Barrel House
Barrel House is a privately held, founder-owned casual-dining and sports-bar operator founded in 2011 in Iowa, running 7+ corporate and franchise locations across Iowa, Illinois, and Texas with dine-in, carryout, delivery, catering, and a franchise program built on a proprietary mobile ordering platform.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersDavenport, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Barrel House does
Barrel House is a privately held, founder-owned casual-dining and sports-bar operator founded in 2011 by Jimmy Holt in Davenport, Iowa, where it began as a 900-square-foot neighborhood bar. The company has grown to 7+ locations across Iowa, Illinois, and Texas, with additional Iowa locations (Redhawk/North Liberty, Des Moines East Village) and a planned Richmond, Virginia unit for Summer 2026, generating revenue from dine-in service, carryout, delivery, catering, and a franchise program launched in Fall 2021 that charges a $40,000 initial fee with total unit investment of $398,000-$998,000.
The operating model is built on a hybrid corporate-plus-franchise structure: six corporately owned locations in Iowa plus a Texas corporate store anchor the brand, while a single franchise location (Bloomington, IL, operated by Tentac Enterprises) and a pipeline of prospects across Missouri, Tennessee, and additional states are intended to drive scaled growth. The technology stack is built around a proprietary iOS/Android mobile app rated 4.6 stars on the App Store, an Incentivio-powered online ordering platform, integrated POS and inventory systems, connected kitchen display and waitstaff handhelds, and a DoorDash delivery-only partnership — a stack the company credits with roughly $120K in annual third-party-delivery cost avoidance.
Barrel House monetizes through per-ticket menu sales (e.g., Barrel House Fish & Chips at $14), full-service bar revenue including a proprietary craft beer (Island Time Wheat), catering and event services with a 48-hour lead time, franchise initial fees and ongoing royalties, and an app-based loyalty rewards program that supports targeted push marketing. The company is led by Holt as CEO alongside a Director of Franchise Sales & Marketing, a District Manager, and a Restaurant Success Manager, with location-level General Managers, and has been recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in two consecutive years (2023, 2024).
Barrel House firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Barrel House
- Legal name
- Barrel House
- Website
- https://barrelhousepub.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Barrel House is a privately held, founder-owned casual-dining and sports-bar operator founded in 2011 in Iowa, running 7+ corporate and franchise locations across Iowa, Illinois, and Texas with dine-in, carryout, delivery, catering, and a franchise program built on a proprietary mobile ordering platform.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Barrel House industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Casual Dining Restaurants
- NAICS
- Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Pubs & Gastropubs (CRANACAB)
Keywords
Where Barrel House is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Davenport
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices9 records
Markets served
Barrel House business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Dine-In Restaurant Sales: Traditional dine-in restaurant revenue from food and beverages consumed on premises. Full-service bar with craft beers, cocktails, wine, and seltzers.
- Carryout and Delivery: Off-premises dining including carryout orders placed through app, online ordering platform, and delivery partnerships. After removing 3rd party delivery sites to reduce costs, partnered with DoorDash for delivery-only services.
- Catering and Events: Full event and catering services for private events, graduation parties, and gatherings. Minimum 48-hour notice preferred for catering orders.
- Franchise Fees: Initial franchise fee of $40,000 plus total investment range of $398,000-$998,000 for new franchisees. Ongoing royalty and advertising fees support corporate operations.
- Loyalty Program and App: Barrel House app with automated rewards for visits. Generates customer data for targeted marketing and re-engagement campaigns.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Menu pricing for dine-in and carryout items |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Franchise initial investment |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Barrel House product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Barrel House operates a multi-location upscale tavern and sports bar concept serving scratch-made comfort food (burgers, appetizers, wraps, salads, pizzas, desserts), a full bar with craft beers, cocktails, wine, and seltzers, plus the proprietary Island Time Wheat beer. The brand operates dine-in, carryout, delivery, catering, and event services, and licenses its concept through a franchise program for multi-state expansion.
Product overview
Barrel House is an upscale tavern and sports bar franchise operating multiple locations across Iowa, Illinois, and Texas. The company offers a unified hospitality platform combining dine-in restaurant service, proprietary mobile and web ordering technology (Barrel House App and Incentivio-powered online ordering), full bar service with house-crafted beer (Island Time Wheat), and catering/event capabilities. The franchise program extends the brand through turnkey restaurant openings with comprehensive operational support. A loyalty/rewards program integrated into the mobile app drives customer retention. The product portfolio centers on food that lifts spirits through burgers, appetizers, wraps, and comfort food, complemented by craft beer and cocktails.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Barrel House Mobile App Proprietary mobile application for iOS and Android providing online ordering, delivery, carryout, rewards/loyalty program, and push notifications for exclusive promotions. Rated 4.6 stars on the App Store.
- Online Ordering Platform Web-based ordering system powered by Incentivio, enabling customers to order online for pickup and delivery across all Barrel House locations, with location-specific menus and gift card purchasing.
- Island Time Wheat Craft Beer Barrel House's proprietary craft beer - a light, smooth wheat beer with mango and pineapple flavor notes, finished with milk lactose for sweetness. Available exclusively on tap at all Barrel House locations.
- Barrel House Franchise Program Franchise opportunity offering turnkey restaurant operations with initial franchise fee of $40,000 and total investment range of $398,000-$998,000. Includes site selection, buildout, training, technology systems, marketing support, and ongoing operational assistance through the We Care Culture framework.
- Catering & Event Services Full-service catering and event space rental for graduation parties and other events. Provides food delivery to customer locations or uses Barrel House event spaces with laid-back yet stylish atmosphere. Requires 48-hour advance notice for orders.
- Barrel House Rewards Program Loyalty program integrated into the Barrel House app, offering automated rewards for visits. Tracks guest purchase patterns and enables targeted marketing campaigns and push notifications for special offers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Patio dining can boost restaurant revenue up to 30%
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Barrel House
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Barrel House technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature4 records
Barrel House partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Tentac EnterprisescoreFirst franchise partner in Illinois operating the Bloomington Barrel House location. Tentac Enterprises is the parent company of over 20 businesses across Central Illinois ranging from insurance to hospitality to marketing. This was their first foray into franchising. Barrel House provided marketing tools, technology, and a restaurant concept along with full training and support during the 9-month buildout process.
- DoorDashcoreDelivery-only partnership enabling food delivery to customers. This partnership replaced 3rd party delivery platforms to reduce margin costs. DoorDash handles delivery logistics while Barrel House manages food quality and preparation.
- GLD Commercial Real EstateminorCommercial real estate partner assisting with property acquisition and development for new Barrel House locations. Collaborated on the Redhawk (North Liberty, IA) location development.
- Local Brewery PartnerminorLocal brewery near corporate offices that collaborated to create Barrel House's signature Island Time Wheat beer. The partnership resulted in a custom craft beer exclusive to Barrel House locations.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Barrel House competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Chili's Grill & Bar: Large national casual dining bar and grill chain with burgers, Tex-Mex, and a strong bar program. Comparable to Barrel House on full-service bar and grill format, comfort food menu, and franchise footprint.
- Yard House: Upscale casual sports bar chain with an extensive craft beer on tap program and American gastropub menu. Comparable to Barrel House on upscale tavern positioning, broad craft beer selection, and bar-led dining experience.
- Applebee's: Iconic casual dining bar and grill chain with broad menu, full bar, and heavy franchise footprint. Comparable to Barrel House on family-friendly tavern format, sports/casual atmosphere, and franchise unit economics. Nathan Miller (Downtown Davenport GM) previously spent 17 years at Applebee's, reinforcing direct labor-pool overlap.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: National sports bar and casual dining chain serving wings, burgers, beer, and cocktails with a strong franchise model. Most directly comparable to Barrel House on positioning, franchising, and bar-centric atmosphere.
Regional players
- HopCat: Midwest-based craft beer bar and casual restaurant chain with a curated tap list and elevated bar food. Comparable to Barrel House on Midwest origin, craft beer focus, and family-friendly tavern atmosphere.
Direct peers
- Twin Peaks Restaurant: Sports-bar franchise chain serving American comfort food alongside a full bar with craft beer, cocktails, and televised sports. Closely aligned with Barrel House on sports bar positioning, scratch-made comfort food, bar-forward menu, and franchise expansion model.
- Wings Etc. Midwest-based sports bar franchise serving wings, burgers, and a wide craft beer selection with active franchise expansion. Highly comparable to Barrel House on Midwest roots, sports bar format, casual American menu, and franchise unit development.
- Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom: Casual dining franchise combining pizza, taproom experience, and a wide craft beer selection. Comparable to Barrel House on pizza on the menu, craft beer focus, casual dining atmosphere, and franchise growth model.
- BJs Restaurant Brewhouse: Casual dining and brewhouse chain combining scratch-made food with house-brewed craft beer on tap. Comparable to Barrel House on bar-centric dining, craft beer focus, and proprietary in-house beverages (Barrel House's Island Time Wheat parallels BJ's handcrafted beer).
- Beef O'Brady's: Family-friendly sports pub franchise with neighborhood tavern atmosphere, full bar, and American comfort food. Comparable to Barrel House on franchise structure, family-and-sports positioning, and casual gathering format.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Barrel House social profiles
Digital presenceBarrel House financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Barrel House leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Barrel House funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Barrel House M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Barrel House
What does Barrel House do?
Barrel House operates a multi-location upscale tavern and sports bar concept serving scratch-made comfort food (burgers, appetizers, wraps, salads, pizzas, desserts), a full bar with craft beers, cocktails, wine, and seltzers, plus the proprietary Island Time Wheat beer. The brand operates dine-in, carryout, delivery, catering, and event services, and licenses its concept through a franchise program for multi-state expansion.
Is Barrel House a public or private company?
Barrel House is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Barrel House founded?
Barrel House was founded in 2011. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Barrel House based?
Barrel House is headquartered in Davenport, United States, in the North America region.
How does Barrel House make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Dine-In Restaurant Sales are the primary driver. The others are carryout and Delivery, catering and Events, franchise Fees and loyalty Program and App.
Who are Barrel House's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Chili's Grill & Bar, Yard House, Applebee's and Buffalo Wild Wings. HopCat is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are Twin Peaks Restaurant, Wings Etc., Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom, BJs Restaurant Brewhouse and Beef O'Brady's.
Does Barrel House have an API?
No public API is recorded for Barrel House.
What industry is Barrel House in?
Barrel House's product category is Casual Dining Restaurants. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRANACAB, Pubs & Gastropubs. Its NAICS code is 7224.