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Ford's Garage health license on record for Madison's Mineral Point Road restaurant

Ford's Garage health license on record for Madison's Mineral Point Road restaurant

Money Moves Madison, WI local

A restaurant license is on file for the car-themed chain's first Madison location, with a spring 2027 opening target

5 days ago: Ford's Garage license appears on Public Health records

Overview

Updated 4 days ago

Ford's Garage now appears on Public Health Madison & Dane County's restaurant license list for 7345 Mineral Point Road, the former Bonefish Grill space on the West Side. A license on record is one approval, not proof that the business has every permit it needs or that it has opened.

The chain announced in March 2026 that it would enter Wisconsin through a three-restaurant deal with Six Stars Hospitality, a group of Wisconsin entrepreneurs. It has applied for remodeling permits at the former Bonefish Grill site and plans to open in spring 2027.

Why it matters

If Ford's Garage opens as planned in spring 2027, Madison's West Side gains a new full-service restaurant where Bonefish Grill closed in late 2025.

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Key Indicators

34
Ford's Garage locations nationwide
Chain locations across eight states, as reported in October 2026.
3
Wisconsin locations in development deal
Milwaukee and Madison areas, led by franchisee Six Stars Hospitality.
1
Madison license record on file
Public Health Madison & Dane County lists a food license for the Mineral Point Road address.

Voices

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People Involved

Billy Downs
Billy Downs
President of Ford's Garage
Leading the brand's national franchise expansion
 Joann Pritchett
Joann Pritchett
Madison City Council alder, District 9 (West Side)
Representing the district where the restaurant is planned

Organizations Involved

Ford's Garage
Ford's Garage
Restaurant Franchise
Expanding into Wisconsin with three planned locations

1920s-garage-themed burger and craft beer restaurant chain and the only official licensee of Ford Motor Company branding.
SS
Six Stars Hospitality
Franchise Investment Group
Wisconsin franchisee for Ford's Garage

Local investment group that signed a development deal to bring three Ford's Garage locations to the Milwaukee and Madison areas.
Public Health Madison & Dane County
Public Health Madison & Dane County
Government Agency
Lists a food license for Ford's Garage at 7345 Mineral Point Road

The local public health authority that licenses and inspects restaurants in Madison and Dane County.

Timeline

2025 October 2026

5 events Latest: 5 days ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Ford's Garage license appears on Public Health records

    Latest Licensing

    Public Health Madison & Dane County's inspection list shows a food license record for Ford's Garage at 7345 Mineral Point Road. The list gives no date for when the record was created.

  2. Building permits applied for; opening planned for spring

    Permit

    West Side Alder Joann Pritchett noted plans to open next spring. The city confirmed a remodel permit application was filed.

  3. Ford's Garage names marketing chief, promotes development chief

    Leadership

    The chain named Kathleen Bush chief marketing officer and promoted David Ragosa to chief development officer as it prepared to open restaurants in Wisconsin and other states.

  4. Ford's Garage announces Wisconsin entry

    Announcement

    The chain signed a three-restaurant development deal with Six Stars Hospitality for the Milwaukee and Madison areas.

  5. Bonefish Grill closes after 11 years

    Closure

    Bonefish Grill shut down abruptly at 7345 Mineral Point Road as part of a corporate downsizing by parent Bloomin' Brands.

Scenarios

1

Ford's Garage opens on Mineral Point Road in spring 2027

Likely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Wisconsin State Journal and Alder Joann Pritchett's September 2026 blog post

The remodel of the former Bonefish Grill space is completed on schedule. Ford's Garage opens for service as planned in spring 2027, becoming the chain's first Wisconsin restaurant and kicking off the three-location rollout.

2

Opening slips past spring 2027

Possible Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Construction timelines and permitting schedules often slip in restaurant development

The remodel takes longer than expected or permitting delays push back the opening. Ford's Garage eventually opens at the location but later than the planned spring 2027 target.

3

The Madison location falls through

Unlikely Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: Franchise development deals occasionally collapse before opening

The franchise agreement unravels or the operator abandons the project before the remodel is complete. The health license remains unused, and the former Bonefish Grill space stays vacant or is marketed to another tenant.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

June 1971

Hard Rock Cafe (1971)

Two Americans opened a burger and rock memorabilia cafe in London that grew into a global chain. The brand spread to dozens of countries over five decades.

Then

The themed cafe became a destination for both food and its collection of rock memorabilia.

Now

Showed that a distinctive theme could sustain a restaurant for decades, not just a few years.

Why this matters now

Ford's Garage is betting its 1920s service-station theme and Ford branding will do the same in the casual dining market.

October 1991

Planet Hollywood (1991)

A celebrity-backed restaurant chain launched with movie memorabilia and star investors like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis. It expanded rapidly to dozens of locations in the mid-1990s.

Then

The chain over-expanded and filed for bankruptcy in 1999, closing many locations.

Now

Became a cautionary example of themed restaurant concepts peaking quickly when novelty fades.

Why this matters now

Ford's Garage's expansion pace is more measured, but the same question applies: how long does a theme stay novel enough to draw diners?

Sources

(7)
+1
Public Health Madison & Dane County Wisconsin State Journal International Franchise Association Ford's Garage FSR Magazine Franchising.com Business Observer