HBCU Grad Makes History With Purchase Of Fuddruckers Franchise
Popular hamburger chain Fuddruckers has just been purchased by Nicholas Perkins. The achievement is notable for several reasons, one is because it makes him the largest franchise owner period, and another is that he’s the first Black American to gain full ownership of a national burger business. According to Essence, the franchise was purchased from Luby’s for an estimated $18.5 million through Perkins’ Black Titan Franchise Systems LLC.
Luby’s is a Houston-based cafeteria chain that began dissolving as a company last year. It appears that the timing was perfect, as Fuddruckers, which once peaked around 500 locations, is now down to only 92 locations nationwide.
“We’re excited to be purchasing Fuddruckers and look forward to working with Fuddruckers’ many dedicated, highly capable franchisees to further build this brand,” Perkins said in the press release. “As a Fuddruckers franchisee, I have a vested interest in ensuring that all Fuddruckers franchisees have the resources, infrastructure, and operational and marketing support they need to maximize their return on investment. This strategic alignment, when combined with the fact that we sell the “World’s Greatest Hamburgers’, will ensure the long-term success of the brand and our franchisees.”
Born from Fayetteville, North Carolina, Perkins gained a passion for cooking from his grandmother. As a HBCU alum, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Management from Fayetteville State University, later earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Howard University.
“I always wanted to become a part of this iconic brand. I just didn’t realize that one day I’d end up owning it,” Perkins said. Growing up on Fuddruckers, Perkins’ claims “you cannot buy a better burger.” He plans on revitalizing the brand by growing franchise operations individually, bringing in new franchisees internationally and domestically, and finding strategic marketing partnership opportunities for long term growth.
