Q. When should I place my order?

A. One week notice is always helpful when placing your order, but we can still typically fulfill your order in less time if necessary.

Q. Should I call my local Brown’s or the Catering Call Center (888-582-7700) to place my order?

A. It is always best to contact our Catering Call Center. Our Catering Experts are available to answer all of your questions and suggest the best possible package to fit your catering needs. Once your order is placed Brown’s Catering Experts then send your order to the corresponding Brown’s location to prepare your order from that point on.

Q. Does Brown’s deliver?

A. Yes, delivery & setup is available in most areas for an additional charge.

Q. Can I pick my order up?

A. Yes, you can pick your catering order up from the Brown’s location that you specify when placing your order.

Q. If I order from the A La Carte menu is anything other than the food included?

A. No, items ordered from our A La Carte menu do not include any bread, sweet peppers, giardiniera, tableware, warmers, etc. so they would need to be ordered separately.

Q. How many guests do Brown’s Party Packs serve?

A. Most of our Party Packs serve 10-15 guests; however two of them serve 15-20. If you are serving more than 20 guests you should refer to a Buffet package.

Q. How many guests do Brown’s Buffet packages serve?

A. Our Buffet packages serve 25 guests or more and are only available in multiples of five. The numbers of guests that our Buffets serve are virtually endless; we can prepare a Buffet package for 10,000+ guests if necessary.

Q. Can I order Catering online?

A. No, unfortunately at this time we are not setup to take catering orders online. Please feel free to submit a request for more information via the web and one of our Catering Experts would be more than happy to send you a quote or answer any questions that you may have.

Q. What is the minimum number of guests to order a Grilled Picnic or a Pan Tossed Pasta Party?

A. There is a 50 person minimum for these packages. It is helpful to give us four weeks notice if at all possible, but we can typically fulfill your order in less time if necessary.

Q. Is Brown’s affiliated with Portillo’s/The Portillo Restaurant Group?

A. No, the only connection between the two companies is that the owners are Brothers. Brown’s is owned by Frank Portillo and Portillo’s is owned by Dick Portillo.

Q. Does Brown’s offer vegetarian food items?

A. The following items are available in nearly all Brown's restaurants: Mostaccioli (meatless marinara sauce) Spaghetti (meatless marinara sauce) Mac & Cheese - Contains dairy products Butterfly Shrimp - Breading contains dairy products Clam Strips - Breading contains dairy products Cod or Catfish Fillets - Breading contains dairy products Corn on the Cob Mashed Potatoes - Made with dry milk solids; may be purchased without Chicken gravy Cole Slaw - Made with salad dressing not mayonnaise, Contains egg yolks Onion Rings - Cooked in same vegetable shortening as our seafood products Cheezy Potatoes – Contains dairy products Cinnamon Apples – Contains dairy products Broccoli & Cheese – Contains dairy products, can be requested just plain Broccoli Potato Salad- Contains dairy products, egg, & mayonnaise French Fries - Cooked in same vegetable shortening as our seafood products Corn Fritters – Contains eggs, and dairy products Fresh-Baked Biscuit - Contains dairy products Garlic Breadsticks- Garlic Butter contains milk products Please note that other Brown’s restaurants may have additional vegetarian items available. Please check with your local Brown’s for more information.

Q. Why doesn’t your website contain any restaurant menu pricing?

A. Pricing and menu items vary by Store location. To avoid any confusion we have decided to not list prices on our website. Please check with your local store for pricing and menu items.

Q. Do you accept competitor's coupons?

A. Yes, most Brown’s locations will accept competitor's coupons on like-menu items. Restrictions do apply; please check with your local Brown’s on their competitor coupon policy.

Q. How do I learn more about Brown's Franchising?

A. For information on franchises contact Frank Portillo at 708-804-0124 and/or visit our franchise portion of our website.

Q. What type of financial controls (business aids) are available from Brown’s?

A. Brown’s has designed a complete set of forms to facilitate sales accounting, cash control, inventory control, and cost analysis. You can also work with our cost control department and gain weekly insight into your store’s profitability.

Q. What type of ongoing support is given to a Brown’s Chicken & Pasta franchisee?

A. Brown’s provides operational specialists who bring with them technical expertise in all areas of business. We also have a staff of marketing, purchasing and financial specialists to assist you.

Q. What type of training is offered to new franchisees?

A. Brown’s requires that the franchisee complete an extensive eight-week training program that covers all areas of business operations, store maintenance procedures, and marketing/advertising.

Q. How long will it take for a new store to open?

A. For existing locations on which Brown’s Real Estate Department is working, it can be as little as 90 –120 days. For locations that are more distant in development, it may take up to 12 months.

Q. What is the term of the franchise agreement?

A. The initial term is 15 years.

Q. How long has Brown’s Chicken & Pasta been in business?

A. Brown’s has been in the restaurant business for over 50 years. Its first store opened in a suburb of Chicago in 1949.

Q. Can a Brown’s Chicken & Pasta franchise be sold?

A. Yes, a franchisee may sell their store to any qualified approved candidate. There is a $1,000-$5,000 fee to transfer the franchise rights.

Q. How are menu prices established?

A. Each store owner is allowed to set his or her own prices based on the local area. Brown’s provides price and cost figures that owners may use as a guide.

Q. Does Brown’s offer financing?

A. No, Brown’s does not directly finance a franchise, but it does work with them and has numerous contacts to help arrange financing/leasing arrangements.

Q. How much does a Brown’s Chicken & Pasta store cost?

A. The initial franchise fee is $25,000; leasehold improvements are approximately $30,000 – $200,000; and restaurant equipment is approximately $100,000 - $140,000. This is assuming a leased location.

Q. Where will my restaurant be located?

A. Brown’s Real Estate Department is in touch with developers whose projects are both existing and in the early planning stage. You can also bring a potential location to Brown’s Real Estate Department for their approval. From time to time, Brown’s also has existing restaurant locations available.

Q. Will I have to move (relocate) to buy a Brown’s Chicken & Pasta franchise?

A. To best serve the store’s community, Brown’s wants its franchisee owners to become part of that community and encourages them to live in the immediate area.

Q. What type of person is Brown’s looking for in a franchisee?

A. We are looking for owner/operators who will be involved in both the day to day operations of their store and the community it serves.

*All menu food items not available at all store locations - Please phone ahead to confirm availability.