Largest Honey Baked Ham Franchisee Commits to 8 New Units

Matt Davis’s Davis Restaurant Group, the largest franchise operator of Honey Baked Ham, is moving ahead with an ambitious expansion, committing to open eight new stores between 2026 and 2028. The upcoming locations include Mint Hill and Waxhaw in North Carolina, Chesapeake in Virginia, Des Moines in Iowa, and Bel Air in Maryland, signaling a steady push into key regional markets.

Davis, who founded the franchise group in 2013, continues a family tradition that began when his father became Honey Baked Ham’s first franchisee in 1998. Today, the group operates 22 stores across six states. “Honey Baked has been deeply woven into my family’s story for more than three decades,” Davis said. “This new agreement reflects our confidence in the brand and the strong support system behind it.”

The rollout follows a structured timeline. New stores in Bel Air, Chesapeake, and Des Moines are expected to open in September 2026. Additional locations in Mint Hill, Chesapeake, and Des Moines are slated for 2027, with Waxhaw, North Carolina, joining the group in 2028.

Jerry DeFeo, Vice President of Franchise Operations at The Honey Baked Ham Co., praised Davis and his team for their track record of operational excellence. “Matt and his team have consistently demonstrated what it means to be outstanding franchise partners,” DeFeo said. “Their leadership and consistency have played a major role in strengthening our presence.”

Honey Baked Ham, founded in 1957, has grown into a nationwide brand with more than 400 locations. The Davis Restaurant Group has become a cornerstone of that expansion, blending local execution with national support.

The multi-year development schedule will allow Davis and his team to carefully build on their foundation of customer loyalty and community ties. The expansion is not only a growth story for the brand but also a reminder of how deeply Honey Baked Ham has embedded itself into family traditions across America.

As new locations open over the next three years, Honey Baked Ham customers can expect the same blend of quality and service that has defined the franchise for decades. For Davis, the expansion is a continuation of a family legacy. For the brand, it is proof that its best years are still ahead.

Matt Davis’s Davis Restaurant Group, the largest franchise operator of Honey Baked Ham, is moving ahead with an ambitious expansion, committing to open eight new stores between 2026 and 2028. The upcoming locations include Mint Hill and Waxhaw in North Carolina, Chesapeake in Virginia, Des Moines in Iowa, and Bel Air in Maryland, signaling a steady push into key regional markets.

Davis, who founded the franchise group in 2013, continues a family tradition that began when his father became Honey Baked Ham’s first franchisee in 1998. Today, the group operates 22 stores across six states. “Honey Baked has been deeply woven into my family’s story for more than three decades,” Davis said. “This new agreement reflects our confidence in the brand and the strong support system behind it.”

The rollout follows a structured timeline. New stores in Bel Air, Chesapeake, and Des Moines are expected to open in September 2026. Additional locations in Mint Hill, Chesapeake, and Des Moines are slated for 2027, with Waxhaw, North Carolina, joining the group in 2028.

Jerry DeFeo, Vice President of Franchise Operations at The Honey Baked Ham Co., praised Davis and his team for their track record of operational excellence. “Matt and his team have consistently demonstrated what it means to be outstanding franchise partners,” DeFeo said. “Their leadership and consistency have played a major role in strengthening our presence.”

Honey Baked Ham, founded in 1957, has grown into a nationwide brand with more than 400 locations. The Davis Restaurant Group has become a cornerstone of that expansion, blending local execution with national support.

The multi-year development schedule will allow Davis and his team to carefully build on their foundation of customer loyalty and community ties. The expansion is not only a growth story for the brand but also a reminder of how deeply Honey Baked Ham has embedded itself into family traditions across America.

As new locations open over the next three years, Honey Baked Ham customers can expect the same blend of quality and service that has defined the franchise for decades. For Davis, the expansion is a continuation of a family legacy. For the brand, it is proof that its best years are still ahead.