Founders Table Acquires Hopdoddy Burger Bar

Founders Table Restaurant Group has acquired Austin-based Hopdoddy Burger Bar, the latest move in a roll-up that now spans more than 200 restaurants across 18 states. The deal adds a 47-unit better-burger chain to a portfolio that already includes Chopt, Dos Toros, Protein Bar & Kitchen, and Field Trip. Terms were not disclosed.

Why a multi-brand platform keeps buying

Founders Table builds value by running regional fast-casual brands on shared infrastructure. Each acquisition spreads the cost of operations, technology, real estate, and supply chain across more units, which lifts margins without forcing one brand to grow faster than its market allows.

What changes for Hopdoddy

Hopdoddy moves onto Founders Table's proprietary technology systems and joins a licensing and franchise development program that already counts more than 50 open or pipeline locations. For a chain that grew mostly through company-owned restaurants, that program opens a franchising path it did not have on its own.

A leadership handoff signals the next phase

Jeff Chandler, Hopdoddy's CEO for the past decade, steps into an advisory role, and longtime operations head Kenny Jett becomes president. Promoting an operator rather than importing an outsider keeps unit-level discipline intact while the brand absorbs new systems.

The read for operators

Hopdoddy entered the deal with 12 straight periods of positive same-store sales, so this is a buyer acquiring strength, not a turnaround. Expect Founders Table to push franchise development and nontraditional sites next, which means new territory could open for operators who want a proven better-burger brand with platform support behind it.