If you’re looking for a Chicago franchise restaurant opportunity, there’s lots to consider. From competition from other franchise owners to the unique selling points that can make your franchise a success, you want to make the right choice. Barrel House is here to help! In this post we’ll explore some of the top considerations before choosing a franchise, and why Barrel House presents an amazing Chicago franchise opportunity

Chicago Franchises Reflect the Heart of the Windy City


Chicago is a booming town. The third most populous city in the U.S., Chicago is home to more than 2.7 million people and welcomes an additional 58 million tourists each year. That’s a lot of hungry mouths to feed! It’s no surprise that Chicago is a food-lover’s dream. From deep-dish pizza to the Chicago-style hot dog, the city has left its mark on many popular cuisines.

Chicagoans love their food. Chicagoland is home to 18 of the top 100 highest-grossing restaurants in the country. But it’s not all Michelin-starred eateries (although there are 24 of them!). The people of Chicago love hearty home cooking most of all. Pizzas, hot dogs, and burgers are where it’s at in the Windy City.

Barrel House upscale tavern franchises are right at home in Chicago, where the average resident spends 35.5% of their annual food budget on dining out. Our cozy atmosphere and great service make Barrel House Chicago franchise locations a great place to stop and grab a bite.

What to Look for in Chicago Franchise Opportunities

When you’re looking for the right franchise opportunities in Chicago, there are four key factors you should consider.

  • The competition
  • The business model
  • The unique selling proposition
  • The potential

In a city like Chicago, inhabitants can take their pick from the world’s cuisines. But when they just want to enjoy a tasty, well-cooked burger in a down-home atmosphere, where’s the best place to go? Barrel House upscale tavern franchises offer all the comfort of the Midwest in the heart of the big city.

Our business model is all about delighting our customers by giving them what they want most. The Barrel House menu satisfies a number of top trends in the restaurant industry. Our scratch-made, specialty burgers pack a punch of flavor and excitement. We’ve also added a modern twist, including plant-based and gluten-free options to cater to a diverse range of diets and palates.

We don’t stop with our menu either. Guests can relax with our signature and seasonal cocktails. We’ve reinvented old classics and paired them with something different to enjoy all year round.

Finally, we serve everything with a big helping of our We Care Culture™. Our culture underpins everything we do and ensures we offer our guests a truly welcoming experience. It’s our commitment to focus on attentiveness, graciousness, and responsiveness, and to make every guest feel at home at each Barrel House location.

A Chicago Franchise with a Small Town Feel

It’s easy to feel lost in the big city. But at Barrel House, everyone’s a friend. When our founder, Jimmy Holt, decided to franchise the Barrel House brand, he did so with a clear vision of what each location could offer. Forget impersonal corporate counters and self-service kiosks. Barrel House serves delicious, scratch-made food in an inviting upscale tavern atmosphere.

We also offer franchisees the opportunity to make their Barrel House location their own. We’ve partnered with local breweries to offer guests something unique, and our daily specials and seasonal offerings keep a finger on the pulse of local tastes.

Our broad range of daily specials cater to a wide variety of customers and keep them coming back. We’re making Barrel House the place to go for a quick bite with family, a get-together with coworkers, or the start of a great night out on the town.

Enjoy Diverse Revenue Streams in One Chicago Franchise

Barrel House upscale taverns are inspired by a long history of hospitality and innkeeping, but we’re not stuck in the past. Our diversified business model includes potential for multiple revenue streams in an effort to put our franchisees in the best possible position to make their location a success.

As well as offering dine-in lunch, dinner, and late-night service with a full bar and customizable food menu, we also cater to off-premises dining. Guests can enjoy carryout, delivery, catering, and special events booking at each Barrel House location.

We’ve designed adaptable floor plans that utilize available space to offer multiple dining experiences in a single location. Families enjoy the service in our dining areas, while those seeking a more relaxed atmosphere can unwind on the patio or at the bar.

Barrel House Franchises for Sale in Chicago

Barrel House got its start in Iowa in 2011. Since then, we’ve expanded across the Hawkeye state, and are now looking for ambitious new franchisees in Chicago and beyond. From day one, our motto has been to make our guests feel at home and give them a hearty Midwestern welcome. As the Midwest’s leading city, Chicago needs Barrel House!

We want visionaries with the knowledge and passion to steer Barrel House on the right path as we launch in Illinois. If you think this could be the right opportunity for you, get in touch today to learn more about opening a Barrel House Chicago franchise.