Meet Our Franchisees

What was your occupation prior to becoming a Beef ’O’ Brady’s franchisee? 
College Student/Manny (looked after a child with a mental & physical disability).

What inspired you to become a franchisee? 
Watching Steelers games at sports bars with my father growing up.

What do you enjoy most about owning a Beef ’O’ Brady’s Family Sports Restaurant? 
Every day is something new and exciting while still getting to know the same friendly faces... that's the difference between Beef's and other restaurants. The neighborhood/community personal element that keeps us from suffering from the historic "restaurant drama."

Does community involvement play a role in your success? If so, how?  
I grew up going to places like Beef's and now I have a family that fits the mold.  So yes, it is not a stretch that I identify with and embrace the brand 100%.

How has your life changed since becoming a franchisee?  
Hard to answer that question or even really know...it has basically been my adult life.

What inspired you to become a franchisee?
What inspired me to become a franchisee was the opportunity to build something of my own while being part of a proven, value-driven brand. I always wanted to open a sports restaurant. I wanted the challenge of creating a successful spot for locals to hang out while also offering a place for people to work and develop life skills. I love how the Beef’s system works. I am thrilled with the way both corporate and franchisees constantly work together to make us a success.

What do you enjoy most about owning a Beef 'O' Brady's Family Sports Restaurant?
What I enjoy most about owning a Beef ’O’ Brady’s Family Sports Restaurant is the sense of community it creates. It is more than a place to eat, it’s where families gather after games, friends come together to cheer on their teams, and regular guests feel genuinely welcomed and known.

I also love being able to create a positive environment for both guests and employees. Watching my staff grow, building lasting relationships with our customers, and knowing we’re providing a fun, family-friendly space people can count on is incredibly rewarding. I am very proud of the fact that I have 4 employees that have been with me for the entire journey of 18+ years and 7 others with 9 or more years.

Does community involvement play a role in your success? If so, how?
Absolutely—community involvement plays a vital role in our success. Being actively engaged in the community helps us build genuine relationships and trust, which naturally strengthens our connection with our guests. When people see us supporting local schools, youth sports teams, and running fundraisers, they know we’re invested in more than just business—we’re invested in them.

That involvement creates loyalty and a sense of shared pride. Guests don’t just visit us to eat; they support us because they see us as a true community partner. In return, those relationships drive word-of-mouth, repeat visits, and long-term growth, making community engagement an essential part of our success.

How has your life changed since becoming a franchisee?
My life has changed in many ways. Becoming a franchisee has been the most rewarding business venture. I have been excited to not only use my business experience but to also develop even more management skills. As President of the FAC for the past 12 years, I feel like I have helped develop Beef’s in many ways. I have worked closely with many great people, not only the members of our team but I have worked closely with members of corporate as well.  From Chris to Scott to Heather and everyone else, we together have helped make better decisions for the overall success of the brand.

One final thought, I have made lifelong friendships and have helped many employees find their way in life and that in itself has been life changing.

Chat with Matt
What was your occupation prior to becoming a Beef ’O’ Brady’s franchisee?
I worked at a Beef 'O' Brady's.

What inspired you to become a franchisee?
The opportunity for me to be successful in a career that best suited me and my personality.

What do you enjoy most about owning a Beef ’O’ Brady’s Family Sports Restaurant?
The people, the sports, the camaraderie, and being able to impact people lives with what I do. Impacting people's lives from staff members to charity events to just putting a smile on their face.  Makes the job not a job, but what I do.

Does community involvement play a role in your success? If so, how?
Yes, community involvement plays a significant role in our success. Being an active part of the community isn’t just something we do, it’s who we are. As a restaurant, building genuine connections with the people around us creates trust, loyalty, and a sense of belonging. When guests see us supporting local events, organizations, and causes, it strengthens relationships and reinforces that we’re more than just a place to dine—we’re a true part of the community.

How has your life changed since becoming a franchisee?
My life has changed many ways being a franchisee. One of the best ways is I met my wife at Beef 'O' Brady's, and that alone makes everything worth it. 

Watching kids grow up in Beef's neighborhood has been one of the high points as well. I have seen people meet at Beef 'O' Brady's get married and have kids, and I love it.

Chat with Akacia
What was your occupation prior to becoming a Beef ’O’ Brady’s franchisee?
I have worked for Beef ‘O’ Brady’s my whole life, progressing from host to server, bartender, manager and eventually franchisee.

What inspired you to become a franchisee?
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s as a whole is inspiring. The brand is so welcoming and homey and there is always someone you can contact if you need something.

Also, my husband Matthew Amato has always been my inspiration. The way he cares for Beef’s is admirable. He has always believed in Beef’s and being with him for over a decade that has definitely rubbed off on me.  Matthew has taught me everything I know about Beef’s, and I am very thankful for that!

What do you enjoy most about owning a Beef ’O’ Brady’s Family Sports Restaurant?
It’s the people and the everyday moments at Beef’s—being part of their lives and watching them grow up, get married, and go off to college.

Does community involvement play a role in your success? If so, how?
100%. We want Beef’s to always be the neighborhood pub. We want everyone to think of us like their own Cheers. We want kids to choose us before and after games. We want people to remember Beef’s as the place that sponsored their team, gave a gift certificate to their group, hosted a spirit night, or catered their church event. The more we get involved in the community, the more people come through our doors—and the more we can show them how amazing Beef’s is. Any way we can be involved is a good thing.

How has your life changed since becoming a franchisee?
In the best way! I couldn’t imagine my life any differently. Being a franchisee helps you see things from everyone’s perspective. It also helps you with patience and understanding as it makes you look at things from other people’s point of view.