How to Finance an Oggi’s Franchise: Pizza, Craft Beer and Sports
By Chris Cornella
An Oggi’s franchise loan funds a full-service restaurant that blends pizza, the brand’s own craft beers and wall-to-wall sports. Oggi’s Pizza & Brewing Co., now branded Oggi’s Sports | Brewhouse | Pizza, is a Southern California concept, and financing one means paying for a sizable dining room and bar, a pizza kitchen, draft systems and a liquor license.
This article explains what is publicly known about the brand, what its SBA Franchise Directory listing and note mean, which loan types fit a sports brewhouse and how to prepare a request a lender can approve.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Oggi’s; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures in the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to approval. Nothing in this article is legal, tax or investment advice; review the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and franchise agreement with a franchise attorney and an accountant before you sign.
Oggi’s Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: a family-friendly, full-service sports restaurant and brewhouse serving pizza and the brand’s proprietary craft beers.
- Formats: the full-service sports brewhouse, and in the past a fast-casual pizza and craft beer format.
- Footprint: roots in San Diego County, with locations in California and Arizona.
- Franchise fee, royalty and investment range: not verified from franchisor materials; see Items 5, 6 and 7 of the current FDD.
- Net worth and liquidity: ask the franchisor for its written minimums.
- SBA status: listed on the SBA Franchise Directory as Oggi’s (code S1214) with a note on the Lease Assignment Agreement.
What Is Oggi’s?
Oggi’s began as a single pizzeria and brewpub in Del Mar in San Diego County, started by two brothers who left technology careers to run their own business. Guests soon asked to open their own, and the company has been franchising for decades, growing largely by word of mouth.
The brand combines three ideas. Pizza is the core of the menu. The company’s own micro-brewed beers, many of them award winners, anchor the bar alongside guest beers. And sports run throughout the space, with televisions in the bar and dining areas and a history of partnerships with professional sports teams.
The company later updated its brand standards with a larger bar area and more focus on house and guest beers, adopting the “Sports | Brewhouse | Pizza” name. It has also tested a fast-casual format offering build-your-own pizza and craft beer. The company has said it is looking for area developers and multi-unit operators to grow in California, Arizona and neighboring states.
How lenders view it. Lenders see an Oggi’s as a full-service casual dining restaurant with a significant alcohol component. Positives include multiple revenue streams across food, beer and game-day traffic, plus a long operating history. Concerns include the higher investment of a full-service unit, labor intensity, liquor license transfer and the cost of large bars and draft systems. Strong restaurant management experience matters more here than in a counter-service concept.
Oggi’s Franchise Costs
Current fees and the investment range are disclosed in the Oggi’s FDD. We could not verify those figures from franchisor materials, so this section explains each cost category and how lenders treat it.
Initial franchise fee. Item 5 lists the fee and any development fees for multiple restaurants. Lenders treat it as an intangible cost funded from equity or folded into a larger SBA 7(a) loan.
Real estate and build-out. A sports brewhouse needs a large dining room, a prominent bar, restrooms, a full kitchen and often a patio. Second-generation restaurant spaces can reduce build-out costs; ground-up or heavy conversions cost more. Hoods, grease interceptors, fire suppression and accessibility upgrades are common line items.
Kitchen and bar equipment. Pizza ovens, dough mixers and prep tables, fryers and line equipment, walk-in coolers, a draft beer system with a temperature-controlled keg room, glass washers and ice machines form the core package.
Audio-visual and technology. Multiple large-screen televisions, satellite or streaming sports packages, sound systems and point-of-sale technology are central to the sports concept.
Liquor license. Full liquor or beer-and-wine licenses vary by state and city, and in some markets a license must be purchased from an existing holder. Ask the franchisor whether beer is brewed on site or supplied to restaurants, because that affects licensing and equipment.
Opening costs and working capital. Opening inventory of food and beer, smallwares, uniforms, training, pre-opening payroll for a large staff, marketing and the Item 7 “additional funds” line all require cash.
Item 7 checklist. Map your loan request to each line of the Item 7 table:
- Initial franchise fee
- Real estate purchase, or lease deposits and rent
- Leasehold improvements and architecture
- Kitchen, pizza and bar equipment
- Draft beer system and keg cooler
- Televisions, audio and technology
- Furniture, fixtures and signage
- Liquor license and permits
- Opening inventory and smallwares
- Training and pre-opening payroll
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Item 6 lists the royalty, any marketing fund contribution, technology fees and transfer and renewal fees. If restaurants buy the brand’s beer, its pricing works like an ongoing cost of goods. Sports programming subscriptions are another recurring cost unique to the concept.
The lender’s view. Lenders subtract royalties, food and beverage costs, labor, rent and programming fees from projected sales and check that the remainder covers debt service with a cushion. Full-service labor costs run higher than counter service, so realistic staffing plans matter.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
The franchisor sets its own net worth, liquidity and experience standards in its franchise materials and FDD. Given the full-service and alcohol components, restaurant or bar operating experience is valuable for both franchise approval and an Oggi’s franchise loan. Expect a qualification review, FDD delivery, discovery meetings, site approval and training.
Ways to Own an Oggi’s
A new restaurant. Building a new location takes the most capital and time. Lenders underwrite feasibility, projections and your experience. Learn about restaurant start-up financing.
Buying an existing restaurant. Operating Oggi’s restaurants, some with full liquor licenses, do come up for sale. A resale gives the lender actual sales and costs to review. See our article on buying a franchise resale.
Buying the real estate. Some buyers acquire the building as well, which can lower long-term occupancy costs. Explore restaurant real estate acquisition financing.
Area development. The company has sought multi-unit operators and area developers, which involves financing several restaurants over a development schedule.
Financing Options for an Oggi’s Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. With Oggi’s on the SBA Franchise Directory, an SBA 7(a) loan can combine build-out, equipment, the franchise fee, liquor license, inventory and working capital, subject to the directory note.
SBA 504 loans. When you buy or build the property, an SBA 504 loan can finance land, building and long-lived improvements.
Conventional term loans. Experienced restaurant groups may qualify for conventional business loans, especially for resales with strong history.
Equipment financing. Pizza ovens, draft systems, kitchen lines and televisions can be financed separately with the equipment as collateral. See restaurant equipment financing.
Working capital and lines of credit. Sports calendars create busy and slow stretches, and a line of credit helps with payroll and inventory between seasons. Explore restaurant working capital options.
Seller financing. On a resale, a seller may carry part of the price. Seller notes are typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA rules may limit their terms.
SBA Loans for Oggi’s Franchisees
SBA lenders confirm that a franchise brand appears on the SBA Franchise Directory and follow any notes attached to the listing.
The Oggi’s listing. The brand is listed as Oggi’s under code S1214. Its note says that when the real estate where the franchise business is located will secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, the Lease Assignment Agreement may not be executed.
In plain English. A Lease Assignment Agreement lets the franchisor take over a leased location if the franchise ends. If you lease from a landlord, you generally sign it as required. If you own the property and pledge it as collateral, it is not signed, so the franchisor’s rights do not conflict with the lender’s lien.
Program basics. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change. Larger projects that include real estate may pair an SBA 504 loan with a 7(a) loan. Test scenarios with our SBA loan calculator.
How Lenders Evaluate an Oggi’s Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Expect a review of credit reports, tax returns and a personal financial statement.
Net worth and liquidity. Full-service restaurants require meaningful equity and reserves.
Industry and management experience. Lenders want proven full-service or bar management. If you will not run the restaurant daily, identify your general manager and kitchen manager.
Business plan and projections. Separate food and alcohol sales, account for game-day peaks and off-season dips, and show labor by daypart.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review the term, renewal and transfer conditions in Item 17, any franchisor financing in Item 10 and whether Item 19 includes financial performance representations.
Site, lease and liquor license. Lenders review lease length, parking and visibility, and confirm that the liquor license can transfer or be issued on time.
For resales. Expect requests for several years of financial statements, sales reports and equipment condition.
Draft Systems, Kitchens and Screens
The beer program is central to the brand. Draft lines, a walk-in keg cooler, glycol systems and regular line cleaning all affect quality and cost. The pizza kitchen needs reliable ovens and dough equipment, and the sports experience depends on screens and sound that work on every big game. Financing these assets separately can preserve cash, but match terms to each asset’s useful life.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
An area development agreement sets an opening schedule across a territory. Lenders typically finance each restaurant as earlier ones stabilize, so a realistic schedule protects you from default under the development agreement. Our article on multi-unit franchise financing explains how lenders view growth.
Real-World Scenarios
A bar manager buys a resale. An experienced bar manager buys an operating Oggi’s with a liquor license, using an SBA 7(a) loan and a small seller note.
An owner-operator builds in a growing suburb. A restaurant operator leases a second-generation space and uses an SBA 7(a) loan for build-out, equipment and working capital, signing the Lease Assignment Agreement.
An investor buys the building. A buyer purchases the property with an SBA 504 loan and pledges it as collateral, so the Lease Assignment Agreement is not executed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Underestimating liquor license cost and timing.
- Projecting game-day sales every day.
- Overlooking sports programming and draft maintenance costs.
- Leaving too little working capital for a large opening staff.
- Signing a lease before the lender reviews it.
For more pitfalls, see our article on common restaurant loan mistakes.
Next Steps to Finance Your Oggi’s Franchise
Step 1: Request the FDD. Review Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17 and 19 with your attorney and accountant.
Step 2: Confirm requirements. Get net worth, liquidity and experience minimums in writing.
Step 3: Research licensing. Confirm liquor license availability, cost and timing in your market.
Step 4: Talk with a financing specialist. Structure real estate, equipment and working capital financing.
Step 5: Secure the site. Have your lender review the lease or purchase contract.
Step 6: Apply, close and open. Coordinate construction, licensing, hiring and training.
Oggi’s Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does an Oggi’s franchise cost?
The total estimated initial investment is in Item 7 of the current FDD. Site, size and whether you build or convert drive the total.
What are the franchise fee and royalty?
They appear in Items 5 and 6 of the FDD. We could not verify current figures from franchisor materials.
Is Oggi’s approved for SBA loans?
Yes. It is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory as Oggi’s under code S1214, with a note on the Lease Assignment Agreement.
Can an SBA loan include a liquor license?
A liquor license can often be part of the project cost, subject to lender and program rules.
Can I finance draft systems and ovens separately?
Yes. Equipment financing uses the equipment as collateral.
Can I buy an existing Oggi’s?
Yes, when one is for sale and the franchisor approves the transfer.
Can a first-time owner get an Oggi’s franchise loan?
It is harder for a full-service concept without restaurant experience. A strong management team helps.
Does Oggi’s offer financing?
Item 10 of the FDD describes any franchisor financing.
How long is the franchise agreement?
The term, renewal and transfer conditions are in Item 17. Lenders prefer the remaining term to exceed the loan term.
Final Thoughts
An Oggi’s franchise loan finances a full-service restaurant with three revenue engines: pizza, craft beer and sports. The SBA directory listing supports SBA 7(a) and 504 financing, and its lease note matters if you own the property. Plan carefully for the liquor license, draft systems and staffing, and the deal will be stronger.
US Professional Funding helps franchise and restaurant owners finance start-ups, acquisitions, real estate, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and restaurant financing programs.
