At The Honey Baked Ham Co.®, long-term growth is often rooted in a strong foundation. Few stories reflect this better than that of Matt Davis, owner of The Davis Restaurant Group and HoneyBaked’s largest multi-unit franchisee. With a newly signed 8-unit development agreement, Matt is continuing to expand his presence with the legacy brand across multiple states and continuing the family legacy his father began decades ago.
Decades of Dedication to the HoneyBaked Brand
Matt’s connection to HoneyBaked began in 1998 when his father became one of the brand’s first franchisees. After gaining industry experience and earning his college degree, Matt joined the family business full time in 2007. By 2013, Matt was spearheading expansion efforts, growing the family’s footprint to a 17-store enterprise across six states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Minnesota.
With the new 8-unit deal, Matt will add locations across four states in the coming years —solidifying his position as a leader within the HoneyBaked franchise system.
Why HoneyBaked Continues to Win with Multi-Unit Franchisees
For Matt and his family, it comes down to a powerful combination: brand trust, lifestyle balance and multiple revenue streams to meet guests where they want to be met. “It’s been a scalable business, and I’ve loved working in it,” Matt says. “Honey Baked Ham offers a quality of life that’s hard to match in foodservice.”
Honey Baked Ham single and multi-unit franchisees enjoy diversified revenue streams from lunch service, catering, retail and holiday gifting, ensuring steady year-round business, not just seasonal spikes.
Creating Loyalty Through Consistency
Another factor Matt credits for his success is the customer loyalty built by his team on the store level at each of his locations. “Some of our managers have been with us for over 25 years,” he explains. “Customers know they’ll see a familiar face and receive the same quality every visit. That connection builds loyalty in the community, keeping them coming back time and time again.”
Family-First Franchise Ownership
Matt’s brother Steven plays a central role in managing day-to-day operations, and now, the next generation of the Davis family is eager to join the legacy brand. For Matt, HoneyBaked is more than a franchise business– it’s a vehicle for generational success. “We’re building something lasting that we’re proud to pass down,” he says.
A Model for Growth-Oriented Franchisees
Matt Davis is a perfect example of how entrepreneurs can leverage HoneyBaked’s proven franchise model and multiple revenue streams to scale their business. For franchisees seeking national recognition, exceptional operational support, and growth potential, HoneyBaked Ham is an opportunity that continues to deliver.
Interested in starting your own growth story and bring Honey Baked Ham to your community? Let’s talk about how you can join one of America’s most beloved brands.
