About Mess Hall Franchise
Mess Hall is a retail concept built around an interactive, customizable merchandise experience centered on trucker hats and accessories, sold in a nostalgic, camp-themed cafeteria atmosphere.
Franchisees operate a single retail store where customers design their own hats by choosing from a wide variety of hat styles, region-themed patches, letters, pins, buttons, and other accessories.
Franchisees may also qualify to offer and sell the same customizable products at small, private off-site events (such as weddings and birthday or holiday parties) of up to 150 attendees within an approved Event Territory.
Mess Hall Franchise Cost & Fees
Minimum Investment
$162K
Average Investment
$208K
Maximum Investment
$253K
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $60,000 | One-time payment upon signing |
| Royalty Fee | 7% of Gross Revenue of gross sales | Ongoing; paid monthly |
| Marketing/Ad Fund | Brand Fund Contribution of 1% of Gross Revenue (subject to increase up to 2%); plus a required minimum local advertising expenditure of at least 2% of Gross Revenue monthly and $20,000 grand opening marketing expenditure | National brand fund |
| Total Investment Range | $162,033 – $253,490 | Includes build-out, inventory, working capital |
The investment range of $162K–$253K reflects variability in build-out costs, store size, lease terms, and market. The combined royalty (7% of Gross Revenue) and marketing fee (Brand Fund Contribution of 1% of Gross Revenue (subject to increase up to 2%); plus a required minimum local advertising expenditure of at least 2% of Gross Revenue monthly and $20,000 grand opening marketing expenditure) are ongoing costs paid as a percentage of gross sales.
Investment Breakdown (Item 7)
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $60,000 | $60,000 |
| Initial Training Fee | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Marketing Support Fee | $2,500 | $2,500 |
| Training Expenses | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Premises Deposits | $2,400 | $9,060 |
| Rent (3 months) | $7,200 | $27,180 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $6,000 | $20,000 |
| Signage | $1,500 | $3,500 |
| Furniture & Fixtures | $9,000 | $20,000 |
| Equipment | $5,000 | $7,000 |
| Computer Systems | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| Office Supplies | $500 | $2,000 |
| Initial Inventory | $25,000 | $45,000 |
| Grand Opening Marketing | $20,000 | $20,000 |
| Professional Fees | $100 | $2,000 |
| Licenses and Permits | $500 | $750 |
| Insurance | $333 | $1,000 |
| Additional Funds - 3 months | $15,000 | $25,000 |
| TOTAL | $162,033 | $253,490 |
Additional Fees (Item 6)
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transfer Fee | $2,500 (Franchise Agreement); $5,000 (Multi-Unit Development Agreement) |
| Renewal Fee | Successor Term Fee, currently $1,000 (Franchise Agreement provides for a successor fee equal to 10% of the then-current initial franchise fee) |
| Technology Fee | $650 per month |
| Audit Fee | Cost of examination plus related expenses; if Gross Revenue understated by 2% or more, franchisee also pays audit costs and interest |
| Late Charge | $150 per occurrence |
| Interest Charge | 18% per annum or maximum permitted by law |
| Non-Sufficient Funds Fee | $50 per occurrence |
| Relocation Fee | $2,000 (current) |
| Grand Opening Marketing Expenditure | $20,000 ($15,000 per additional location under MUDA) |
| Required Minimum Local Advertising | At least 2% of Gross Revenue monthly |
| Remedial/Optional Training Fee | $500 per day plus expenses |
| Franchisee Convention/Business Meeting Fee | Up to $1,500 per person |
| Interim Management Support Fee | 20% of Gross Revenue plus costs |
| Operations Manual Replacement | $500 |
| Operational Standards Violation Fee | $450-$1,000 per occurrence |
| Evaluation Fee for Unapproved Item/Supplier | Actual cost of inspection/testing |
| Insurance Reimbursement | Amount paid plus 10% administrative fee |
| Liquidated Damages - Default/Termination | Up to 24 months of Royalty Fees and Brand Fund Contributions |
| Liquidated Damages - Confidentiality/Non-Compete Breach | $100,000 plus attorneys' fees |
Training Program (Item 11)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Duration | Initial Training Program conducted after lease signing and at least 5 weeks prior to opening; includes 12 hours of virtual pre-training plus approximately 56 hours of onsite classroom and on-the-job training, followed by ongoing weekly 1-hour remote training sessions |
| Classroom Training | 29 hours (plus 12 hours of virtual pre-training modules) |
| On-the-Job Training | 27 hours |
| Training Location | Savannah, Georgia (franchisor headquarters and/or an affiliate-owned outlet); virtual pre-training conducted remotely |
| Additional Training | Mandatory or optional additional training up to 5 days per year and attendance at a national business meeting or annual convention up to 5 days per year, at franchisor-designated locations; remedial training available at franchisee's request or franchisor's discretion. |
Territory Rights (Item 12)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Territory Type | Non-exclusive site search area with a protected Store Protected Area around the approved Location, plus a separate conditionally-protected Event Territory subject to performance standards |
| Exclusive Territory | No |
| Territory Size | Store Protected Area: typically a 1-5 mile radius accounting for up to 450,000 persons; Event Territory: typically contiguous zip codes covering up to 450,000 persons |
| Description | Franchisee receives a protected Store Protected Area around its approved store Location and a separately defined Event Territory for small private events. Franchisor and affiliates retain rights to sell through alternative distribution channels, at public/larger events, and via non-traditional venues within the territory. The Event Territory's protections are conditioned on meeting annual Performance Standards ($50,000 Year 1, $75,000 Year 2, $100,000 Year 3+ in Event Revenue), failing which the territory or its protections may be reduced or removed. Multi-Unit Development Agreement holders receive an exclusive development territory during the development term. |
Renewal, Termination & Transfer (Item 17)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Initial Term | 5 years |
| Renewal Term | 1 additional 5-year term |
| Renewal Fee | Successor agreement fee equal to 10% of the then-current initial franchise fee (currently $1,000 per the Item 6 fee table) |
| Renewal Conditions | Franchisee must give written notice at least 6 months before term end, be in full compliance, have no more than 3 defaults during the term, complete required additional training, retain rights to the premises (or relocate with approval), remodel/upgrade to current standards, sign a general release, and execute the then-current form of franchise agreement, which may have materially different terms. |
| Transfer Fee | $2,500 (Franchise Agreement); $5,000 (Multi-Unit Development Agreement); reduced/waived in certain intra-entity transfers within first 3 months |
| Transfer Conditions | Requires franchisor's prior written consent (not unreasonably withheld); transferee must meet franchisor's standards, complete training, sign then-current franchise agreement, and execute a general release; franchisor retains a right of first refusal to purchase on the same terms. |
| Termination for Cause | Franchisor may terminate for numerous defaults, some curable within 5 days' notice (e.g., non-payment, non-monetary defaults) and some non-curable/automatic (e.g., insolvency, bankruptcy, unsatisfied judgments, failure to open timely, understating revenue twice, felony conviction, health/safety threats, unauthorized use of marks or confidential information, repeated defaults). |
| Non-Compete Period | 24 months |
| Non-Compete Details | During the term and for 24 months after termination/expiration, franchisee and principals may not divert customers or participate in any customized merchandise, hat, accessories, or apparel business; post-term restriction applies within 10 miles of the former Location, Event Territory, or any other Mess Hall outlet or territory. |
Operations & Supply (Items 8 & 15)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Owner-Operator Required | No |
| Participation Details | Franchisee is not required to personally supervise or devote full time to the business and may appoint a non-owner General Manager, who must complete the Initial Training Program and all required training, devote full time to the job, and have no interest in a competing business. If the franchisee is married, the franchisee's spouse must sign a Spouse Guaranty. |
| Required Suppliers | Wholesale Patches of Georgia, LLC (an affiliate of the franchisor) is the sole approved supplier of hats, accessories, pins, buttons, ropes, and other hat-making supplies/inventory. |
| Supply Restrictions | Franchisees must purchase all equipment, furniture, fixtures, ingredients, supplies, and services from designated suppliers/contractors or in accordance with franchisor specifications; non-standard products/services require prior written approval. Approved suppliers are estimated to represent approximately 50-60% of initial investment costs and 50-75% of ongoing operating costs. |
| Franchisor Revenue from Suppliers | None disclosed for the most recent fiscal year (ending December 31, 2025) - neither the franchisor nor its affiliates received any revenue from franchisees' required purchases or leases. |
Mess Hall Franchise Earnings — Item 19
Average Revenue
$524K
Revenue Range
$507K – $542K
Sample Size
2 units
Past financial performance does not guarantee future results. Individual results will vary.
Mess Hall Litigation & Risk Flags
Clean Litigation RecordMess Hall has no pending litigation actions listed in their FDD. There is also no bankruptcy history disclosed.
Litigation and bankruptcy data is sourced from Items 3 and 4 of the FDD. Always verify current status directly from the most recent FDD.
Mess Hall System Growth
Total Units
3
Franchised
0
Company-Owned
3
Mess Hall currently operates 0 franchised locations and 3 company-owned units. Unit count data is sourced from Item 20 of the FDD.
Unit History (Item 20)
| Year | Opened | Closed | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
Transfers: 0 | Closures: 0
Franchisor Financials (Item 21)
Total Assets
$5K
Audited by Metwally CPA PLLC for year ending December 31.
Mess Hall Franchise — FAQ
The total investment to open a Mess Hall franchise ranges from $162,033 to $253,490, per their Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the initial franchise fee of $60,000. The investment covers build-out, inventory, equipment, signage, working capital, and other startup costs.
Mess Hall charges a royalty fee of 7% of Gross Revenue of gross sales, plus a Brand Fund Contribution of 1% of Gross Revenue (subject to increase up to 2%); plus a required minimum local advertising expenditure of at least 2% of Gross Revenue monthly and $20,000 grand opening marketing expenditure contribution to the marketing/advertising fund. These fees are paid on an ongoing basis.
You can download the Mess Hall Franchise Disclosure Document free on this page. The FDD is a public document filed with state franchise registries. Always also request the current FDD directly from Mess Hall to ensure you have the most up-to-date version.
According to the Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD, Mess Hall franchise owners report average revenue of $524K. This is based on a sample of 2 units. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Mess Hall has been franchising since 2025. The FDD shows an investment range of $162,033-$253,490, a 7% of Gross Revenue royalty, and includes an Item 19 earnings disclosure. There is no pending litigation. Review the full FDD and contact current franchisees listed in Item 20 before making any investment decision.
The franchise fee is $60,000 and the total investment ranges from $162,033 to $253,490 depending on location size and market. Contact the franchisor directly for current net worth and liquid capital requirements, territory availability, and application details.
Similar Retail Franchises
Interested in Mess Hall?
Get free info on this franchise. We will send you a detailed FDD report by email.
Data Source & Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only. It is not an offer to sell or buy a franchise. This profile is based on publicly available FDD data sourced from state franchise registry filings. All information is for research purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. Data may be outdated or contain errors. Always obtain the current FDD directly from Mess Hall and consult a qualified franchise attorney before making any investment decision. FranchiseOverview.com is operated by Franchising Compliance, LLC and is not affiliated with Mess Hall or any of its subsidiaries. To report an inaccuracy: info@franchiseoverview.com