MIDDLETOWN, Del. — The Brass Tap, the award-winning upscale American tavern franchise with more than 50 locations nationwide, is expanding into Delaware for the first time with a newly signed franchise agreement in Middletown. The new location, led by franchisee Ashil Patel, is planned for Bayberry Town Center at 235 Town Center Drive, pending completion of lease negotiations. The restaurant will bring the brand's signature craft beer selection, specialty cocktails, elevated dining menu and entertainment experience to the growing northern Delaware community.

Patel is transitioning into hospitality and restaurant ownership after nearly three years in the corporate pharmaceutical industry.

"I come from a family of hard workers, pharmacists and business owners, and I've always been inspired by my father, who took a risk, left his corporate job and moved to Delaware to build a business of his own," Patel said. "Even though I earned my Doctor of Pharmacy degree and worked in corporate pharma, I knew I wanted to pursue something entrepreneurial. The Brass Tap gives me the opportunity to build a family-owned gathering spot for the Middletown community with good food, good drinks and good vibes."

He decided to join The Brass Tap after visiting a close family friend who owns a location in Marietta, Georgia, and speaking with several other franchisees across the country.

"The Brass Tap offered the security and platform of a corporate team guiding us every step of the way, which was critical since we didn't have prior experience in the bar space," Patel said.

The planned Middletown restaurant will feature The Brass Tap's extensive selection of local and regional craft beers, specialty cocktails and premium wines, along with its chef-inspired menu. Patel, who currently lives in Pennsylvania and plans to relocate to Middletown, is especially focused on creating a welcoming environment for guests and employees alike.

"You have to treat your bartenders, servers and kitchen crew like family and equals, because without them working alongside you, the doors simply don't open," Patel said. "I want to create a place where our staff feels supported and where every customer receives full value for their hard-earned money. Whether it's a family night, a football watch party or a local community event, I want people to know they can come to The Brass Tap and have a great experience."

The Middletown signing marks an important milestone in The Brass Tap's national expansion, introducing its neighborhood-focused tavern concept to Delaware for the first time. With more than 50 locations nationwide, The Brass Tap continues to attract entrepreneurs seeking a differentiated restaurant-and-entertainment franchise backed by an experienced support team. The Brass Tap is part of FSC Franchise Co., a restaurant franchise group that also includes Beef 'O' Brady's and Newk's Eatery.

"The Brass Tap is built around creating places where people can come together, and Ashil's vision for Middletown aligns perfectly with that mission," said Chris Elliott, CEO of FSC Franchise Co. "His passion for hospitality, commitment to the local community and entrepreneurial drive make him a strong partner as we introduce The Brass Tap to Delaware. We're excited to support him as he brings our craft beer, dining and entertainment experience to a new market."

The Middletown location is currently in the lease negotiation stage, with an opening timeline to be announced as development progresses.

ABOUT FSC FRANCHISE CO.

Founded in Tampa, Florida, FSC Franchise Co. is a leading multi-brand franchisor driving growth and innovation across three dynamic restaurant concepts — Beef 'O' Brady's, The Brass Tap and Newk's Eatery. With more than 250 locations nationwide, FSC brings together decades of expertise in hospitality, franchising and community engagement under one unified platform. Beef 'O' Brady's, with 120-plus family sports pub locations, serves up classic comfort food and community spirit in a neighborhood-friendly setting. The Brass Tap is a 50-plus-unit craft beer bar and entertainment venue that offers an extensive menu of drinks and food in a vibrant atmosphere. Newk's Eatery, a 100-unit fast-casual brand founded in Jackson, Mississippi, brings fresh, handcrafted food to guests with a focus on quality ingredients, digital convenience and hospitality. Together, FSC's brands are redefining what it means to grow a scalable, community-driven restaurant portfolio — offering franchisees the opportunity to diversify within a powerful ecosystem of proven concepts. To learn more, visit: https://www.fscfranchiseco.com/.

ABOUT THE BRASS TAP

The Brass Tap is a Tampa-based American tavern and entertainment venue known for its extensive local and regional brewery offerings, specialty cocktails and premium wines paired perfectly with a select menu of upscale shareables. Every location provides a unique space for social gatherings and entertainment, with an unparalleled atmosphere created through live music, trivia, sports, exclusive beer tastings and tap takeovers. For more than 10 years, The Brass Tap has offered franchise opportunities to qualified operators, continuing to grow its family of 50+ bars in 16 states. For more information, visit http://thebrasstapfranchise.com/.