City Brew Tours Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

City Brew Tours offers guided brewery experiences in cities nationwide, showcasing local breweries and craft beers.

City Brew Tours is a premier craft brewery tour franchise founded in 2008 in Burlington, Vermont, by Chad Brodsky, a college student who turned a passion for beer into a thriving business.

Now headquartered in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, the company has expanded into a national brand with operations in over 22 cities across the U.S. and Canada. Franchising began in 2018, offering entrepreneurs the chance to own a business centered around immersive craft beer experiences.

City Brew Tours provides guided beer tastings, private and public brewery tours, and corporate events featuring curated food pairings. These all-inclusive experiences include transportation, behind-the-scenes brewery access, and expert narration.

The brand stands out by delivering both education and entertainment in a safe, curated setting.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee (includes Starter Kit) $38,000.00
Passenger vehicle for 15 people $8,000.00 - $12,000.00
Vehicle Brand Graphics $1,500.00 - $2,000.00
Grand Opening Marketing Campaign $7,500.00
Initial training Program – Travel, meals and board $500.00 - $2,000.00
Commercial Automobile Insurance – Auto $2,500.00 - $10,000.00
Tour Operator Liability Insurance or General Liability Insurance $1,200.00 - $3,500.00
Computer Hardware and Software $500.00 - $1,500.00
Professional Services $3,000.00 - $8,000.00
Miscellaneous Costs and Expense $2,000.00
Table, chair, printer and filing cabinet $1,000.00 - $2,000.00
Safety Equipment $500.00 - $1,000.00
Additional Funds (6 months) $10,000.00
TOTAL INITIAL INVESTMENT $76,200.00 - $99,500.00

Franchise Disclosure Document

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Training

City Brew Tours provides a detailed and hands-on training program to ensure franchisees are well-prepared to operate their business. This training is mandatory and must be completed to the franchisor’s satisfaction before launch.

  1. Initial Training Program
    City Brew Tours offers up to 80 hours of initial training: approximately 40 hours of on-site training either at a corporate location or in the franchisee’s territory, and 40 hours of remote training and support. This training is designed for up to two individuals, and the franchisor covers expenses if training is held in the franchisee’s territory.
  2. Training for New Managers
    Any new or replacement managers must complete the franchisor’s training program within a specified period. This typically occurs at a corporate City Brew Tours location, and failure to complete the training may lead to managerial restrictions.
  3. Refresher and Additional Training
    If operational issues arise or upon request, franchisees may be required to attend additional training. These sessions are billed per day and help ensure compliance with the latest standards.
  4. Ongoing Training Support
    Continuous training is available throughout the franchise relationship, helping franchisees stay updated on operational practices and customer service standards. This includes setup assistance, call center integration, and access to support materials.

Territory Protection

City Brew Tours provides franchisees with an “Authorized Territory that spans a 25-mile radius from a center point approved by the franchisor. While this territory is designated for the franchisee's operations, it is not considered exclusive. If this territory overlaps with existing franchisees or corporate-owned businesses, the new franchisee is not permitted to operate in that overlap area.

During the term of the agreement, and provided the franchisee remains in good standing, City Brew Tours will not authorize or operate another franchised business under its marks within the Authorized Territory.

However, the franchisor reserves the right to market, sell, or distribute its services through other channels such as the internet or digital applications—even within the same area. The franchisee is granted the exclusive right to pick up and drop off customers within their Authorized Territory, excluding any overlap areas.

Number of units

2023
Franchised units

1

4

4

Company-owned units

9

10

12

Total units

10

14

16

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