Founders Table Restaurant Group, the fast-casual platform behind Chopt, Dos Toros, Field Trip, and Protein Bar, announced on June 24 the acquisition of Hopdoddy Burger Bar, an Austin-based chain with 47 locations and $138 million in system sales. The acquisition expands Founders Table’s portfolio to more than 200 units and nearly $500 million in annual revenue, further positioning the company as a growing operator of restaurant brands, franchise concepts, and multi-unit dining businesses.
Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Hopdoddy, founded in Austin, Texas, operates 47 locations across the U.S., including 30 in Texas. The chain generated $138 million in system sales in its most recent reported period, with an average unit volume of approximately $2.9 million, according to data from Technomic. Known for craft burgers, boozy shakes, and a bar menu featuring local craft beers and margaritas, Hopdoddy has built a following since its founding.
Founders Table Expands Its Fast-Casual Platform
Founders Table Restaurant Group, established in 2020, operates a multi-brand fast-casual platform designed to scale regionally while sharing infrastructure. The group focuses on building and supporting restaurant brands through a centralized operating model and franchise brand development strategies where applicable. Before the Hopdoddy deal, the group operated Chopt Creative Salad Company, Dos Toros Taqueria, Field Trip, and Protein Bar, each developing in distinct regional markets. The shared back-end model covers operations, technology, real estate, and supply chain functions.
“Hopdoddy is a standout brand with all the ingredients we look for: a differentiated concept, passionate guest loyalty, and a commitment to quality that resonates across markets,” said Nick Marsh, CEO of Founders Table. Marsh added that the platform’s infrastructure would enable Hopdoddy to accelerate its growth. The acquisition brings Founders Table’s combined network to more than 200 locations generating nearly $500 million in annual revenue. Harrington Park Advisor served as the financial advisor to Hopdoddy during the transaction.
A Leadership Transition at Hopdoddy
Jeff Chandler, who served as CEO of Hopdoddy for approximately a decade, will step into a board advisory role following the closing of the deal. Kenny Jett, the brand’s Vice President of Operations, has been named President and will lead the chain under its new ownership. Chandler announced the transition on LinkedIn earlier in the week. The move signals a shift toward an operationally focused leadership at a time when the brand is expected to ramp up unit development through Founders Table’s platform.
Multi-Brand Platform Deals Signal a Shift in Fast Casual
The Hopdoddy acquisition reflects a broader trend in the fast-casual sector toward portfolio approaches. Rather than scaling a single concept nationally, platforms like Founders Table aggregate complementary brands with distinct identities and regional depth, pooling back-office costs to improve unit economics. Hopdoddy’s focus on quality burgers and a bar experience positions it differently from other concepts in the Founders Table portfolio, which skews toward salads, grain bowls, and health-oriented menus. Whether the acquisition leads to accelerated expansion outside Texas, where Hopdoddy is most established, has not been publicly detailed.
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