Barrel House: Elevating the Neighborhood Bar & Grill Experience

Barrel House is a modern bar and grill franchise founded in 2011 by entrepreneur Jimmy Holt in Davenport, Iowa. The brand focuses on delivering elevated comfort food and a welcoming atmosphere under its motto, “Food That Lifts Your Spirits.”

After nearly a decade of refining its concept, Barrel House began franchising in 2021, opening its first franchise location in Bloomington, Illinois. Headquartered in Davenport, Iowa, Barrel House offers a diverse menu that includes handcrafted burgers, sandwiches, wraps, pizzas, and fresh salads.

Guests also enjoy rotating local craft beers and seasonal specialty cocktails, creating a dynamic and approachable dining experience. The brand appeals to a wide audience by balancing classic bar food with innovative twists.

What differentiates Barrel House from competitors is its signature "We Care™" culture, which emphasizes exceptional guest service and deep community involvement.

Training

Barrel House provides a structured training program designed to ensure that each franchise location operates effectively and consistently. The Franchisor offers multiple components as part of its training regimen:

1. Initial Training Program: Before the opening of the restaurant, the Operating Principal and two key management personnel must attend and successfully complete this program. It spans up to ten business days and includes both classroom and on-site instruction covering restaurant operations, equipment usage, customer service, marketing, and cost control methods.
2. On-Site Opening Assistance: The Franchisor provides on-site support for 3 to 5 days during the restaurant’s opening phase. This assistance includes help with initial operations and implementation of franchise standards and procedures.
3. Supplemental and Refresher Training: Up to seven days per year, the Franchisor may require the Operating Principal and key managers to attend additional training. These sessions cover updates on operations, products, or business management, and are held at the Franchisor’s discretion.
4. Franchise Conventions and Meetings: The Franchisor may also hold mandatory or optional conventions and meetings. These events address new products, operational procedures, training, and promotional strategies. Attendance by the Operating Principal is mandatory unless otherwise approved.

Territory Protection

Barrel House offers a defined Protected Territory to its franchisees, typically a one-mile radius in metropolitan areas or a three-mile radius in less populated regions. Within this area, and as long as the franchisee complies with the agreement, the franchisor will not establish or franchise another Barrel House restaurant.

This protected status is maintained throughout the term of the agreement and is not tied to sales performance or other business metrics. However, this protection is not absolute.

The franchisor retains the right to operate or authorize operations at “Captive Market Locations” such as airports, hospitals, campuses, and other venues even within the Protected Territory.