About Crooked Pint Ale House Franchise
Crooked Pint Ale House is a casual dining franchise under parent company Hightop Brands, LLC, offering opportunities since 2012.
Each restaurant features a menu of elevated pub fare including specialty burgers, wings, flatbreads, and appetizers, paired with an extensive craft beer selection.
The brand creates a lively, neighborhood gathering spot with a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Crooked Pint Ale House Franchise Cost & Fees
Minimum Investment
$1.2M
Average Investment
$1.6M
Maximum Investment
$2.1M
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $45,000 | One-time payment upon signing |
| Royalty Fee | 4% of Gross Sales of gross sales | Ongoing; paid monthly |
| Marketing/Ad Fund | Up to 3% of Gross Sales (currently 1.5% of Gross Sales) | National brand fund |
| Total Investment Range | $1,181,700 – $2,093,900 | Includes build-out, inventory, working capital |
The investment range of $1.2M–$2.1M reflects variability in build-out costs, store size, lease terms, and market. The combined royalty (4% of Gross Sales) and marketing fee (Up to 3% of Gross Sales (currently 1.5% of Gross Sales)) are ongoing costs paid as a percentage of gross sales.
Investment Breakdown (Item 7)
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Training-Related Expenses | $60,000 | $70,000 |
| Rent Security Deposit and First Month’s Rent | $0 | $22,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $650,000 | $850,000 |
| Equipment and Trade Fixtures | $264,000 | $867,000 |
| Signage | $18,000 | $40,000 |
| Opening Inventory and Smallwares | $50,000 | $65,000 |
| Insurance | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Initial Advertising and Promotional Costs | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Miscellaneous Start-Up costs | $8,000 | $12,200 |
| Liquor License | $4,000 | $10,000 |
| Quality Control Inspection Fee | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Academy Fee | $1,200 | $1,200 |
| Additional Funds - 3 months | $50,000 | $75,000 |
Additional Fees (Item 6)
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transfer Fee | $12,500 (reduced for multiple simultaneous transfers) |
| Renewal Fee | $20,000 |
| Technology Fee | 3.99% of Gross Sales run through credit card processing system (processing revenue), with a monthly minimum of $3,400. In addition, there is a $229.99 monthly KDS connection fee. Also, Restaurant 365 software at $281 monthly. |
| Audit Fee | Cost of audit plus interest at the maximum rate allowable by law (not to exceed 1.5% per month) if understatement of Gross Sales, Royalty Fees or Advertising Fees by 1.25% or more |
| Local Advertising | 0.5% of Gross Sales |
| Remodeling | $300,000 to $650,000 (not more often than once every 7 years) |
| Late Fee | $150 for each delinquent report or payment |
| Insurance | $20,000-$40,000 for annual premiums |
| Quality Control Inspections | $1,500 annually for SMG inspections, plus reimbursement for franchisor's costs |
| Additional Training | $1,000 for on-site general manager, $750 each for kitchen manager, assistant kitchen manager, and dining room manager (if requested by franchisee) |
| Indemnification | Varies |
| Academy Fee | $1,200 annually |
Training Program (Item 11)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Duration | 2 to 6 weeks depending on management position (pre-opening management training); On-site General Manager (6-8 weeks), Kitchen Manager (3-5 weeks), Assistant Kitchen Manager (2 weeks), Dining Room Manager (2-3 weeks) |
| Classroom Training | Up to 75 hours |
| On-the-Job Training | Up to 400 hours |
| Training Location | Mpls./St. Paul, Minnesota area |
| Additional Training | Refresher training courses as determined necessary by franchisor (no charge for course, but franchisee pays expenses). Additional managers can be trained for a fee ($1,000 for GM, $750 for KM/AKM/DRM). Yearly Academy Fee ($1,200) for online access to training materials. |
Territory Rights (Item 12)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Territory Type | Non-exclusive |
| Exclusive Territory | No |
| Territory Size | General trade area with a population base of, or anticipated population growth to, approximately 15,000 to 40,000. |
| Description | Franchisee receives the right to operate at a specific location within a 'Designated Area'. The franchisor will not operate or grant others the right to operate another Crooked Pint Ale House Restaurant within this Designated Area, except for 'Limited Seating Facilities' (under 2,400 sq ft, <48 seats) where the franchisee has a right of first refusal, and 'Special Sites' (military bases, transportation facilities, sports facilities, college campuses, amusement parks, community/special events) which are entirely excluded. The franchisor also reserves the right to offer/sell products through other channels (e.g., grocery stores, internet) within and outside the Designated Area, except for retail food service Menu Items cooked/prepared for consumption at a retail location (Prohibited Items). |
Renewal, Termination & Transfer (Item 17)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Initial Term | 20 years |
| Renewal Term | First renewal term is 10 years; second renewal term is 5 years. If relocating upon renewal, a 20-year term is possible. |
| Renewal Fee | $20,000 |
| Renewal Conditions | Written notice 6-12 months prior to expiration, sign then-current franchise agreement (terms may differ, including higher fees and modified Designated Area), comply with modernization requirements (including potential relocation), not be in default, provide proof of lease renewal (if applicable), comply with training, pay renewal fee, and execute a general release of claims. |
| Transfer Fee | $12,500 (reduced for multiple simultaneous transfers) |
| Transfer Conditions | Franchisor consent required (not unreasonably withheld). Transferee must meet current franchisee requirements, all amounts owed by prior franchisee must be paid, all required reports submitted, modernization completed, guarantees signed, general release signed, transferee executes then-current franchise agreement, transferee completes training, and full compliance with all other franchise agreements. Certain conditions are waived for transfers to immediate family members or among Principal Owners (no fee, no right of first refusal, no new agreement). |
| Termination for Cause | Franchisor can terminate for various defaults, with either 10-day, 30-day, 24-hour cure periods, or immediate termination without cure, depending on the nature of the default. Examples of non-curable defaults include material misrepresentation, abandonment, loss/revocation of liquor license, loss of lease, unauthorized use of confidential information, insolvency, unapproved transfers, multiple defaults, failure to open on time, or failure to secure financing/start construction on time. |
| Non-Compete Period | During the term of the franchise, and for 2 years after termination or expiration. |
| Non-Compete Details | During the term, no direct or indirect involvement in any restaurant or food business other than the franchised one (with an exception for existing non-casual/fast-casual restaurants). After termination/expiration, no direct or indirect involvement in a competing casual or fast-casual restaurant/bar business for 2 years at the former Restaurant premises, within a 5-mile radius of the former Restaurant, or within a 5-mile radius of any other Crooked Pint Ale House System business. |
Operations & Supply (Items 8 & 15)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Owner-Operator Required | Yes |
| Participation Details | The franchisee (if an individual), Control Person, or Unit General Manager must devote full time and best efforts to the management of the Restaurant and provide direct on-premises supervision. The Control Person, Unit General Manager, and Assistant Managers must complete initial training. At least three managers per restaurant must have completed training, and one Serv-Safe® certified employee must be on duty at all times. The Control Person must attend annual meetings and other required meetings. |
| Required Suppliers | Coca-Cola North America (beverages), US Foodservice (foods, beverages, supplies, smallwares), EcoLab (cleaning products), Don Farleo Advertising & Design Co. (advertising, marketing, web design), SMG (customer survey program), Restaurant 365 (accounting and inventory software), INGAGE I.T. (POS hardware/software, MSP, online ordering, KDS, Wi-Fi, Loyalty Programs, Gift Card and credit card processing), Franchisor/affiliates (Opening Team trainers, related labor, training materials). |
| Supply Restrictions | Franchisees must use approved products, services, inventory, equipment, fixtures, furnishings, signs, advertising materials, trademarked items and novelties, and other items or services from approved suppliers or designated sources. Certain items may only be available from a single source, which may be the franchisor or its affiliates. Any unapproved products or suppliers require written notification and approval from the franchisor, including submission of samples and payment for testing costs. |
| Franchisor Revenue from Suppliers | $401,363 or 24.1% of total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021. Suppliers also contributed $14,165 to the Advertising Fund. |
Financing (Item 10)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Financing Available | No |
| Description | We do not offer direct or indirect financing. We do not guarantee your notes, leases or other obligations. |
Crooked Pint Ale House Franchise Earnings — Item 19
Average Revenue
$167K
Median Revenue
$194K
Revenue Range
$76K – $249K
Sample Size
11 units
Past financial performance does not guarantee future results. Individual results will vary.
Crooked Pint Ale House Litigation & Risk Flags
Clean Litigation RecordCrooked Pint Ale House 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.
Crooked Pint Ale House System Growth
Total Units
14
Franchised
14
Company-Owned
0
Crooked Pint Ale House currently operates 14 franchised locations and 0 company-owned units. Unit count data is sourced from Item 20 of the FDD.
Unit History (Item 20)
| Year | Opened | Closed | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 1 | 13 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | 14 |
Transfers: 1 | Closures: 1
State Registrations
Registered in 4 states: MN, ND, SD, WI
Franchisor Financials (Item 21)
Revenue
$1.1M
Net Income
$212K
Total Assets
$806K
Audited by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP for year ending December 31.
Crooked Pint Ale House Franchise — FAQ
The total investment to open a Crooked Pint Ale House franchise ranges from $1,181,700 to $2,093,900, per their Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the initial franchise fee of $45,000. The investment covers build-out, inventory, equipment, signage, working capital, and other startup costs.
Crooked Pint Ale House charges a royalty fee of 4% of Gross Sales of gross sales, plus a Up to 3% of Gross Sales (currently 1.5% of Gross Sales) contribution to the marketing/advertising fund. These fees are paid on an ongoing basis.
You can download the Crooked Pint Ale House 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 Crooked Pint Ale House to ensure you have the most up-to-date version.
According to the Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD, Crooked Pint Ale House franchise owners report average revenue of $167K and median revenue of $194K. This is based on a sample of 11 units. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Crooked Pint Ale House has been franchising since 2012. The FDD shows an investment range of $1,181,700-$2,093,900, a 4% of 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 $45,000 and the total investment ranges from $1,181,700 to $2,093,900 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 Crooked Pint Ale House and consult a qualified franchise attorney before making any investment decision. FranchiseOverview.com is operated by Franchising Compliance, LLC and is not affiliated with Crooked Pint Ale House or any of its subsidiaries. To report an inaccuracy: info@franchiseoverview.com