The series was announced in October 2014 as a partnership between Netflix, Gaumont International Television, and Wild West Television, and is described as a 'family comedy' based on Bill Burr's own stand-up material.

The show is set in the 1970s specifically because it was 'a time when you could smack your kid, smoke inside, and bring a gun to the airport,' as noted in its production description.

Co-creator Michael Price previously wrote for The Simpsons, for which he won an Emmy and a Writers Guild Award.

The series is directed by Ben Marsaud, who previously worked as a storyboard artist on The Amazing World of Gumball and directed Counterfeit Cat.

Bill Burr, who has frequently toured Pittsburgh as a stand-up comedian and shares a dislike of the Philadelphia Flyers with local sportscaster Mark Madden, wrote numerous Pittsburgh references into the show, including the fictional airline 'Alaquippa Airlines' named after the real Pittsburgh suburb of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania.

Michael K. Williams voiced the recurring character Smokey Greenwood from season 2 through season 5; season 5, episode 6 was dedicated to his memory.

In a July 2025 episode of his Monday Morning Podcast, Bill Burr mentioned he had been reviewing scripts for F Is for Family, suggesting possible development work on a sixth season.

On Metacritic the series holds a score of 75 out of 100 based on 14 reviews, and its first season holds an 85% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes while season two rose to 89%.