--- title: "The Pie Hole Franchise: Cost, FDD Analysis & Review" description: "Explore the The Pie Hole franchise. Investment: $332K-$1M. 18 locations. Grade: b. Financial performance disclosed. Coffee, Tea & Specialty Beverages." url: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/the-pie-hole" canonical: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/the-pie-hole" markdown_url: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/the-pie-hole.md" type: "FranchiseBrand" brand: "The Pie Hole" sector: "Fast Food & Fast Casual Restaurants" category: "Coffee, Tea & Specialty Beverages" investment_low: "331500" investment_high: "1039500" total_units: "9" grade: "B" operating_model: "Owner-Operator | Multi-Unit | Semi-Absentee" --- # The Pie Hole Franchise: Cost, FDD Analysis & Review Explore the The Pie Hole franchise. Investment: $332K-$1M. 18 locations. Grade: b. Financial performance disclosed. Coffee, Tea & Specialty Beverages. ## At a glance - **Brand:** The Pie Hole - **Sector:** Fast Food & Fast Casual Restaurants - **Category:** Coffee, Tea & Specialty Beverages - **Total initial investment:** $331,500 – $1,039,500 - **Total units (FDD Item 20):** 9 - **FranchiseGrade grade:** B - **Operating model:** Owner-Operator | Multi-Unit | Semi-Absentee - **States with locations:** CA, NC ## The Pie Hole — franchise facts ### What is the total initial investment required to open a The Pie Hole franchise? Total investment ranges from $331,500 to $1,039,500 depending on location, size, and specific build-out requirements. This covers franchise fee, real estate, equipment, initial inventory, and working capital needed to launch and operate the unit. ### What is the initial franchise fee for The Pie Hole, and what does it cover? The franchise fee is $35,000, a one-time payment for the right to use the brand, access to proprietary systems, and initial training and support. ### What ongoing fees, royalties, or required contributions do The Pie Hole franchisees pay? Franchisees pay a 6% royalty on gross sales and contribute 2% to the national advertising fund, plus 1% for local marketing. These ongoing fees support brand development, marketing, and continued operational support. ### What financial requirements must candidates meet to qualify for a The Pie Hole franchise? Franchisees should have liquid capital of approximately $100,000 to $300,000 and a net worth of $500,000 or more, depending on specific location and concept size. Lenders typically evaluate debt service capacity and restaurant industry experience when considering franchise financing. ### Are financing options or third-party funding programs available for The Pie Hole franchisees? Many franchisees explore SBA loans, traditional bank financing, or investor partnerships to fund their investment. The franchisor can provide information about preferred lenders familiar with their brand and restaurant franchising. ### What initial training does The Pie Hole provide to new franchise owners? The program includes 80 classroom hours and 422 hours of on-the-job training covering operations, food preparation, customer service, and management. Training takes place at headquarters and in-unit, ensuring franchisees are fully prepared before opening. ### What ongoing support and resources does The Pie Hole offer after opening? Ongoing support includes operational guidance, marketing assistance, supply chain management, and regular field visits from franchise support staff. Franchisees also gain access to peer networks and periodic continuing education to maintain quality standards. ### Does The Pie Hole assist with real estate and site selection for new locations? The franchisor provides guidance on site selection criteria, real estate negotiation, and lease review to ensure optimal location performance. Territory protection means franchisees have defined areas where additional brand locations won't compete with their unit. ### What does the day-to-day role of a franchise owner look like with The Pie Hole? Owner-operators typically oversee food quality, manage staff, handle customer relations, and ensure operational procedures are followed. The role involves hands-on involvement in day-to-day restaurant operations, inventory management, and quality control. ### Can The Pie Hole be operated as an owner-operator or semi-absentee franchise? While the business requires strong owner involvement in early stages, experienced operators can transition to semi-absentee with qualified management. However, initial ownership presence during launch and ongoing quality oversight remain important for success. ### What type of lifestyle and time commitment should owners expect with The Pie Hole? This franchise suits entrepreneurs who love food, hospitality, and community engagement and are willing to invest significant time building their business. It requires passion for quality, customer service, and operational details rather than passive income seeking. ### What territories or markets are currently available for The Pie Hole franchise ownership? The brand operates in California and North Carolina with 18 total units and 14 franchised locations. Territory availability depends on current development plans and specific market saturation in each state. ### Does The Pie Hole offer multi-unit ownership or expansion opportunities? Experienced franchisees who successfully develop their initial location may have opportunities to open additional units within their region. Multi-unit development requires demonstrated operational excellence and sufficient capital. ### Are area development or master franchise opportunities available with The Pie Hole? Area development agreements may be available for qualified candidates interested in developing multiple units across a defined territory over time. Terms are negotiated based on development capability and market opportunity. ### How does The Pie Hole approach unit-level profitability and financial performance? With reasonable ongoing fees (6% royalty plus 2% ad fund), quality-positioned food offering, and customer loyalty potential, units can achieve solid profitability. Unit economics depend on labor management, product mix, local competition, and operational efficiency. ### What sets The Pie Hole apart from competitors in its market segment? The artisan pie concept differentiates from traditional fast-casual competitors while specialty beverages create additional revenue streams. Strong unit growth trend and comprehensive training support operational excellence and brand consistency across locations. ## Research this brand - Full profile: https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/the-pie-hole - Compare it side by side: https://www.franchisegrade.com/compare - Check affordability against your capital: https://www.franchisegrade.com/affordability-calculator - Franchise terms used above: https://www.franchisegrade.com/tools/franchise-glossary --- *Source: [FranchiseGrade](https://www.franchisegrade.com) — independent, FDD-derived franchise research.* *Cite this page as: https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/the-pie-hole* *Training, indexing and quotation are permitted — please attribute and link to the source URL above. Full-text reproduction of the whole page is not. Licensing: privacy@franchisegrade.com*