Should I open or buy a LongHorn Steakhouse franchise in 2027?

👁 0 views📖 2,484 words⏱ 11 min read📅 Published Jun 4, 2026

Direct Answer

Probably not — unless you have $5M+ liquid net worth, multi-unit casual-dining operating experience, and you are pursuing an international market or a US airport concession. LongHorn Steakhouse is not franchised in the domestic US (street-side) — all 608 company-owned restaurants are Darden-operated.

The only paths in for 2027 are (a) Darden International franchising (Puerto Rico, Guam, Ecuador, San Antonio Mexico already taken) or (b) US airport licensing (Atlanta ATL, Detroit DTW already operated by HMSHost). Realistic all-in build-out: $2.0M–$3.5M per unit, 5–10% royalty, 5–8 year payback in airport concessions, 6–9 year payback internationally.

Buying a resale is impossible — Darden does not sell its company stores. If you wanted a Darden-style steakhouse cash-flow profile and real franchisee ownership, Texas Roadhouse is also closed to new franchisees, so your real comparables are Outback (Bloomin'), Ruth's Chris (Darden — same problem), or independent steakhouse builds.

The Real Numbers

LongHorn Steakhouse is a 608-unit casual-dining steakhouse chain owned by Darden Restaurants Inc. (NYSE: DRI), the largest full-service operator in the US. Domestic franchising is closed. The only Darden FDD-style disclosure is via the Darden International Franchising program and US Airport Franchising program, which use license agreements rather than the standard FTC-registered FDD that an Outback or Texas Roadhouse franchisee would receive.

The investment range Darden discloses on franchisedarden.com is $2.0M to $3.5M per unit, and corporate AUV implied from Q3 FY2026 ($854.2M systemwide / 608 units / 13 weeks) is roughly $5.4M annualized per restaurant — among the highest AUVs in casual dining.

Cost / Performance Line	LongHorn Airport / International	Casual-Dining Industry Reference
Initial license / franchise fee	$50K–$100K (negotiated, Darden licensing)	$40K–$50K (Outback, Texas Roadhouse benchmark)
Build-out + equipment	$1.4M–$2.6M (full-service kitchen, ~5,500–6,500 sq ft)	$1.2M–$2.4M casual steakhouse
Working capital (6 mo)	$300K–$500K	$250K–$400K
Total initial investment	$2.0M–$3.5M	$1.7M–$3.2M
Royalty %	5–6% of gross sales (Darden licensing standard)	4% (Outback), 4% (Texas Roadhouse)
Marketing / brand fund	2–3% of gross sales	1.5–4%
AUV — corporate stores (implied Q3 FY2026)	~$5.4M / unit	$4.3M Outback, $7.2M Texas Roadhouse
Airport-unit AUV	$6M–$10M (captive traffic, premium pricing)	$5M–$9M typical airport casual dining
EBITDA margin (operator)	15–19% company-store contribution; 10–14% as licensee after royalty + fees	12–16% Outback, 17–18% Texas Roadhouse
Year-1 operator cash flow (low end)	$200K–$450K	$250K–$500K
Payback	5–8 yrs airport, 6–9 yrs international	4–7 yrs Outback / TXRH equivalents
Darden Q3 FY2026 SSS growth	+7.2% (traffic +3.3, check +3.9)	+1.5% Knapp-Track casual-dining benchmark

Sources for the table: Darden Q3 FY2026 8-K (SEC EDGAR exhibit 99.1), franchisedarden.com, FSR Magazine, Restaurant Business Online. Domestic operators looking at a "LongHorn FDD" should understand no public FDD exists — Darden has not registered a Franchise Disclosure Document with state franchise regulators for domestic LongHorn units because they do not sell domestic franchises.

flowchart TD A[Want to own a LongHorn?] --> B{Domestic US street-side?} B -- Yes --> C[Impossible — Darden does not franchise] B -- No --> D{International or US airport?} D -- International --> E[Need $5M net worth + multi-unit FSR operator history] D -- US Airport --> F[Must partner with HMSHost / SSP / Paradies — they hold the master] E --> G[Apply via franchisedarden.com] F --> G G --> H{Darden approves territory?} H -- Yes --> I[License agreement, 5-6% royalty, $2.0-3.5M build] H -- No --> J[Consider Outback or Ruth Chris alt] C --> K[Build independent or buy Outback resale]

Who Wins With This Business

You win as a LongHorn operator if you are:

A multi-unit casual-dining operator with $5M+ net worth and $2M+ liquid, already running 10+ full-service restaurants (the unwritten Darden bar).
An international hospitality group in LatAm, the Middle East, or Southeast Asia with real-estate sourcing, supply-chain access to USDA-grade beef imports, and a track record with another US casual-dining brand (Applebee's, TGI Fridays, Chili's).
An airport concessionaire — HMSHost (Autogrill), SSP America, or Paradies Lagardère — bidding a multi-brand concession package where LongHorn is one of 4–6 brand slots.
A family office or PE-backed restaurant platform (think Sun Capital, Roark, NRD Capital) that wants to deploy $20M+ across 6–10 international units with one master-license agreement.
An operator who values brand strength — LongHorn's +7.2% Q3 FY2026 SSS crushed the casual-dining industry +1.5% Knapp-Track average by 5.7 percentage points, and the brand's traffic was up 3.3% while most competitors had negative traffic.
Someone with patience — Darden evaluates international partners over 12–24 months before signing.

Who Loses With This Business

You lose if you are:

A first-time franchisee with $500K–$1M to invest looking for a single-unit casual-dining business. LongHorn will not return your email — the minimum bar is roughly 10x your capital.
An investor expecting a domestic US franchise — there is no domestic US franchise to buy. People who Google "LongHorn Steakhouse franchise cost" and get $2M–$3.5M numbers from random "franchise directory" sites are being misled — those numbers reference the international/airport program, which 99% of US applicants will be rejected from.
A passive investor wanting absentee ownership — Darden requires the licensee's principal to be operationally engaged.
An operator without a real-estate book — Darden will not source sites for you internationally; you must bring the corner and the construction GC.
Anyone shopping by royalty rate — LongHorn's 5–6% royalty + 2–3% marketing = 7–9% total off the top, which is 2–3 points higher than Texas Roadhouse's 4% + 0% national ad fund (TXRH funds marketing at the unit level, not via royalty).
An operator who cannot handle beef-cost volatility — USDA Choice strip-loin pricing rose ~14% in 2025–2026, and Darden warned in its Q3 FY2026 call that beef inflation will be 8–10% in FY2027.

2027 Market Conditions

Casual-dining steakhouse is the hottest casual-dining segment in 2027 — and the worst segment for new entrants. Texas Roadhouse, LongHorn, and Outback captured ~$11B in combined US sales in FY2026, with steakhouse traffic up 4.2% while overall casual-dining traffic was down 1.8% (Black Box Intelligence, March 2026).

Three forces are shaping 2027:

1. Beef inflation pressure. CME live-cattle futures are trading at $204/cwt as of May 2026, +19% year-over-year, and the USDA forecasts cow-herd liquidation will keep beef tight through 2028. Darden is forward-contracting beef 12 months out and absorbing margin compression rather than passing it to consumers — a luxury an independent licensee will not have.

2. Value-positioning war. LongHorn ran the "7 entrees under $15" promotion through Q3 FY2026 and drove the +3.3% traffic gain. Outback responded with its "Aussie 4-Course" at $14.99, and Chili's "3 for Me" at $10.99 is bleeding traffic out of the entire casual-dining bench.

Operators without national-scale ad spend (which excludes most international licensees) cannot compete on this axis.

3. Airport concession consolidation. HMSHost (Autogrill), SSP America, Paradies Lagardère, and Areas USA control >85% of US airport F&B revenue. The only realistic path to a US LongHorn airport unit in 2027 is subcontracting under one of these masters when they win a new concourse RFP — typical lead time 3–5 years from RFP to ribbon-cutting.

flowchart LR A[2027 Market Forces] --> B[Beef inflation +8-10% FY27] A --> C[Value war $10.99-$14.99 entrees] A --> D[Airport RFP 3-5yr lead time] B --> E[Margin pressure on licensees] C --> E D --> F[Subcontract via HMSHost / SSP] E --> G[Year-1 EBITDA 10-14%] F --> G G --> H[Payback 5-9 yrs]

The 90-Day Decision Tree

Days 1–7 — Verify you are even eligible. Confirm $5M+ net worth and $2M+ liquid on a current personal financial statement. If you cannot, stop now and pivot to Outback Steakhouse (still franchising domestically with ~$2.5M investment, Bloomin' Brands FDD on file in 14 states) or a regional independent steakhouse build.
Days 8–14 — Pick your lane. Decide international (you need an entire-country territory plan) vs US airport (you need a relationship with HMSHost, SSP, Paradies, or Areas USA already). These are completely different applications.
Days 15–30 — Build the application package. Compile: personal financial statement (signed by CPA), operating resume (multi-unit FSR experience), proposed market analysis (population, demographics, competitor map), real-estate sourcing plan, local supply-chain plan for USDA beef import, proposed development schedule (3, 5, 10 units over 7 years is the typical Darden ask).
Days 31–45 — Submit via franchisedarden.com Business Contact Form. Darden's franchise development team responds in 2–4 weeks to qualified applicants only. Do not expect a response if your packet does not show multi-unit casual-dining operator history.
Days 46–60 — First Darden meeting. Conducted via video with Darden International Franchising team in Orlando, FL. They will dig into your operating history, balance sheet, and territory thesis. Bring named real-estate sites if possible.
Days 61–75 — Due diligence sprint. If invited to next round, expect on-site visits to your existing operations, reference checks with your beef supplier, landlord, and lenders, and a development-agreement term sheet outlining license fee, royalty, marketing fee, territory, and development schedule.
Days 76–90 — Go / no-go decision. Either sign a development agreement (typical: 3-unit minimum, $50K–$100K license fee per unit, 5–6% royalty, 2–3% marketing, 20-year term with 10-year renewal) or walk. Do not sign if Darden insists on a 5+ unit minimum and you cannot capitalize all 5 from current liquidity — beef-margin compression in 2027 will burn under-capitalized operators.

Alternative Plays

Outback Steakhouse (Bloomin' Brands) — actually franchising domestically. ~$2.5M initial investment, 4% royalty, $4.3M AUV. Realistic for a $1M–$2M liquidity operator.
Texas Roadhouse — closed to new franchisees since 2018 (acquires existing franchisee units instead). Path in: buy an existing TXRH franchisee group — typical EBITDA multiple 8–10x.
Ruth's Chris Steak House (Darden) — same problem as LongHorn: international + airport only after Darden's 2023 acquisition.
Black Rock Bar & Grill — emerging steakhouse-adjacent franchise, ~$1.5M investment, more accessible.
Independent steakhouse build — $1.2M–$2.5M all-in, no royalty, 15–20% operator margin if you nail beef sourcing. Best play for a $500K–$1.5M liquidity operator.
Acquire a regional 2–4 unit steakhouse group — 3–5x EBITDA multiples in secondary markets, immediate cash flow, no franchisor approval required.
Sponsor a Darden international partner as LP — minority-equity participation in a Darden-approved international licensee can give you brand exposure without the operator burden, typically $500K–$2M check size.

FAQ

Can I open a LongHorn Steakhouse franchise in the United States in 2027?

No, with two narrow exceptions. LongHorn Steakhouse does not franchise domestic street-side locations — all 608 US restaurants are company-owned by Darden Restaurants Inc.. The only domestic franchise paths are US airport concessions (Atlanta and Detroit already operated by HMSHost) and military bases / stadiums / hospitals under reserved-area licensing.

A standard suburban free-standing LongHorn is not available for sale or franchise to a private operator at any price. If you want a domestic steakhouse franchise, Outback Steakhouse via Bloomin' Brands is your only large-brand option in 2027.

What is the real total investment to open a LongHorn Steakhouse franchise?

$2.0 million to $3.5 million all-in, per Darden's franchisedarden.com disclosure. That breaks down to $50K–$100K license fee, $1.4M–$2.6M build-out and equipment (full-service kitchen, ~5,500–6,500 sq ft), and $300K–$500K working capital for the first 6 months. Royalty is 5–6% plus 2–3% marketing fee.

Realistic Year-1 operator cash flow is $200K–$450K after royalty and marketing fees, with payback in 5–9 years. Airport units skew higher AUV ($6M–$10M) but carry landlord-concession fees of 12–18% of gross, which compress operator EBITDA below international units.

How does LongHorn Steakhouse compare to Texas Roadhouse for franchisees?

Texas Roadhouse has higher AUV (~$7.2M vs LongHorn ~$5.4M) and lower royalty (4% vs 5–6%) but is closed to new franchisees — Texas Roadhouse stopped selling new franchises in 2018 and has been buying back existing franchisee units at 8–10x EBITDA. The only way into Texas Roadhouse is to acquire an existing franchisee group. LongHorn, by contrast, is open only internationally and at airports.

For an aspiring domestic street-side steakhouse franchisee with $1M–$2M liquidity, Outback Steakhouse is the only real choice among the big-three steakhouse brands in 2027.

What does Darden actually look for in an international LongHorn franchisee?

Five things, in priority order. First, multi-unit full-service restaurant operating experience — Darden wants partners already running 10+ FSR units in their home market. Second, $5M+ net worth and several million in liquid capital for multi-unit development. Third, a credible real-estate sourcing plan with named candidate sites.

Fourth, local supply-chain capability for USDA-imported beef — Darden will not solve beef sourcing for you. Fifth, a 3–10 unit development schedule over 7 years — single-unit deals are non-starters. Compliance history, brand-integrity track record, and operational reference checks are deal-breakers, not nice-to-haves.

What is LongHorn's same-restaurant sales performance heading into 2027?

Outstanding — +7.2% in Q3 FY2026 (quarter ended February 22, 2026), per Darden's 8-K filed with SEC EDGAR. That growth came from +3.3% traffic and +3.9% average check, partially offset by -0.5% menu mix. The casual-dining industry as a whole (per Black Box Intelligence / Knapp-Track) grew +1.5% in the same period — LongHorn outpaced the industry by 5.7 percentage points.

Systemwide sales hit $854.2M in Q3 FY2026, up from $768.1M a year prior. Darden CEO Rick Cardenas attributed performance to value pricing ("7 entrees under $15"), operational consistency, and share gains from Texas Roadhouse during beef-price volatility.

Bottom Line

LongHorn Steakhouse is the best-performing steakhouse brand in casual dining heading into 2027 — and it is essentially unavailable to private US franchisees. If you have $5M+ net worth, multi-unit FSR operator experience, and an international territory thesis or an airport-concession relationship, apply via franchisedarden.com.

Expect a 12–24 month approval cycle, $2.0M–$3.5M per unit, 5–6% royalty + 2–3% marketing, and 5–9 year payback. If you have less than $2M liquidity or no multi-unit operator history, Darden will not respond — pivot to Outback Steakhouse, buy a Texas Roadhouse franchisee group, or build an independent steakhouse with beef-sourcing as your moat.

Do not pay any "consultant" who promises to get you a domestic LongHorn franchise — it does not exist at any price.

Sources

LongHorn Steakhouse review / reviews / rating / review 2027 / review of LongHorn Steakhouse franchise.

Keep reading

## Direct Answer

**Probably not — unless you have $5M+ liquid net worth, multi-unit casual-dining operating experience, and you are pursuing an international market or a US airport concession.** LongHorn Steakhouse is **not franchised in the domestic US (street-side)** — all 608 company-owned restaurants are Darden-operated. The only paths in for 2027 are **(a) Darden International franchising** (Puerto Rico, Guam, Ecuador, San Antonio Mexico already taken) or **(b) US airport licensing** (Atlanta ATL, Detroit DTW already operated by HMSHost). Realistic all-in build-out: **$2.0M–$3.5M per unit**, **5–10% royalty**, **5–8 year payback** in airport concessions, **6–9 year payback** internationally. **Buying a resale is impossible** — Darden does not sell its company stores. If you wanted a Darden-style steakhouse cash-flow profile **and** real franchisee ownership, **Texas Roadhouse is also closed to new franchisees**, so your real comparables are **Outback (Bloomin')**, **Ruth's Chris (Darden — same problem)**, or **independent steakhouse** builds.

## The Real Numbers

LongHorn Steakhouse is a **608-unit casual-dining steakhouse chain** owned by **Darden Restaurants Inc. (NYSE: DRI)**, the largest full-service operator in the US. **Domestic franchising is closed.** The only Darden FDD-style disclosure is via the **Darden International Franchising program** and **US Airport Franchising program**, which use license agreements rather than the standard FTC-registered FDD that an Outback or Texas Roadhouse franchisee would receive. The investment range Darden discloses on franchisedarden.com is **$2.0M to $3.5M per unit**, and corporate **AUV implied from Q3 FY2026 ($854.2M systemwide / 608 units / 13 weeks)** is roughly **$5.4M annualized per restaurant** — among the highest AUVs in casual dining.

| Cost / Performance Line | LongHorn Airport / International | Casual-Dining Industry Reference |
|---|---|---|
| **Initial license / franchise fee** | **$50K–$100K** (negotiated, Darden licensing) | $40K–$50K (Outback, Texas Roadhouse benchmark) |
| **Build-out + equipment** | **$1.4M–$2.6M** (full-service kitchen, ~5,500–6,500 sq ft) | $1.2M–$2.4M casual steakhouse |
| **Working capital (6 mo)** | **$300K–$500K** | $250K–$400K |
| **Total initial investment** | **$2.0M–$3.5M** | $1.7M–$3.2M |
| **Royalty %** | **5–6% of gross sales** (Darden licensing standard) | 4% (Outback), 4% (Texas Roadhouse) |
| **Marketing / brand fund** | **2–3% of gross sales** | 1.5–4% |
| **AUV — corporate stores (implied Q3 FY2026)** | **~$5.4M / unit** | $4.3M Outback, $7.2M Texas Roadhouse |
| **Airport-unit AUV** | **$6M–$10M** (captive traffic, premium pricing) | $5M–$9M typical airport casual dining |
| **EBITDA margin (operator)** | **15–19%** company-store contribution; **10–14%** as licensee after royalty + fees | 12–16% Outback, 17–18% Texas Roadhouse |
| **Year-1 operator cash flow (low end)** | **$200K–$450K** | $250K–$500K |
| **Payback** | **5–8 yrs airport, 6–9 yrs international** | 4–7 yrs Outback / TXRH equivalents |
| **Darden Q3 FY2026 SSS growth** | **+7.2%** (traffic +3.3, check +3.9) | +1.5% Knapp-Track casual-dining benchmark |

**Sources for the table: Darden Q3 FY2026 8-K (SEC EDGAR exhibit 99.1), franchisedarden.com, FSR Magazine, Restaurant Business Online.** Domestic operators looking at a "LongHorn FDD" should understand **no public FDD exists** — Darden has not registered a Franchise Disclosure Document with state franchise regulators for domestic LongHorn units because **they do not sell domestic franchises**.

```mermaid
flowchart TD
  A[Want to own a LongHorn?] --> B{Domestic US street-side?}
  B -- Yes --> C[Impossible — Darden does not franchise]
  B -- No --> D{International or US airport?}
  D -- International --> E[Need $5M net worth + multi-unit FSR operator history]
  D -- US Airport --> F[Must partner with HMSHost / SSP / Paradies — they hold the master]
  E --> G[Apply via franchisedarden.com]
  F --> G
  G --> H{Darden approves territory?}
  H -- Yes --> I[License agreement, 5-6% royalty, $2.0-3.5M build]
  H -- No --> J[Consider Outback or Ruth Chris alt]
  C --> K[Build independent or buy Outback resale]
```

## Who Wins With This Business

**You win as a LongHorn operator if you are:**

- A **multi-unit casual-dining operator** with **$5M+ net worth and $2M+ liquid**, already running 10+ full-service restaurants (the unwritten Darden bar).
- An **international hospitality group** in **LatAm, the Middle East, or Southeast Asia** with **real-estate sourcing, supply-chain access to USDA-grade beef imports**, and a track record with another US casual-dining brand (Applebee's, TGI Fridays, Chili's).
- An **airport concessionaire** — **HMSHost (Autogrill)**, **SSP America**, or **Paradies Lagardère** — bidding a multi-brand concession package where LongHorn is one of 4–6 brand slots.
- A **family office or PE-backed restaurant platform** (think **Sun Capital**, **Roark**, **NRD Capital**) that wants to deploy $20M+ across 6–10 international units with one master-license agreement.
- An operator who values **brand strength** — LongHorn's **+7.2% Q3 FY2026 SSS** crushed the casual-dining industry **+1.5% Knapp-Track average** by **5.7 percentage points**, and the brand's **traffic was up 3.3%** while most competitors had **negative traffic**.
- Someone with **patience** — Darden evaluates international partners over **12–24 months** before signing.

## Who Loses With This Business

**You lose if you are:**

- A **first-time franchisee** with **$500K–$1M to invest** looking for a single-unit casual-dining business. **LongHorn will not return your email** — the minimum bar is roughly 10x your capital.
- An **investor expecting a domestic US franchise** — **there is no domestic US franchise to buy**. People who Google "LongHorn Steakhouse franchise cost" and get $2M–$3.5M numbers from random "franchise directory" sites are being misled — those numbers reference the international/airport program, which **99% of US applicants will be rejected from**.
- A **passive investor** wanting absentee ownership — Darden requires the **licensee's principal to be operationally engaged**.
- An **operator without a real-estate book** — Darden will not source sites for you internationally; you must bring the corner and the construction GC.
- Anyone **shopping by royalty rate** — LongHorn's **5–6% royalty + 2–3% marketing = 7–9% total off the top**, which is **2–3 points higher** than Texas Roadhouse's 4% + 0% national ad fund (TXRH funds marketing at the unit level, not via royalty).
- An operator who **cannot handle beef-cost volatility** — **USDA Choice strip-loin pricing rose ~14% in 2025–2026**, and Darden warned in its Q3 FY2026 call that **beef inflation will be 8–10% in FY2027**.

## 2027 Market Conditions

**Casual-dining steakhouse is the hottest casual-dining segment in 2027** — and the worst segment for new entrants. **Texas Roadhouse, LongHorn, and Outback** captured **~$11B in combined US sales in FY2026**, with **steakhouse traffic up 4.2%** while overall casual-dining traffic was **down 1.8%** (Black Box Intelligence, March 2026). Three forces are shaping 2027:

**1. Beef inflation pressure.** **CME live-cattle futures are trading at $204/cwt** as of May 2026, **+19% year-over-year**, and the USDA forecasts **cow-herd liquidation will keep beef tight through 2028**. Darden is **forward-contracting beef 12 months out** and absorbing margin compression rather than passing it to consumers — a luxury an independent licensee will not have.

**2. Value-positioning war.** LongHorn ran the **"7 entrees under $15"** promotion through Q3 FY2026 and **drove the +3.3% traffic gain**. **Outback responded with its "Aussie 4-Course" at $14.99**, and **Chili's "3 for Me" at $10.99** is bleeding traffic out of the entire casual-dining bench. Operators without national-scale ad spend (which excludes most international licensees) cannot compete on this axis.

**3. Airport concession consolidation.** **HMSHost (Autogrill), SSP America, Paradies Lagardère, and Areas USA control >85% of US airport F&B revenue.** The only realistic path to a US LongHorn airport unit in 2027 is **subcontracting under one of these masters** when they win a new concourse RFP — typical lead time **3–5 years from RFP to ribbon-cutting**.

```mermaid
flowchart LR
  A[2027 Market<br/>Forces] --> B[Beef inflation<br/>+8-10% FY27]
  A --> C[Value war<br/>$10.99-$14.99 entrees]
  A --> D[Airport RFP<br/>3-5yr lead time]
  B --> E[Margin pressure<br/>on licensees]
  C --> E
  D --> F[Subcontract via<br/>HMSHost / SSP]
  E --> G[Year-1 EBITDA<br/>10-14%]
  F --> G
  G --> H[Payback 5-9 yrs]
```

## The 90-Day Decision Tree

1. **Days 1–7 — Verify you are even eligible.** Confirm **$5M+ net worth** and **$2M+ liquid** on a current personal financial statement. If you cannot, **stop now** and pivot to Outback Steakhouse (still franchising domestically with ~$2.5M investment, Bloomin' Brands FDD on file in 14 states) or a regional independent steakhouse build.
2. **Days 8–14 — Pick your lane.** Decide **international** (you need an entire-country territory plan) vs **US airport** (you need a relationship with HMSHost, SSP, Paradies, or Areas USA already). These are completely different applications.
3. **Days 15–30 — Build the application package.** Compile: **personal financial statement (signed by CPA)**, **operating resume (multi-unit FSR experience)**, **proposed market analysis (population, demographics, competitor map)**, **real-estate sourcing plan**, **local supply-chain plan for USDA beef import**, **proposed development schedule (3, 5, 10 units over 7 years is the typical Darden ask)**.
4. **Days 31–45 — Submit via franchisedarden.com Business Contact Form.** Darden's franchise development team responds in **2–4 weeks** to qualified applicants only. **Do not expect a response** if your packet does not show multi-unit casual-dining operator history.
5. **Days 46–60 — First Darden meeting.** Conducted via video with **Darden International Franchising team in Orlando, FL**. They will dig into your **operating history, balance sheet, and territory thesis**. Bring **named real-estate sites** if possible.
6. **Days 61–75 — Due diligence sprint.** If invited to next round, expect **on-site visits to your existing operations**, **reference checks with your beef supplier, landlord, and lenders**, and **a development-agreement term sheet** outlining license fee, royalty, marketing fee, territory, and development schedule.
7. **Days 76–90 — Go / no-go decision.** Either **sign a development agreement** (typical: **3-unit minimum, $50K–$100K license fee per unit, 5–6% royalty, 2–3% marketing**, 20-year term with 10-year renewal) **or walk**. **Do not sign if Darden insists on a 5+ unit minimum and you cannot capitalize all 5 from current liquidity** — beef-margin compression in 2027 will burn under-capitalized operators.

## Alternative Plays

- **Outback Steakhouse (Bloomin' Brands)** — actually franchising domestically. ~**$2.5M initial investment**, **4% royalty**, **$4.3M AUV**. Realistic for a **$1M–$2M liquidity** operator.
- **Texas Roadhouse** — **closed to new franchisees** since 2018 (acquires existing franchisee units instead). Path in: **buy an existing TXRH franchisee group** — typical EBITDA multiple **8–10x**.
- **Ruth's Chris Steak House (Darden)** — same problem as LongHorn: **international + airport only** after Darden's 2023 acquisition.
- **Black Rock Bar & Grill** — emerging steakhouse-adjacent franchise, **~$1.5M investment**, more accessible.
- **Independent steakhouse build** — **$1.2M–$2.5M** all-in, **no royalty**, **15–20% operator margin** if you nail beef sourcing. Best play for a **$500K–$1.5M liquidity operator**.
- **Acquire a regional 2–4 unit steakhouse group** — **3–5x EBITDA multiples** in secondary markets, **immediate cash flow**, no franchisor approval required.
- **Sponsor a Darden international partner as LP** — minority-equity participation in a Darden-approved international licensee can give you **brand exposure without the operator burden**, typically **$500K–$2M check size**.

## FAQ

### Can I open a LongHorn Steakhouse franchise in the United States in 2027?

**No, with two narrow exceptions.** LongHorn Steakhouse does **not franchise domestic street-side locations** — all **608 US restaurants are company-owned by Darden Restaurants Inc.**. The only domestic franchise paths are **US airport concessions** (Atlanta and Detroit already operated by HMSHost) and **military bases / stadiums / hospitals** under reserved-area licensing. **A standard suburban free-standing LongHorn is not available for sale or franchise to a private operator at any price.** If you want a domestic steakhouse franchise, **Outback Steakhouse via Bloomin' Brands** is your only large-brand option in 2027.

### What is the real total investment to open a LongHorn Steakhouse franchise?

**$2.0 million to $3.5 million all-in**, per Darden's franchisedarden.com disclosure. That breaks down to **$50K–$100K license fee**, **$1.4M–$2.6M build-out and equipment** (full-service kitchen, ~5,500–6,500 sq ft), and **$300K–$500K working capital** for the first 6 months. **Royalty is 5–6%** plus **2–3% marketing fee**. Realistic **Year-1 operator cash flow is $200K–$450K** after royalty and marketing fees, with **payback in 5–9 years**. **Airport units skew higher AUV ($6M–$10M)** but carry **landlord-concession fees of 12–18% of gross**, which compress operator EBITDA below international units.

### How does LongHorn Steakhouse compare to Texas Roadhouse for franchisees?

**Texas Roadhouse has higher AUV (~$7.2M vs LongHorn ~$5.4M)** and **lower royalty (4% vs 5–6%)** but is **closed to new franchisees** — Texas Roadhouse stopped selling new franchises in 2018 and has been **buying back existing franchisee units** at 8–10x EBITDA. **The only way into Texas Roadhouse is to acquire an existing franchisee group.** LongHorn, by contrast, is **open only internationally and at airports**. For an aspiring **domestic street-side steakhouse franchisee with $1M–$2M liquidity, Outback Steakhouse is the only real choice** among the big-three steakhouse brands in 2027.

### What does Darden actually look for in an international LongHorn franchisee?

**Five things, in priority order.** First, **multi-unit full-service restaurant operating experience** — Darden wants partners already running 10+ FSR units in their home market. Second, **$5M+ net worth and several million in liquid capital** for multi-unit development. Third, **a credible real-estate sourcing plan** with named candidate sites. Fourth, **local supply-chain capability for USDA-imported beef** — Darden will not solve beef sourcing for you. Fifth, **a 3–10 unit development schedule over 7 years** — single-unit deals are non-starters. **Compliance history, brand-integrity track record, and operational reference checks are deal-breakers**, not nice-to-haves.

### What is LongHorn's same-restaurant sales performance heading into 2027?

**Outstanding — +7.2% in Q3 FY2026** (quarter ended February 22, 2026), per Darden's 8-K filed with SEC EDGAR. That growth came from **+3.3% traffic and +3.9% average check, partially offset by -0.5% menu mix**. The casual-dining industry as a whole (per **Black Box Intelligence / Knapp-Track**) grew **+1.5%** in the same period — **LongHorn outpaced the industry by 5.7 percentage points**. Systemwide sales hit **$854.2M in Q3 FY2026**, up from $768.1M a year prior. Darden CEO Rick Cardenas attributed performance to **value pricing ("7 entrees under $15")**, **operational consistency**, and **share gains from Texas Roadhouse during beef-price volatility**.

## Bottom Line

**LongHorn Steakhouse is the best-performing steakhouse brand in casual dining heading into 2027 — and it is essentially unavailable to private US franchisees.** If you have **$5M+ net worth, multi-unit FSR operator experience, and an international territory thesis or an airport-concession relationship**, apply via **franchisedarden.com**. Expect a **12–24 month approval cycle**, **$2.0M–$3.5M per unit**, **5–6% royalty + 2–3% marketing**, and **5–9 year payback**. If you have **less than $2M liquidity or no multi-unit operator history**, **Darden will not respond** — pivot to **Outback Steakhouse**, **buy a Texas Roadhouse franchisee group**, or **build an independent steakhouse** with beef-sourcing as your moat. **Do not pay any "consultant" who promises to get you a domestic LongHorn franchise — it does not exist at any price.**

## Sources

- [LongHorn Steakhouse International Franchising & US Airport Franchising — franchisedarden.com](https://franchisedarden.com/darden-international/longhorn-steakhouse/)
- [Darden International and US Airport Franchising Opportunities — franchisedarden.com](https://franchisedarden.com/)
- [Darden Restaurants Q3 FY2026 8-K Exhibit 99.1 — SEC EDGAR](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000940944/000094094426000005/exhibit991-q3fy26.htm)
- [Darden Restaurants Reports Fiscal 2026 Third Quarter Results — Darden Investor Relations](https://investor.darden.com/news/news-details/2026/Darden-Restaurants-Reports-Fiscal-2026-Third-Quarter-Results-Declares-Quarterly-Dividend-And-Updates-Fiscal-2026-Financial-Outlook/default.aspx)
- [LongHorn Steakhouse Keeps Outpacing The Casual-Dining Industry — FSR Magazine](https://www.fsrmagazine.com/feature/longhorn-steakhouse-keeps-outpacing-the-casual-dining-industry/)
- [Darden Serves Up A Win — LongHorn Steakhouse Is The Star Dish — Benzinga](https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst-color/26/03/51364272/darden-serves-up-a-win-longhorn-steakhouse-is-the-star-dish)
- [LongHorn Steakhouse leans into value to drive cost-conscious consumers — eMarketer](https://www.emarketer.com/content/longhorn-steakhouse-growth-high-beef-prices-darden)
- [LongHorn Steakhouse — Wikipedia (corporate structure, unit count history)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LongHorn_Steakhouse)
- [Darden Restaurants — Wikipedia (parent company, brand portfolio)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darden_Restaurants)
- [Olive Garden Franchise FDD, Profits & Costs (2025) — Sharpsheets (Darden franchise structure reference)](https://sharpsheets.io/blog/olive-garden-franchise-fdd-profits-costs-fees/)
- [Texas Roadhouse Steakhouse Franchise Cost & Opportunities — FranchiseHelp](https://www.franchisehelp.com/franchises/texas-roadhouse-steakhouse/)
- [USDA ERS Cattle & Beef Outlook — Live Cattle Pricing 2025-2026](https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/animal-products/cattle-beef/)

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