
BrewDog
Food & Beverage · Bars & Pubs
- Active units
- 0
- Avg unit volume
- $2.9M
- Royalty
- 5.0%
Franchised, year-end 2023
of weekly Net Sales
About BrewDog
BrewDog is a brewery and pub chain based in Ellon, Scotland, United Kingdom. It was founded in 2007 by James Watt and Martin Dickie, two friends who were dissatisfied with the beer offerings in the market. They started brewing their own craft beers in a small facility in Fraserburgh, Scotland. Since then, the company has become one of the most recognized craft beer brands globally. BrewDog's headquarters are located in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The facility, known as the Beer Geek Mecca, features a state-of-the-art brewing operation, a visitor center, and a taproom. It serves as the company's hub for experimentation and development of new and innovative brews. The company offers a wide range of beers, including core beers like Punk IPA, Dead Pony Pale Ale, and Jet Black Heart. They also produce limited edition and seasonal beers to cater to different tastes and preferences. In addition to brewing operations, BrewDog operates a chain of pubs across the United Kingdom and internationally. These pubs serve their own craft beers as well as a selection of other beverages and food. On a global scale, BrewDog has expanded its operations to several countries, including the United States, Germany, Australia, and China. They have also established breweries and taprooms in various locations, allowing them to produce and serve their beers locally. BrewDog's growth has been supported by several partnerships and joint ventures, including a collaboration with TSG Consumer Partners, a private equity firm, which helped fund the expansion. In terms of market position, BrewDog has made a significant impact on the craft beer industry. Despite its relatively small size compared to major beer conglomerates, the company has seen impressive growth and has gained a dedicated following of craft beer enthusiasts. It has become renowned for its rebellious and irreverent marketing campaigns, which have helped to differentiate the brand from its competitors. BrewDog has achieved numerous major milestones throughout its history. In 2017, the company launched its ambitious Equity for Punks crowdfunding campaign, raising over £26 million. They have also been recognized with awards for their innovative beer recipes and packaging designs. As of the latest updates, BrewDog continues to expand its reach with new brewery openings and expansion into new markets. The company's commitment to sustainability is evident through initiatives such as installing wind turbines at its brewery to generate renewable energy. Overall, BrewDog remains a significant player in the craft beer industry, known for its quality brews, innovative marketing, and commitment to pushing boundaries.
Key terms
- Franchise fee
$50k
- Brand fund
1.0% of Net Sales
- Local advertising
1.5% of Net Sales
- Footprint
8,500 – 10,000 sq ft
- Development Rights Agreement - Development Fee
$50k
- Veteran discount
Not offered
Brand Percentile Rankings
Rankings compare brands in the same operating year. Fee and investment figures come from the FDD (2024 filing).
Growth
- Total locations0
Franchised units open at year-end
- New openings0
Gross new units opened during the calendar year
- 1-year unit growth rate—
Net unit growth versus prior year
- 3-year unit CAGR—
Compound annual growth rate of unit count over the trailing 3 years
- Unit growth ratio0.0×
Cumulative opens / closures through year-end
Unit economics
- Annual unit volume (Median)$2.9M
Average 2023 Gross Revenue across six affiliate-owned BrewPubs similar in size and nature to franchised locations.
- Annual unit volume (25th percentile)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- Annual unit volume (75th percentile)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- 1-year Median AUV growth rate—
Year-over-year change in median AUV
- Store-level EBITDA Margin—
Median unit-level EBITDA / AUV
Investment profile
- Estimated initial investment$4.5M
Midpoint of estimated initial investment range
↓ Lower is better - Time to open12 months
Midpoint of average time from agreement to opening
↓ Lower is better - Royalty rate5.0%
Percent of net sales paid to the franchisor
↓ Lower is better - Sales-to-investment ratio0.6×
Median AUV / estimated initial investment midpoint
- Cash-on-cash returns—
Median unit-level EBITDA / estimated initial investment midpoint. Steady-state estimate; year 1 returns will be lower as the unit ramps to median volumes.
Franchisee healthLocked
- Unit closure ratio
- Transfer vs. closure ratio
- Percent multi-unit franchisees
- Litigation rate
- EBITDA multiple on sales & transfers
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