Firebirds Wood Fired Grill

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is a polished-casual restaurant group specializing in classic American steakhouse dishes and wood-fired specialties. The company began in 2000 with a single restaurant in Charlotte, North Carolina. Over the past 25 years, Firebirds has grown steadily and, as of November 2025, operates 56 company-owned locations across the United States. The brand is recognized for its open-concept kitchens, where a wood-fired grill is the focal point, giving guests a view of steaks and seafood prepared over live flame.

A significant milestone in Firebirds’ history came in 2019, when J.H. Whitney Capital Partners acquired the company. Since then, Firebirds has accelerated its expansion, focusing on high-growth suburban and mixed-use markets, particularly in the Southeast, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Texas, and Florida. The company’s approach centers on opening restaurants in prominent retail centers and lifestyle developments, often in freestanding or endcap spaces that benefit from strong retail traffic and complementary neighboring tenants.

In the last five years, Firebirds has maintained a consistent pace of new openings, with several additional locations announced for 2025 and beyond. The company’s decision to keep all locations company-owned, rather than franchised, has allowed it to maintain high standards for quality and service as it scales. Firebirds’ established reputation, steady growth, and commitment to prime retail environments make it a reliable and attractive presence in both established and emerging markets.