Ford’s Garage, a budding burger-and-craft-beer franchise that gives the vibe of being in a 1920’s service station/prohibition bar, is headed to Dallas.

 The Florida-based franchise has signed a multi-unit agreement for the development of 7-10 restaurants throughout metro Dallas. Leading the local expansion are long-time friends and restaurateurs Brian Judd and Jason Borders. No strangers to the restaurant industry, the duo possesses nearly 70 years of combined experience owning and operating restaurants ranging from fast casual to fine dining. 

Their first restaurant is slated to open in Plano in early 2022. While leases have yet to be signed for the remaining restaurants, Judd and Borders are eyeing North Dallas, the DFW Mid Cities, North Fort Worth and Tarrant County for potential sites.

“Ford Motor Company has quite a rich history as one of America’s most important manufacturing companies. That history also translates to a pretty cool dining experience, as it turns out, and we’re excited to be bringing that experience to Dallas,” says Judd. “With its Ford-inspired design cues and first-rate service and food, Ford’s Garage will offer something for everyone, from toddlers to grandparents.”

Today, Ford’s Garage is the first and only restaurant to be allowed rights to Ford’s iconic blue-oval logo, as well as other of the automotive giant’s brand imagery, including archived historical photos, images of vehicles and actual Model Ts.

Such items have become standard décor at Ford’s Garage. Each restaurant is designed to look like a gas station from the 1920s and is filled with vintage Ford vehicles, fixtures, and gas pumps. Servers sport blue mechanic shirts. Blue shop cloths double as napkins. Even the bars inside the restaurants are decidedly vintage, mixing prohibition-style elements like brick, richly colored woods, and a copper bar top that’s hammered by hand. Many more unique features, too numerous to list, really make Ford’s Garage a fun place to visit and take pictures. 

“Every aspect is branded,” Borders says. “The many unique features really make Ford’s Garage a fun place to visit, eat and take pictures.” 

However, aside from all of the nostalgia, Ford’s Garage is a good old fashioned burger and beer joint, too. Burgers are the main draw, with the finest varieties of meat (and a vegetarian option) coupled with all-natural aged cheeses, fresh toppings and gourmet sauces on artesian buns branded with the Ford logo. The restaurants also specialize in popular American comfort food options like homemade meatloaf, chicken wings and tenders, onion rings, and famous macaroni and cheese. Lighter fare such as fresh salads, grilled chicken, and various seafood option are also available.

What’s more, the beer list at Ford’s Garage is carefully mapped out with 150 different types of beer (40 on draft), with a heavy influence of American craft beers from all around the country. The restaurants also serve wine and cocktails, as well as nonalcoholic options. 

“Ford’s Garage has proven itself a turnkey operation that will be a popular dining out choice in any neighborhood,” says Ford’s Garage Vice President of Business Development & Franchise Relations Scott Estes. “We’re thrilled to welcome Brian and Jason to the family, and look forward to serving up our burgers in Dallas with a side of automotive history.

The local expansion is part of a broader growth initiative that expects to see the 16-unit chain – all of which are operated by franchisees – open about a dozen new restaurants nationwide by the end of next year. Development deals have already been signed for 11 of those restaurants across Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Texas.

Including a franchise fee of $50,000, the total investment to open a Ford’s Garage restaurant ranges from $1,461,800 to $6,353,000. Most of Ford’s Garage’s forthcoming locations will be approximately 8,900 square feet with about 250 seats, and have between 95 and 115 employees.