Franchising

Taffer's Tavern opening 1st Boston area location

Photo: iStock

September 9, 2021

Taffer's Tavern, a full-service tavern concept founded and developed by hospitality expert and "Bar Rescue" host Jon Taffer, will open its first Boston area restaurant in Arsenal Yards, the neighborhood along the Charles River in Watertown, Massachusetts, according to a company press release.

The location is slated to open in early 2022.

"We are very excited to welcome Taffer's Tavern to our unique lineup of restaurant, retail and entertainment offerings here at Arsenal Yards," Gary Robinson, VP, Leasing at Wilder, developer of Arsenal Yards, said in the release. "It is one of many new additions to the Arsenal Yards neighborhood, and we know our local community will love Jon Taffer's vision for bringing a top quality experience to casual dining. This opening will help us further our goal of creating one-of-a-kind experiences for our residents, visitors and guests."

This marks the first of several Taffer's Tavern restaurants operated by franchise operators and Boston area natives Marc Magerman and Peter Weber of 8G Hospitality Associates, LLC. Both wanted the ideal location to bring the Taffer brand to the market and match the innovative nature of the restaurant.

"We had our sights set on Arsenal Yards from the beginning," Magerman said in the release. "We were attracted to the unique history and metamorphosis of Watertown; it is such a desirable area for young professionals and families. Now, Taffer's Tavern will become an essential part of the fabric of this vibrant community, front and center on Arsenal Street welcoming people to the neighborhood."

Taffer's Tavern leads onto Bond Square, the development's latest outdoor pedestrian space, which will include restaurant patios, shops and entertainment venues.

The restaurant concept features high safety standards and integrates advancements in food prep/service technology.

"I designed Taffer's Tavern with inspiration from the quintessential neighborhood pub, it combines the best in tavern ambiance with the latest in restaurant technology," Taffer said in the release. "With Boston's rich history and appreciation for taverns, I know visitors and locals alike will feel right at home in our latest location at Arsenal Yards."

To facilitate the brand's growth, Taffer has partnered with Fransmart, a franchise development company behind the growth of brands like Five Guys Burgers and Fries and Qdoba Mexican Grill.

"Taffer's Tavern is truly the ideal concept for franchisees looking to be on the ground floor of a rapidly growing brand," Dan Rowe, CEO of Fransmart, said in the release. "The industry-leading technology allows minimal need for food preparation and handling, drastically reducing back-of-house labor. It's also a hoodless and ventless concept, which opens up real estate and conversion options tremendously."

Having recently opened in Alpharetta, Georgia, Taffer's Tavern has additional locations slated to open in Washington D.C., Las Vegas and more. Taffer's Tavern has also signed a multi-unit franchise agreement to bring 10 locations to northern and central Florida, with an initial focus on the Orlando metro area, Gainesville, Jacksonville and Panhandle regions.