Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ
Food & Beverage · Fast Food
Description
What is Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ?
What sets Crave apart is their unique entertainment-meets-dining approach. Many locations feature self-pour beer walls with an extensive selection of craft beers, wines, and ciders, creating an interactive experience for customers. The restaurant's atmosphere is enhanced by entertainment options like axe throwing, game nights, karaoke, and various social activities, making it a perfect destination for families, friends, or casual dining.
Their menu showcases jumbo all-beef hot dogs with creative toppings, authentic BBQ featuring brisket, pulled pork, and ribs, along with crowd-pleasing sides like loaded tots, mac and cheese, and their famous cornbread. All items are prepared in their signature greaseless kitchen, using air-frying technology for healthier options without sacrificing flavor.
Crave's business model emphasizes community involvement and creating a welcoming atmosphere. Their locations typically feature spacious dining areas with multiple TVs for sports viewing, outdoor seating options, and family-friendly amenities. Special promotions like Kids Eat Free Wednesdays and regular events help build local customer loyalty.
The franchise has garnered praise for its exceptional customer service, clean environments, and consistent food quality. Their combination of traditional American favorites with modern dining trends has proven successful in various markets, making Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ a standout option in the fast-casual restaurant segment.
- Multi-concept dining and entertainment venue
- Self-pour beer wall technology
- Real ax throwing entertainment
- Diversified revenue stream model
- Family-friendly experiential dining
- Below sub-sector investment requirements
Location Analysis
Where Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ wins
The franchise's geographic distribution reveals a strategic focus on Southeast expansion, with successful penetration into key markets like Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. This regional concentration allows for efficient supply chain management and strong brand recognition within its primary territory. However, the limited presence in other regions presents significant expansion opportunities, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest markets where the hot dogs and BBQ concept could resonate with local tastes.
Ideal locations for new franchises should target mid-sized cities with strong lunch crowds, suburban areas with median household incomes above $60,000, and regions with established BBQ culture. The success in the Carolinas suggests that markets with a mix of traditional and contemporary dining preferences are particularly viable. Prospective franchisees should focus on areas with high foot traffic, strong residential density, and proximity to business districts or retail centers. The relatively young age of the franchise (established 2018) combined with its strong performance metrics indicates significant growth potential in untapped markets.
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Financial Analysis
The numbers behind Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ
The barbecue restaurant segment benefits from Americans' sustained appetite for comfort food and experiential dining. Crave's diversified revenue streams through food service, beverage sales, entertainment, and catering create multiple income channels within a single location. The self-pour beer wall and ax throwing differentiate the concept in an increasingly competitive fast-casual market.
Established in 2018 with 26 units, Crave represents an emerging franchise system in early growth phases. While this indicates limited operational history, it also suggests potential for market expansion and territory availability. The relatively small unit count may present challenges in brand recognition and purchasing power compared to established competitors.
Ideal investors should possess restaurant industry experience and sufficient liquid capital to sustain operations during the initial ramp-up period. The entertainment component requires additional operational oversight and liability considerations. Multi-unit development opportunities may exist given the system's growth stage, though investors should carefully evaluate market demographics supporting the experiential dining concept. Prospective franchisees must review the complete FDD and conduct thorough due diligence before investment decisions.
Financing partners
Vetted partners, tailored to franchisees
Your Franzy advisor can connect you with these partners later in the process — competitive rates, specialized in franchise financing.
FranFund
CRF USA
Nonprofit SBA lender; provides financing for franchise acquisitions, startups, and expansion.
First Bank of the Lake
Pension Pros
FDD Item 7
Initial investment range
Per FDD Item 7, total initial investment ranges from $301,500 to $1,192,500. The midpoint $747,000 is what most franchisees report at signing — financing typically reduces cash-at-close by 80–90%. Knowing the investment range helps you plan confidently and ensure you're fully prepared to make the leap.
Growth over time
Franchise footprint
2024 Franchise Disclosure
FDD documents
Below are items 2, 3, 4, 7, 11 and 19 for Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ's 2024 FDD. The complete FDD is delivered to you directly by the franchisor, per the FTC Franchise Rule.
Connect to download Items 2, 3, 4, and 11 — direct from the franchisor.
Buyer FAQs
Frequently asked questions
The initial investment for a Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ franchise typically ranges between $301,500.00 and $1,192,500.00. This includes the franchise fee, equipment, real estate, and other startup costs. To get a detailed breakdown and better understand the financial requirements, we recommend scheduling a call with the Franzy team. We'll walk you through the specifics and answer any questions you might have. For more detailed information, refer to the financial sections of the FDD.
Disclaimer. The information provided on this page is based on the latest Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) that is publicly available and that we have on record, which was issued in 2024. This information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal, financial, or business advice. We make no guarantees or claims regarding the completeness or accuracy. For the most current and detailed information, we recommend consulting the franchisor directly for the most recent FDD and regarding any questions that you may have about the information provided.
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