About The Brass Tap Franchise
The Brass Tap is a craft beer bar and restaurant franchise known for its extensive rotating selection of craft beers on tap, premium wines, and handcrafted cocktails, paired with an elevated pub food menu.
The brand has been franchising since 2012 and operates under the CapitalSpring umbrella.
Each location creates a neighborhood gathering place where craft beer enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike can explore new flavors in a vibrant atmosphere.
The Brass Tap Franchise Cost & Fees
Minimum Investment
$785K
Average Investment
$1.1M
Maximum Investment
$1.3M
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $25,000 | One-time payment upon signing |
| Royalty Fee | 4% of previous week’s Adjusted Gross Sales of gross sales | Ongoing; paid monthly |
| Marketing/Ad Fund | 1.5% of your previous week’s Adjusted Gross Sales (may increase to 2.5%) | National brand fund |
| Total Investment Range | $785,425 – $1,318,025 | Includes build-out, inventory, working capital |
The investment range of $785K–$1.3M reflects variability in build-out costs, store size, lease terms, and market. The combined royalty (4% of previous week’s Adjusted Gross Sales) and marketing fee (1.5% of your previous week’s Adjusted Gross Sales (may increase to 2.5%)) are ongoing costs paid as a percentage of gross sales.
Investment Breakdown (Item 7)
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Training Fee | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $448,000 | $720,000 |
| Lease Deposit | $17,500 | $40,500 |
| Equipment | $140,000 | $210,000 |
| Furnishings and Fixtures | $20,000 | $45,000 |
| Audio and Video Equipment | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| Signage | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Initial Inventory | $20,000 | $30,000 |
| Architect Fees and Permits | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| Computer System | $10,000 | $14,600 |
| Computer Support – 3 Months | $1,425 | $1,425 |
| Travel, lodging and meals for Initial Training | $2,500 | $8,000 |
| Licenses and Permits | $1,500 | $7,500 |
| Insurance | $4,000 | $18,000 |
| Promotional and Advertising – 5 months | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Professional Fees | $3,000 | $8,000 |
| Liquor License | $10,000 | $50,000 |
| Additional Funds – 3 Months | $20,000 | $40,000 |
Additional Fees (Item 6)
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transfer Fee | $20,000 |
| Renewal Fee | $20,000 |
| Technology Fee | $200 per month |
| Audit Fee | Deficiency and late charges plus audit costs under certain circumstances |
| TIPS Certification Training | $150 per person, or the then-current fee |
| Website Fee | $100. Monthly. |
| Optional Additional On-Site Training | Our then-current daily wage per trainer, plus expenses (currently $150 per trainer, per day). |
| Interest | 18% or the highest contract rate permitted by law, whichever is less. |
| Late Fees | 10% of the amount due |
| Prohibited Product or Service Fine | $250 per day of use of unauthorized products or services. |
| Costs and Attorneys’ Fees | Will vary under circumstances. |
| Interim Operating Expenses | $1,200 per week, plus reasonable expenses, including travel, lodging and meals. |
| Area Development Agreement – Extension Fee | Balance of the Franchise Fees for the number of undeveloped Brass Tap Bars. |
| Inspection and Testing | $250. |
| Early Termination Fee | An amount equal to the greater of (a) $100,000 or (b) the aggregated Royalties and Marketing Contributions paid by your Brass Tap Bar for the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the effective date of termination multiplied by three (3). |
Training Program (Item 11)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Duration | 4-week Initial Training |
| Classroom Training | 96 |
| On-the-Job Training | 196 |
| Training Location | Corporate headquarters and certified training locations near Tampa, Florida |
| Additional Training | Any subsequently designated Operating Manager must complete either the Initial Training or a minimum 4-day Headquarters Training at the franchisor's headquarters. Franchisees must pay the then-current fee for additional training and all associated expenses for trainees. |
Territory Rights (Item 12)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Territory Type | Protected |
| Exclusive Territory | Yes |
| Territory Size | area within a 3-mile radius from your Site |
| Description | Franchisees receive a protected geographic territory (the “Protected Territory”) in which they will operate one Brass Tap Bar. The Protected Territory consists of the area within a 3-mile radius from the approved Site. Relocation of the Brass Tap Bar requires prior written approval from the franchisor. |
Renewal, Termination & Transfer (Item 17)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Initial Term | 10 years from Effective Date |
| Renewal Term | up to 2 successor franchises each with 5-year terms |
| Renewal Fee | $20,000 |
| Renewal Conditions | To renew, franchisees must be in good standing, not in default, maintain possession of the site (or secure an approved substitute), agree to expend at least $100,000 to re-image, remodel, and/or expand the Brass Tap Bar to current specifications, and sign a new successor franchise agreement with potentially different terms. |
| Transfer Fee | $20,000 |
| Transfer Conditions | Transfer requires the new franchisee to qualify, pay all amounts due to the franchisor, complete training, enter a new franchise agreement, pay the transfer fee, and agree to subordinate any financing from the transferring owner to the franchisor's obligations. The franchisor must approve material terms of the transfer. |
| Termination for Cause | The franchisor can terminate the agreement for various violations, including material misrepresentation, unauthorized transfer, conviction of a felony, unauthorized use of marks, failure to pay amounts due, failure to perform lease obligations, failure to commence construction, dishonest conduct, or repeated defaults. A default or breach under the Franchise Agreement is also considered a default under any Area Development Agreement (and vice versa). |
| Non-Compete Period | 2 years |
| Non-Compete Details | After termination or expiration, franchisees and their owners are prohibited from having an interest in a competing business for 2 years within 15 miles of the former site, the Protected Territory, or any other Brass Tap Bar in operation or under construction. |
Operations & Supply (Items 8 & 15)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Owner-Operator Required | Yes |
| Participation Details | The Operating Partner or Operating Manager (Designated Operators) must devote full time, energy, and best efforts to the management and operation of the Brass Tap Bar and have primary responsibility for its operations. If the franchisee or principal owner is not actively supervising, Designated Operators must meet specific qualifications including satisfactory experience, day-to-day management responsibility, full-time employment, signing a confidentiality and non-competition agreement, and completing initial training. Designated Operators are not required to have an equity interest in the franchised business. |
| Required Suppliers | Franchisees are required to purchase all food products from Sysco, the designated supplier. They must also participate in any gift card and/or loyalty program administered by Brass Tap Gift Programs LLC, which is the exclusive supplier for gift cards and loyalty programming. |
| Supply Restrictions | Franchisees must purchase or lease and install all fixtures, furnishings, equipment (including the Computer System and Software), décor items, signs, ingredients, beverages, services, and inventory in accordance with franchisor standards and specifications. The franchisor may add, delete, or modify these standards and specifications in writing. |
| Franchisor Revenue from Suppliers | The parent company, FSC, received $412,151 in rebates (0.8% of its total revenues) from purchases by Brass Tap Bars and Beef 'O' Brady's® Family Sport Pubs in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. These rebates are based on purchases of oil, mac and cheese, beer cheese, wing sauces, and dressing. |
Financing (Item 10)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Financing Available | No |
| Description | The franchisor does not offer direct or indirect financing, nor does it guarantee any franchisee's note, lease, or obligation. |
The Brass Tap Franchise Earnings — Item 19
Average Revenue
$1.4M
Median Revenue
$1.3M
Revenue Range
$342K – $2.6M
Sample Size
37 units
Past financial performance does not guarantee future results. Individual results will vary.
The Brass Tap Litigation & Risk Flags
Clean Litigation RecordThe Brass Tap 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.
The Brass Tap System Growth
Total Units
41
Franchised
39
Company-Owned
2
The Brass Tap currently operates 39 franchised locations and 2 company-owned units. Unit count data is sourced from Item 20 of the FDD.
Unit History (Item 20)
| Year | Opened | Closed | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 4 | 7 | 42 |
| 2020 | 5 | 8 | 39 |
| 2021 | 2 | 0 | 41 |
Transfers: 0 | Closures: 0
State Registrations
Registered in 13 states: CA, IL, IN, MD, MI, MN, NY, ND, RI, SD, VA, WA, WI
Franchisor Financials (Item 21)
Revenue
$49.7M
Net Income
$5.6M
Total Assets
$52.2M
Audited by WINDHAM BRANNON, LLC for year ending December 31, 2021.
The Brass Tap Franchise — FAQ
The total investment to open a The Brass Tap franchise ranges from $785,425 to $1,318,025, per their Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the initial franchise fee of $25,000. The investment covers build-out, inventory, equipment, signage, working capital, and other startup costs.
The Brass Tap charges a royalty fee of 4% of previous week’s Adjusted Gross Sales of gross sales, plus a 1.5% of your previous week’s Adjusted Gross Sales (may increase to 2.5%) contribution to the marketing/advertising fund. These fees are paid on an ongoing basis.
You can download the The Brass Tap 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 The Brass Tap to ensure you have the most up-to-date version.
According to the Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD, The Brass Tap franchise owners report average revenue of $1.4M and median revenue of $1.3M. This is based on a sample of 37 units. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
The Brass Tap has been franchising since 2012. The FDD shows an investment range of $785,425-$1,318,025, a 4% of previous week’s Adjusted Gross Sales 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 $25,000 and the total investment ranges from $785,425 to $1,318,025 depending on location size and market. Contact the franchisor directly for current net worth and liquid capital requirements, territory availability, and application details.
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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 The Brass Tap and consult a qualified franchise attorney before making any investment decision. FranchiseOverview.com is operated by Franchising Compliance, LLC and is not affiliated with The Brass Tap or any of its subsidiaries. To report an inaccuracy: info@franchiseoverview.com