The Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ franchise in the QSR category. This report analyzes the full Franchise Disclosure Document including unit economics, fee structure, growth trends, and risk indicators to help you evaluate the cost of investing in Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ.
Critical issues identified from FDD analysis that warrant serious consideration before investing.
Composite quality score based on growth, stability, efficiency, fees, transparency, and system size.
Financial Performance Representations not disclosed by this franchisor
Approximately 40% of franchisors choose not to include Item 19 financial performance data in their FDD. This does not necessarily indicate poor performance -- it simply means the franchisor has elected not to disclose this information.
Automated risk indicators based on FDD data analysis.
Franchise unit trajectory based on FDD Item 20 data.
| Year | Start | Opened | Closed | Transferred | End | Closure Rate | Net Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 14 | +5 | -2 | 0 | 17 | 14.3% | -- |
| 2023 | 17 | +16 | -8 | 0 | 24 | 47.1% | -- |
| 2024 | 24 | +7 | -1 | 0 | 22 | 4.2% | -- |
| 2025 | -- | +75 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
How Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ compares to peer brands in the QSR category.
Ratio = Investment midpoint ÷ median annual revenue. Lower is better. A 0.5x ratio means the initial investment equals half of one year's gross revenue. Does not account for operating costs, margins, or time value of money.
| Brand | Total Units | Investment Range | Median Revenue | Royalty | Inv/Rev Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subway | 19502 | $263K – $630K | No Item 19 | 8.0% | -- |
| McDonald's | 12772 | $1.47M – $2.64M | $3.00M | 5.0% | 0.7x |
| Dunkin' | 8499 | $527K – $1.83M | No Item 19 | 5.9% | -- |
| Domino's Pizza | 7043 | $120K – $462K | $20K | 5.5% | 14.9x |
| Wendy's | 5552 | $1.41M – $2.90M | $2.33M | 4.0% | 0.9x |
| Burger King | 5524 | $1.80M – $3.30M | $1.67M | 4.5% | 1.5x |
| Dairy Queen | 4400 | $1.15M – $2.44M | No Item 19 | 4.0% | -- |
| Little Caesars | 3705 | $446K – $1.82M | No Item 19 | 6.0% | -- |
| KFC | 3558 | $135K – $540K | $1.35M | 5.0% | 0.2x |
| Arby's | 3400 | $313K – $3.45M | $1.39M | 4.0% | 1.4x |
A quick-serve restaurant or food truck offering hot dogs, other cased meats, barbeque items, beverages, appetizers, and side dishes. Restaurants may also offer beer and wine, and larger outlets have the option to include axe throwing lanes.
Franchisees receive a Designated Territory (typically a five-mile radius for restaurants or a mileage radius based on population density for food trucks), but it is not exclusive and the franchisor may compete within it through non-traditional sites or other channels.
Three pending actions involving claims of fraudulent misrepresentation, unfair trade practices, and violations of franchise laws in Michigan and Louisiana.
Audited financial statements from the franchisor's FDD (Item 21). These show the financial health of the franchisor entity, not individual franchise units.
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $628,453 | $1,398,273 | $866,156 |
| Royalty Revenue | $277,921 | $366,119 | $328,716 |
| Franchise Fee Revenue | $305,000 | $972,500 | $475,000 |
| Total Expenses | $471,791 | $895,882 | $908,514 |
| Operating Income | $156,662 | $502,391 | ($42,358) |
| Net Income | $156,662 | $502,391 | ($42,358) |
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $775,102 | $522,726 | $454,930 |
| Total Liabilities | $1,269,472 | $998,049 | $1,141,951 |
| Total Equity | $-494,370 | $-475,323 | $-687,021 |
| Cash & Equivalents | $324,440 | $139,884 | $48,991 |
| Current Ratio | 0.58x | 0.51x | 0.39x |
| Debt-to-Equity | -- | -- | -- |
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating | $740,941 | $242,837 | $96,670 |
| Investing | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Financing | ($485,663) | ($427,394) | ($187,563) |
| Net Change | $255,278 | ($184,556) | ($90,893) |
Key terms extracted from FDD Items 8-18. Click each section to expand.
Franchisor Financing Available: False
Details: CRAVE Franchising, LLC does not offer direct or indirect financing and does not guarantee a franchisee's note, lease, or obligation.
Pre Opening Assistance:
Ongoing Assistance:
Training Program:
Initial Training Hours: 55 total hours for Restaurant (15 classroom, 37 on-the-job); 28 total hours for Food Truck (12 classroom, 16 on-the-job)
Location: Franchisor's headquarters or a training facility/operating Crave business designated by the franchisor.
Description: Mandatory initial training for two people (including the franchisee or General Manager) covering orientation, operations, food prep, line assembly, and management.
Exclusive Territory: False
Territory Description: For Restaurants: A 5-mile radius around the Accepted Location (unless it is a Non-Traditional Site). For Food Trucks: A mileage radius based on municipality density, ranging from 10 city blocks/5 miles in urban areas up to 50 miles in rural areas.
Can Franchisor Compete: True
Online Sales Rights: Franchisor or its affiliate will fulfill all orders placed through the retail portion of the website; the franchisee is not entitled to any portion of these profits, even if the customer is in their territory.
The principal registered marks are 'CRAVE' (Reg. No. 5822628) and '#BEATTHECRAVING' (Reg. No. 6005320). Marks are owned by parent company Rincione Investments LLC and licensed to the franchisor.
None disclosed
The franchisee is not required to be the full-time operator but must designate and retain a full-time General Manager who has successfully completed the training program. The General Manager does not need an equity interest in the business.
Franchisees must sell all menu items, food products, and merchandise required by the franchisor. They may only sell items expressly approved in writing. Restaurants must offer beer and may offer wine if permitted by law. Express Restaurants and Food Trucks do not offer alcohol.
Term Length Years: 10 years
Renewal Conditions: One successor term of 10 years available if in substantial compliance, pay a $5,000 successor fee, and sign the then-current franchise agreement (which may have materially different terms).
Termination For Cause Conditions:
Transfer Conditions: Franchisor approval required; $5,000 transfer fee; transferee must meet current qualifications; transferor must sign a general release.
Non Compete Post Termination:
Duration: 2 years
Radius: 10 miles
Scope: Any similar business or any Franchised Business in the System.
None
Required Suppliers:
Purchasing Cooperatives: None currently established.
Notes: Franchisees must use proprietary recipes and purchase proprietary products bearing the Marks solely from the franchisor or designated sources. Approximately 68% to 78% of initial investment and 50% of ongoing operating expenses are for items purchased from required or approved sources.
The table lists 25 categories of obligations including site selection, pre-opening purchases, training, opening, fees, compliance with standards, trademarks, insurance, advertising, and post-termination obligations, referencing specific sections of the Franchise Agreement and Multi-Unit Development Agreement.
Contact information for current and former franchisees as disclosed in the FDD.
| Name | Location | Phone | Territory |
|---|---|---|---|
| House of JAX LLC (Jimmy Jackson) | Chandler, AZ | 408-748-0421 | Food Truck in Chandler, Arizona |
| M.E.R.E. LLC (Kareem Epting, Rosalyn Epting) | Scottsdale, AZ | 713-363-1792 | Scottsdale, Arizona (Unopened) |
| Ronin Investments LLC (Todd Gardner, Cassandra Gardner, Heath Tee, Shiri Tee) | Greeley, CO 80634 | 970-405-9311 | Greeley, CO |
| BCG Holdings LLC (Brent Gurchin) | , CT | 860-324-5026 | TBD, Connecticut (Unopened) |
| Crandall Enterprises LLC (Rhoda Crandall) | , FL | 352-650-9997 | TBD, Florida (Unopened) |
| JMJ Adventures LLC (Justin Janney) | , FL | 912-844-2118 | TBD, Florida (Unopened) |
| Melance Enterprises LLC (Lance Kamel) | , FL | 954-296-6769 | TBD, Florida (Unopened) |
| Avek Brands LLC (Bonaparte Joubert) | Apopka, FL | 407-929-7149 | Apopka, Florida (Unopened) |
| Big Top Adventures LLC (Philip Jones) | Lady Lake, FL 32159 | 315-272-8920 | Lady Lake, FL |
| Drive Hudson LLC (Tyler Hudson, Leanne Hudson) | Lakeland, FL | 615-708-0656 | Food Truck in Lakeland, Florida |
| L&T Hudson LLC (Tyler Hudson, Leanne Hudson) | Lakeland, FL 33810 | 615-708-0656 | Lakeland, FL |
| Hony & Berly LLC (Anthony Fischetti) | New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 | 413-627-3460 | New Smyrna Beach, FL (Express Unit - Unopened) |
| R & A Hospitality Services LLC (Rhamel Graham) | Ocala, FL 34471 | 646-531-1257 | Ocala, FL |
| CBJ’s Countrywide Transportation Inc (Chester Blunt Jr.) | , GA | 504-251-2923 | TBD, Georgia (Unopened) |
| Omar Loves Hot Dog LLC (Omar Quesada) | Fort Lee, GA | 229-343-3301 | Food Truck in Fort Lee, Georgia |
| Rehoboth Restor LLC (Popaul Vedina) | Lithonia, GA 30038 | 678-517-8792 | Lithonia, GA (Express Unit - Unopened) |
| Because I Care LLC (Sonji Leach) | Savannah, GA 31401 | 803-394-1135 | Savannah, GA |
| Sulinski Endeavors LLC (Adam Suliniski) | , IN | 812-606-2251 | TBD, Indiana (Unopened) |
| Cousin's Connect LLC (Candice Polite) | Louisville, KY 40202 | 917-628-3511 | Louisville, KY (Unopened) |
| Three Dog LLC (Stephen Profumo) | Louisville, KY 40018 | 917-628-3511 | Louisville, KY (Express Unit - Unopened) |
| A&C LLC (Matthew Thompson) | , MI | 248-807-7333 | TBD, Michigan (Unopened) |
| Harris Family Food Inc (Anthony Harris) | Charlotte, NC 28211 | 919-780-2044 | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Harris Family Food Inc (Anthony Harris) | Concord, NC 28027 | 919-780-2044 | Concord, North Carolina |
| Womack & Womack LLC (Eddie Womack, Carol Womack) | Fayetteville, NC | 910-751-1730 | Food Truck in Fayetteville, North Carolina |
| Womack & Womack LLC (Eddie Womack, Carol Womack) | Fayetteville, NC 28314 | 910-751-1730 | Fayetteville, North Carolina |
| Jaybird Provisions LLC (Christopher Catania, Robert Arcuri, Salvatrice Arcuri) | Kings Mountain, NC 28086 | 516-870-4390 | Kings Mountain, North Carolina |
| His and Hers Legacy LLC (Eric Reyes, Jesse Cerna) | Raleigh, NC | 347-510-1318 | Food Truck in Raleigh, North Carolina |
| 2 Eagles 826 LLC (Gina M. Nastro) | Aberdeen, NJ | 732-275-4371 | Food Truck in Aberdeen NJ |
| Ralph Rimualdo | Queensbury, NY 12804 | 518-301-5514 | Queensbury, NY (Express Unit - Unopened) |
| Falls Family Foods LLC (James Falls) | , OH | 704-214-0431 | TBD, Ohio (Unopened) |
| KL Foods LLC (Kelly Ledbetter) | New Philadelphia, OH 44663 | 912-306-6565 | New Philadelphia, OH (Express Unit - Unopened) |
| GC and KC LLC (Gregory Callister) | , SC | 435-729-9992 | TBD, South Carolina (Unopened) |
| Icelands Café, LLC (Kevin Cleveland) | , SC | 843-683-7820 | TBD, South Carolina (Unopened) |
| S&B BBQ LLC (Saleem Blanding, Brandi McNeary) | Midlands, SC | 803-340-1312 | Food Truck in Midlands, South Carolina |
| Musicks BBQ LLC (William Musick) | Morristown, TN 37814 | 423-353-0809 | Morristown, TN |
| Sempala Hot Dogs & BBQ LLC (Morris Ogunleye) | , TX | 682-288-1917 | TBD, Texas (Unopened) |
| Moedyssey LLC (Joseph Scott) | Burleson, TX 76028 | 214-529-0022 | Burleson, TX (Express Unit - Unopened) |
| Scioli EB LLC (Brian and Elena Scioli) | Dallas, TX | 254-760-7245 | Food Truck Dallas, Texas |
| CKIJ LLC (Dawn Thomas, Mordicah Thomas) | Mansfield, TX 76063 | 817-371-4881 | Mansfield, TX |
| CKIJ LLC (Dawn Thomas, Mordicah Thomas) | Mansfield, TX | 817-371-4881 | Food Truck Mansfield Texas |
| SB Restaurant Investments LLC (Shaun Bowen) | San Antonio, TX 78231 | 210-834-8732 | San Antonio, TX (Express Unit - Unopened) |
| Lacefield Business Ventures LLC (Lance and Imara Lacefield) | Texarkana, TX 75501 | 870-845-7767 | Texarkana, TX (Unopened) |
| Matus Holdings (Ryan and Rebecca Matus) | Stafford, VA | 540-538-1397 | Food Truck in Stafford, VA |
| Name | Location | Phone | Reason Left |
|---|---|---|---|
| JMJ Adventures LLC (Justin Janney) | Bryant, AR | 912-844-2118 | Not disclosed |
| BLO Ventures LLC (John Brasch, James Laurie, Tracey O’Connell) | Venice, FL | 941-525-3713 / 941-837-2631 | Not disclosed |
| Pointe Bluff LLC (Brandon Walker) | Dawsonville, GA | 217-620-5122 / 706-265-2337 | Not disclosed |
| Shaxes LLC (James Ballard) | Bettendorf, IA | 563-209-3621 | Not disclosed |
| Jay Sadhimaa Three LLC (Darshan Patel, Kishan Patel, Viren Nayi) | Bloomington, IL | 773-595-1621 / 309-590-7270 | Not disclosed |
| Brevan LLC (Tieman/Franciscy) | North Aurora, IL | 630-244-6861 | Not disclosed |
| Capo's Smokehouse LLC (Melissa Capobianco) | , MI | 734-576-5959 | Left the system prior to opening a location |
| Palmer Hot Dog 1 LLC (Garrett Palmer) | , MI | 419-345-1732 | Left the system prior to opening a location |
| DEZ Holdings Co. (Daniel Morman) | Charlotte, NC | 704-294-1075 | Left the system prior to opening a location |
| Keystone Venture Group LLC (Mark Berry, Angie Berry) | Bethel Park, PA | 717-468-9185 | Transfer from PGH BBQ 2023 |
| US Capital Group LLC (Spencer Newman, Chris Smith) | Williamsport, PA | 570-939-9036 | Left the system prior to opening a location |
| GowanGroup LLC (Paul Gowan, Janene Gowan) | Spartanburg, SC | 864-494-7655 | Not disclosed |
| Lucky Tuck LLC (Landon Houston, Kevin Houston, Misti Houston) | , TX | 817-313-7735 | Left the system prior to opening a location |
SBA 7(a) loan approvals for Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ franchisees from the SBA FOIA public dataset. Lenders report franchise codes at origination — this is real lending activity, not estimates.
Source: SBA FOIA 7(a) public data. Franchise codes matched by brand name. Not all SBA loans are captured; some franchisees finance without SBA programs.
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