchase the majority of the U.S. Franchise rights and establish a jointly owned company… Roma Corporation to fund aggressive growth and expansion.
The second restaurant was opened in Broward County, Florida in 1976. In December of that year the first West Coast restaurant opened in Beverly Hills. The opening was in true Hollywood tradition with numerous celebrities and sports figures in attendance. Over the next five years, new Tony Roma’s were opened in Florida, California, Hawaii, Nevada, New York, Tennessee and Texas. The first international Tony Roma’s, a Franchise, opened in Japan on August 9, 1979.
The first domestically franchised Tony Roma’s was opened in July 1982 in San Jose, California. In 1983, Tony Roma transferred his development rights to Roma Corporation and the following year Clint Murchison Jr. sold his interest in Tony Roma’s to his children. The headquarters was moved to Dallas, Texas and the company continued to grow both in Company and Franchise restaurant development.
Under current management, we’ve established a strong presence in Latin America and the Caribbean, and continued our growth in Canada and the United States. Tony Roma’s today has Company and Franchise operations throughout the world.
The company’s worldwide sales are in excess of $290 million. The enterprise is approximately 90% operated by Franchise Partners. About 75% of the restaurants are operated outside of the U.S.
Since beginning over 40 years ago, Tony Roma’s has been focused on serving its signature Baby Back ribs. The company has won numerous awards across the country, among them is “The Best Ribs in America”.
Tony Roma’s is not just a place for ribs anymore. We have expanded our menu to focus on variety for all guests. We have an extensive selection of steaks and seafood entrées along with the most unique appetizers and mini desserts in our segment. We have also redesigned our buildings and our service to meet the continuous high expectations of our guests.
The Company’s Mission is “Great Food Delivered by Professional, Friendly Team Members Resulting in Guest Loyalty… Worldwide."
Tony Roma's franchisees own and operate their own restaurants, offering excellent food quality in a fun and casual atmosphere.
More importantly, our franchisees are entitled to superior support systems.
Tony Roma's is committed to support each restaurant through every stage of development and operations, including site selection, restaurant construction, recruitment, training, marketing and on-going operations.
The role of the Tony Roma’s Franchise Operations Department is that of a business consultant providing two way communication by exchanging information and ideas between the Brand and the Franchise Community. For new Franchise Partners the Franchise Operations Department focuses on assisting with site selection, the construction stages, the opening processes, operating procedures and brand standards and culture. Once the Franchise Partner becomes proficient in operating their Tony Roma’s, the Franchise Operations Department assists in various marketing campaigns and menu rollouts and consults on building sales and profitability. Franchise Operations also consults on appropriate infrastructure and the critical path for development to meet the Franchise Partners’ and Tony Roma’s goals. By providing the proper tools and knowledge necessary to execute and grow while focusing on the business initiatives of the individual Franchise Partners, the Franchise Operations Department provides the necessary components that drive value to each Franchise Partner’s investment and the Enterprise at large.
Site Selection and Design
Site selection is based on individual characteristics of each market. We assist the franchisee by providing a Tony Roma's Site Evaluation Package. This document contains standard site and demographic requirements that will assist in evaluating a proposed location. We also provide a Site Submittal Package that is used to provide site information to the franchisor for review and assessment.
The role of the Purchasing / R&D / Culinary Operations Department is to be the driving force behind the menu evolution for Tony Roma’s that delivers a proven strategy for the success of our franchise partners and company restaurants. The department develops menu strategies for the brand by continually improving food offerings to our guests. The complete process from concept inception, product sourcing to in-store testing ensures that we are providing a complete service to our partners. Our mission is to ensure each menu item offered is flavorful, executable, and profitable while providing the guest with a high level of taste satisfaction whether choosing our World Famous Ribs, Fire Grilled Steaks with custom sauces, or Signature Seafood creations. We view our Franchise Partners as business partners whose success is our priority. We support franchise operations by providing on-site, hands-on culinary training, maintaining an alliance with a distribution system both nationally and internationally while maintaining a vendor family that supports our goals and values. Our department has previous operational experience and understands the “day in the life” of a restaurant manager. We understand the foundation needed to execute successfully while maintaining restaurant unit economics. The department functions as a resource to franchise partners and is committed to supporting their needs and requests.
Tony Roma’s Franchise Training provides all the information, systems, and training for our Franchise Partners so they can be successful. The Training team supports Franchise Partners during New Restaurant Openings, partner and manager training, and continual team member training. In addition to field based training support, the Training Department produces a variety of training material in print, web-based, and video formats.
Tony Roma’s marketing department offers full support for the franchisee partner for sales and branding needs. With more than 25 years of combined restaurant marketing experience, our team understands and realizes the importance of strategic marketing to your business as it pertains to increasing market share, tactical program implementation and sales building.
Our Support includes, but is not limited, to the following:
• Advertising Production and Media Buy Assistance
• Annual Promotional Calendar
• Local Store Marketing Manual
• Email and Digital Marketing
• Social Media Guidance, Implementation and Management
• In-House Graphic Design
• Public & Media Relations
• Grand Opening and Special Events
• Franchisee Intranet
At Tony Roma’s we embrace our heritage in Baby Back Ribs and Onion Loaves, but we’re so much more.
We take pride in using the freshest greens, herbs, fruits, vegetables, meats and seafood for our salads and entrées. It’s part of a tradition that includes making dozens of items from scratch every day —like fire-roasted vegetables, oven-baked desserts, hand-mashed redskin potatoes with real cream, sauces, marinades, dressings and original steak and seafood toppings. But the quality doesn’t stop there. Our innovative cooking techniques and attention to service help us deliver individually crafted dishes and memorable meals. Tony Roma’s captures the flavor of fine dining at affordable prices.
Our expertise in ribs has made us masters of the grill. At any given table you may find our guests enjoying our signature steaks and seafood too. At Tony Roma’s, guests can have their steak or fish customized to their exact tastes. Filet Medallions allow them to sample up to three steakhouse toppings, like Cabernet demi-glace, Wild Mushrooms or Bourbon BBQ onions for their quality steaks. Like Tony’s original place in North Miami, our restaurants provide a comfortable, unpretentious atmosphere to taste innovative new items like Tuscan Pesto Mahi with balsamic-glazed roasted artichoke hearts, grape tomatoes, red onion and feta cheese. Ahi Tuna Salad with wasabi broccoli slaw or the Nolita Deli Panini with Genoa salami, Havarti cheese and a homemade pepperoncini and caper sauce. Unexpected flavors in a chain concept with an unexpected bonus – all items are developed with an awareness of keeping food costs at a manageable level.
“Tony Roma’s truly has a Support Team. Whether purchasing, training, marketing or general operations, they always make themselves available. The vision and commitment of the management team for franchisees to succeed is unlike any I have been associated with in my 40 plus years in the business.”
–Rick Guerra, Costillas LTD.
“Current management has placed the brand ahead of its competition in food flavors and décor. We have worked with other franchises in the past and never received anywhere near this much support. The support provided is not a typical 9-5 support. It is a 24 hr 7 day, get-off-the-plane-after-a-16hr-flight-and-get-to-work type of support. Tony Roma’s sees its relationship with its franchisees as a partnership and truly treats it like one.”
–George & Steve Menexas, Quality Star Development, LLC
“We have been the Franchise Partner for Tony Roma’s in Malaysia since 2005 and are proud to be associated with one of the best casual dining brands from the USA. From the first day we brought the brand here, the support from the franchise team has been excellent and we have always managed to work a win-win situation with the strong team led by Ken and Brad. We look forward to developing the Tony Roma’s brand regionally!”
–George Ang, Grandpolitan SDN BHD
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long has Tony Roma’s been in business?
Tony Roma’s started back in 1972 in North Miami, Florida.
What are the minimum qualifications to become a Tony Roma’s franchisee?
Becoming a Tony Roma’s Franchisee requires a minimum liquid capital of $1 million USD in the form of cash, or easily convertible assets. Additionally, a minimum net worth of $3 million USD (not including residences, automobiles and other personal assets) is required.
What franchise markets are currently available for Tony Roma’s?
Markets are available domestically in many states and internationally in many countries. Once you have identified an available market submit a “Request for Consideration”.
How big is the typical Tony Roma’s?
Currently we have a larger prototype that is 5600sq.ft. and a smaller prototype that is 4900sq.ft.
What fees are involved with a Tony Roma’s franchise?
The non-refundable Development Fee per unit is $20,000 USD, with the Franchise Fee per unit being $20,000 USD for domestic units and $30,000 USD for international units. A Territory Fee may also apply for international development.
How much are Tony Roma’s royalties and advertising fees?
Royalties are based on 4% of net sales. Advertising fees are ½% for U.S. locations and ¼% for international locations. Please see the FDD/IFDD for more detail on royalties and advertising fees.
What is the cost of opening a Tony Roma’s?
The Initial Investment to begin operation of a new Tony Roma’s restaurant in the U.S. is estimated to be between $1,670,500 to $2,628,000, exclusive of real estate acquisition or lease costs. This includes $85,000 to $110,000 that must be paid to us or our affiliates.
How do I begin the Tony Roma’s franchise qualification process?
The qualification process can be started by submitting a “Request for Consideration”
I am interested in becoming a Tony Roma’s franchisee. What should I do next?
The first step is to submit a “Request for Consideration” on our website. Once we have received your inquiry, you will begin to move through the following process:
• A Tony Roma’s representative will contact you to complete an application.
• If approved, you will be given access to our online portal for us to learn about you and for you to learn about Tony Roma’s.
• We will then send you our FDD or IFDD.
• Phone calls will be scheduled as needed.
• You will then attend a Discovery Day in Orlando, FL.