# Firebirds Wood Fired Grill

> Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is a privately held American polished-casual restaurant chain built around an exposed wood-fired grill, a scratch kitchen, hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood and its FIREBAR beverage program. Founded in Charlotte in 2000, the company serves suburban diners who want a more considered night out than conventional casual dining without the ritual or price of a traditional fine-dining steakhouse. Its revenue comes primarily from company-operated restaurants, with additional sales from takeout, delivery, catering, private dining, gift cards and a paid Inner Circle+ membership.

- **Founded:** 2000
- **Headquarters:** Charlotte, United States
- **Founders:** Dennis Thompson (Co-founder), Doug Glendenning (Co-founder)
- **Team size:** Approximately 2,000 employees; LinkedIn lists 1,001-5,000.
- **Products:** Dine-in restaurants, FIREBAR, Firebirds ToGo, Catering and private dining, Inner Circle
- **Notable:** Opened its 71st restaurant in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 2026., Generated an estimated $375 million in 2024 U.S. systemwide sales across 64 units, according to Technomic., Raised more than $5 million for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.

## Products & services

- **Dine-in restaurants** — Polished-casual lunch, dinner and weekend brunch centered on scratch cooking, hand-cut aged steaks, fresh seafood and vegetables prepared over an exposed wood-fired grill.
- **FIREBAR** — An in-restaurant bar offering seasonal cocktails, wine, craft beer, bourbon, happy hour and shareable Bar Bites.
- **Firebirds ToGo** — First-party online ordering for pickup, curbside service and delivery, with delivery fulfillment supported by DoorDash.
- **Catering and private dining** — Group meals, off-site catering and private dining rooms for business gatherings, celebrations and events.
- **Inner Circle** — A free email loyalty club with promotional offers, menu news, a welcome discount and birthday offer.
- **Inner Circle+** — A $19.95 monthly membership with a $30 dine-in credit, free delivery on qualifying first-party orders and access to a VIP reservation experience.
- **Jr. Chefs Club** — A family engagement program for children 12 and under with recipes, culinary activities, apparel, kitchen tools and birthday recognition.
- **Gift cards** — Physical and digital gift cards redeemable across Firebirds locations, including corporate purchasing options.

## Achievements

- Opened its 71st restaurant in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 2026.
- Generated an estimated $375 million in 2024 U.S. systemwide sales across 64 units, according to Technomic.
- Raised more than $5 million for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.
- Named one of Nation's Restaurant News' 10 Breakout Brands.
- Recognized as an OpenTable Diners' Choice winner.
- Reported positive same-store sales growth in 10 of 12 years through early 2023, excluding 2020, in Garnett Station Partners materials.
- Corporate Executive Chef Andrew Seiple was selected as a 2026 Kitchen Collaborative winner by Flavor & The Menu.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — Firebirds appointed Florence Ho chief marketing officer, effective July 7, bringing more than 25 years of hospitality, lifestyle and consumer-brand marketing experience.
- **2026-07** — The company opened its 71st location in Lincoln, Nebraska.
- **2026-06** — Firebirds promoted a Lemonade Days campaign across all restaurants as its lifetime support for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation passed $5 million.
- **2026-05** — Restaurant-industry veteran Jeff Uttz became chief financial officer, supporting the chain's expansion plans.
- **2026-03** — Firebirds launched a reimagined Jr. Chefs Club following a pilot, adding recipes, visit-based rewards and kitchen tools for children 12 and under.
- **2026-06** — The company opened its 70th restaurant in Lexington, Kentucky, after ending 2025 with 69 units.

## Links

- Website: https://www.firebirdsrestaurants.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/firebirds-restaurants
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/firebirdsgrill
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirebirdsGrill
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firebirdsgrill/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firebirdsgrill/

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Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-12