Family’s Healthcare Background Translates to Passion and Compassion as The Brass Tap Franchisees

Rikesh Patel, his cousin Krupa Bhatti and her husband, Michael Bhatti, are all going into franchising together with The Brass Tap*, the brew pub franchise. 

The three family members have all had careers in healthcare, with Patel working as a registered nurse for 12 years and Krupa and Michael working in radiology. They believe their predisposition for compassion that drew them to the healthcare industry will now help them find success in their new role as business owners with The Brass Tap.

“We are compassionate people, and this will show through in our new business. The amount of love we will put into our business will be 10 times more because of our mindset and our background,” said Krupa.

The three look forward to selling local craft beers and supporting members of their community, while also offering families in their neighborhood a great atmosphere and good food. Their first location is expected to open in Euless, Texas, in May, and Forney, Texas, in 2025. There are a total of six locations on the horizon for these entrepreneurs.

The Bhattis have previous experience in franchising with a Montessori school concept, which they recently sold when Michael came across The Brass Tap and decided the opportunity better suited their needs. The three also have many family members who are involved in the world of franchising, primarily with hotels, so they are familiar with the support a franchisor can offer. 

1851 Franchise spoke with Patel and Krupa Bhatti about their journey into franchising and their plans for the future.

PROFILE QUESTIONS

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Patel: I am currently a registered nurse and have been doing this for about 12 years now. I wanted to get into franchising mainly because I wanted to work for myself. With franchising, I can get into business with the help of a company that provides guidance along the way. With what I've learned as a nurse, even though it is a different industry, I’ve learned to follow procedures and keep track of inventory, and I feel that I've been prepared for business ownership. 

Bhatti: Both my husband and I are in healthcare, specifically in radiology. He does CT scans. We did that for about 10 years before becoming business owners with a Montessori school franchise. We recently sold that business and decided to start franchising with The Brass Tap.

We have a very large family that is very involved in business ownership, but they do a lot of the hotels and motels, with most of our family involved with franchises. Because of this, we are very familiar with the backbone of the franchise support versus independent business ownership. My husband found The Brass Tap and did all the research, and we are really excited about the brand.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Patel: I can only speak to The Brass Tap, not all franchises, but my perception was that I wouldn’t have independence and wouldn’t be able to implement my own ideas. After meeting The Brass Tap team members, I realized that I have a lot of independence and opportunities for collaboration. They take my ideas into consideration. It offers more flexibility than I imagined. Each location has different processes depending on what is most effective.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Patel: The family aspect of the brand is something I really like. It is a friendly environment for all ages, and multiple generations can spend time there. There is a lot of effort put into keeping it clean and making it a nice environment that is welcoming to everyone.

Bhatti: We love that it has an upscale feel to it but that it is very local, because people don’t want to have to leave their neighborhood to have a nice time. The food's really good, so you're getting more than just a craft beer. You're getting the atmosphere, the proximity to home and a nice place to go for lunch or to just hang out.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Patel: We hope it becomes a popular spot for people to stop by any time of day. We look forward to selling local beer and creating a nice local community where we are supporting other business owners in our area. Currently, we are projected for six locations. 

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Bhatti: Our story is unique in the sense that the three of us are family, but also we all come from a background in healthcare. I think this shows that we are compassionate people, and this will show through in our new business. The amount of love we will put into our business will be 10 times more because of our mindset and our background.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Patel: Do it! Work hard and have a plan, make sure you stick to that plan and don’t falter along the way. You have to be responsible and have discipline to achieve your goals, but anybody can do it.

Bhatti: It is a leap of faith, but don’t be afraid to take the risk.

ABOUT THE BRASS TAP

Founded by Jeff Martin in Tampa, Florida in 2008, The Brass Tap is an upscale craft beer bar with 60 taps and 200 varieties of local, national and international beers. The restaurant also features craft cocktails, a premium selection of wines and a food menu designed around community and sharing. The Brass Tap has a unique vibe that is upbeat, high energy and casual all at the same time. You will also find live music, social events, high-definition televisions to view all the sporting action, as well as an open-air patio. With more than 35 locations currently open and 50 in development, The Brass Tap is positioned to quadruple in size in the Southeast and beyond. In June 2012, FSC Franchise Co. LLC acquired the rights to franchise The Brass Tap. For more info, visit www.thebrasstap.com.