2018
20
$261,000
$40,000
$1,069,000
No
Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ is redefining the fast-casual dining experience across the United States. Founded in 2018, Crave offers a unique blend of gourmet hot dogs, authentic BBQ, and an engaging atmosphere featuring self-pour beer walls and axe throwing. With over 20 locations nationwide, Crave has rapidly expanded its footprint, including express units inside select Walmart stores, catering to a diverse customer base seeking quality, convenience, and entertainment.
Rapid Growth & Expansion: Crave has demonstrated impressive growth, with plans to open 100 units inside Walmart locations across Ohio, Florida, and Kentucky by the end of the year.
Diverse Revenue Streams: The franchise model includes brick-and-mortar locations, food trucks, and express units, allowing for multiple avenues of income generation.
Comprehensive Support: Franchisees receive extensive training, marketing assistance, and operational support to ensure business success.
Proven Concept: Crave's unique offerings and engaging environment have garnered a loyal customer base and industry recognition.
Established Year:
Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ was founded in 2018, making it a relatively young yet rapidly growing brand in the U.S. fast-casual dining industry.
Founders:
The franchise was co-founded by Samantha Rincione, who serves as CEO. She brings over 15 years of experience in the restaurant and franchising industry. Her vision was to combine gourmet hot dogs and authentic barbecue with a fun, engaging experience for customers, including entertainment features such as self-pour beer walls and axe-throwing activities in select locations.
Franchise Units:
Crave currently operates over 20 locations nationwide, including traditional restaurants, food trucks, and express units inside Walmart stores. The brand is actively expanding, targeting 100 locations inside Walmart stores across Ohio, Florida, and Kentucky in the near future.
Ownership:
Crave is privately owned and operated. It has maintained a centralized structure to ensure quality control and consistency across all locations.
Brand Journey & Company History:
2018: Crave was founded, introducing a unique fast-casual concept combining hot dogs, BBQ, and interactive experiences.
2019–2021: The brand started expanding regionally, opening new restaurants in high-traffic areas and experimenting with express formats.
2022–Present: The brand’s growth accelerated, launching express units in Walmart stores and food trucks, significantly increasing its footprint and visibility.
Market Presence:
Crave currently has a presence in 16 U.S. states, with both full-scale restaurants and express locations. Its fast-casual approach positions it in the hot dog, BBQ, and entertainment segment of the restaurant industry. The brand’s unique combination of food and interactive experiences has helped it stand out in the competitive casual dining market.
Industry Category:
Crave operates in the fast-casual dining sector, specializing in gourmet hot dogs, authentic barbecue, and entertainment-driven experiences, appealing to families, young adults, and corporate groups.
Other Relevant Info:
Innovation & Entertainment: Crave differentiates itself with features like self-pour tap walls, axe-throwing areas, and food trucks.
Target Audience: Millennials, families, and casual diners looking for quality food in an entertaining atmosphere.
Expansion Strategy: Focuses on high-traffic urban areas, shopping centers, and strategic partnerships (e.g., Walmart express units).
Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ offers a structured and comprehensive support system designed to help franchisees succeed from the pre-launch phase through ongoing operations. The company ensures that each franchisee has the resources, knowledge, and guidance needed to run a profitable and consistent business.
Before opening a franchise location, Crave provides extensive assistance to ensure the new unit is properly set up:
Site Selection Assistance: Guidance on choosing the best location based on foot traffic, demographics, visibility, and competitive landscape.
Lease Negotiation: Support in negotiating favorable lease terms to protect the franchisee’s investment.
Store Design & Build-Out: Assistance in designing the layout of the restaurant, including kitchen, dining, and entertainment areas, to match brand standards.
Permits & Compliance: Help with obtaining necessary licenses, health permits, and local approvals.
Crave ensures that franchisees and their staff are fully trained to operate the business efficiently:
Initial Franchise Training: Hands-on training covering operations, customer service, food preparation, safety standards, and quality control.
Management Training: Instruction for franchise owners and managers on leadership, staffing, scheduling, and team development.
Staff Training: Materials and support to train employees in service excellence, product knowledge, and brand standards.
Operational Manuals: Access to detailed manuals covering all aspects of restaurant operations, from kitchen procedures to customer engagement.
Crave helps franchisees attract and retain customers through:
National Marketing Campaigns: Strategic advertising initiatives to build brand awareness across markets.
Local Marketing Guidance: Tailored support for local promotions, events, social media management, and digital marketing strategies.
Grand Opening Support: Assistance in organizing grand opening events to maximize initial customer traffic and visibility.
Even after launch, Crave continues to provide hands-on guidance:
Regular Operational Reviews: Scheduled visits and evaluations to ensure franchise standards are maintained.
Inventory & Supply Chain Assistance: Support in sourcing ingredients, managing inventory, and maintaining consistent product quality.
Problem-Solving & Consulting: On-call assistance for operational challenges, staffing issues, and business growth strategies.
Franchisees gain access to proprietary tools to streamline business management:
POS System & Ordering Technology: Training and support for Crave’s point-of-sale systems, self-order kiosks, and online ordering platforms.
Performance Analytics: Tools to track sales, customer preferences, and operational efficiency.
Loyalty & Rewards Programs: Guidance in implementing customer engagement programs to increase repeat business.
Crave emphasizes continuous learning through workshops, webinars, and franchisee meetings to stay updated on industry trends and operational improvements.
Franchisees can attend annual conferences to network, share best practices, and learn about new menu innovations and marketing strategies.
Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ is seeking franchise partners who are driven, business-savvy, and passionate about food and customer experience. The ideal franchisee possesses the right combination of financial capability, operational interest, and dedication to uphold the brand’s standards and growth strategy.
Minimum Liquid Capital: $150,000 for brick-and-mortar restaurants; $75,000 for food trucks or express units.
Minimum Net Worth: $300,000 for full-scale restaurants; $150,000 for smaller units or food trucks.
Investment Readiness: Willing and able to make the total initial investment, which ranges from $261,000 to $1,069,000 depending on the location and format.
Business Background: Experience in managing a business, preferably in retail, foodservice, or hospitality, is advantageous but not mandatory.
Operational Interest: Eagerness to learn the operational aspects of running a fast-casual restaurant, including staffing, inventory management, and customer service.
Commitment to Standards: Willingness to adhere strictly to Crave’s operational procedures and brand guidelines to ensure a consistent customer experience.
Genuine interest in gourmet hot dogs, BBQ cuisine, and creating a fun, engaging atmosphere for guests.
Ability to connect with customers, build a loyal community, and create memorable dining experiences.
Capable of managing and motivating staff effectively, ensuring high levels of productivity and morale.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills to handle day-to-day operations and customer interactions.
Preference for high-traffic locations such as urban centers, shopping districts, and malls, including Walmart express locations.
Willingness to research and engage with local communities to maximize brand visibility and customer engagement.
Open to exploring multiple revenue streams such as catering, events, merchandise, and express units.
Desire to expand within a territory or multiple locations as the business grows.
The ideal Crave franchisee is a motivated, financially capable entrepreneur with a passion for food, people, and growth. They are committed to operational excellence, delivering exceptional guest experiences, and contributing to Crave’s mission of providing fun, high-quality fast-casual dining experiences across the United States.
| Financial Component | Details / Range |
|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $40,000 for brick-and-mortar locations; $30,000 for food trucks/express units |
| Total Investment Required | $261,000 – $1,069,000 (depends on location type, size, and format) |
| Royalty Fee | 8% of gross sales |
| Advertising Fee | 2% of gross sales |
| Minimum Liquid Capital | $150,000 for restaurants; $75,000 for food trucks/express units |
| Minimum Net Worth Requirement | $300,000 for restaurants; $150,000 for food trucks/express units |
| Infrastructure / Build-Out Costs | $200,000 – $750,000 depending on location size and design |
| Marketing Budget (Initial & Ongoing) | Included in advertising fee; initial marketing support for grand opening available |
| Working Capital | $20,000 – $50,000 recommended for first 3–6 months of operations |
| Expected ROI | 18% – 25% depending on location, operations, and management |
| Break-Even Time | Typically 12–24 months |
| Potential Revenue Streams | In-store food & beverage sales, catering, express units, merchandise sales |
| Franchise Units Currently Operating | Over 20 units across 16 U.S. states, including food trucks and Walmart express units |
