The Local Drive Franchise

Joe Lynch and Winston Manley developed The Local Drive after meeting in Houston and later relocating to Colorado. In a founder interview published on the company website in April 2022, Lynch described bringing hotel-industry experience to the project and working with Manley on the business plan, financing and search for a Denver location.

The first venue opened in Denver’s RiNo Arts District in 2022. It paired indoor Trackman golf simulators with a cocktail bar, presenting golf in a bright, social setting. The founders emphasized local producers and a welcoming atmosphere for people who wanted to play, practice or simply enjoy the bar.

In September 2024, The Local Drive announced its franchise launch. The company described a format with flexible floor plans, online booking and drinks reflecting each location’s community. That announcement marked the move from the founders’ Colorado venues toward a wider franchise model; its expansion plans were ambitions, rather than a count of completed openings.

In a December 2024 company-authored franchise feature, The Local Drive described assistance with real-estate selection, liquor licensing and developing local partnerships. Its own franchise-launch announcement also identified flexible venue layouts and online booking software as parts of the operating model.

The available public materials do not detail the owner-training curriculum, required participants, training location or schedule, or the continuing support program. Those specifics need to be established with the franchise team during the review process. Golf lessons offered to guests are separate from training for franchise owners and their employees.

The Local Drive’s appeal is the combination of a golf activity and a social venue. Guests can spend time in a simulator bay while others in their group enjoy the bar, making the concept relevant to mixed groups as well as dedicated golfers. Indoor play also gives the venue an activity that does not depend on outdoor playing conditions.

The emphasis on local drinks and community relationships gives an owner a practical way to shape the venue’s identity within the brand. It may suit a buyer who is drawn to hospitality, group bookings and a welcoming customer experience, and who wants to build relationships with nearby producers and organizations.

For more detail on the business model, read The Local Drive Franchise: Indoor Golf, Cocktails and the Hospitality Model.