Brewery

Startup Costs: $100,000 +
Franchises Available? Yes
Online Operation? No

Ask the Expert: George Esquivel, Co-founder and marketing lead of Four Corners Brewing Co.

Four Corners is in the beverage and hospitality industry, specifically the craft beer segment. Craft breweries are known for their innovation and development of new products that are unique and personalized to fit a specific brand. The popularity surrounding craft breweries has risen over the last two decades, and today there are over 8,000 craft breweries in the U.S. In addition, Four Corners welcomes guests to its Taproom where the brand experience comes to life through their brews, food and vibe.

Is the brewery industry growing?

The industry is constantly growing throughout the country, especially in Dallas-Fort Worth, where our brewery is located. North Texas is home to nearly 100 breweries, and it continues to rise every year.

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What are the current trends in the brewery business and what type of person is a great fit to try this?

One of the biggest trends currently is the demographic of beer drinkers. It is no longer primarily male-dominated. Breweries across the country are starting to see the typical beer drinker audience is becoming more ethnically diverse and female.

Like many industries, breweries took a hit during the pandemic, but most are up and running again. People are excited to be back inside taprooms, creating more traffic for breweries. Four Corners has also seen an uptick in incorporating different drinks into a brewery's arsenal, including seltzers, hard kombuchas and more.

The brewing industry is fit for anyone. The co-founders began this journey as a hobby because they loved beer and wanted to try and create their own. After many years, they had a special product they wanted to share with others. Anyone with a passion for what they do can be successful in their chosen industry.

How much money can a person expect to make in the first year and in five years?

This is very difficult to say because there are too many variables that can affect the answer. Having a strong business assessment and plan before diving into any business is critical for success. In retail, craft beer is expected to grow at a single-digit pace. However, strong breweries with a compelling product and marketing proposition can grow at double digits.

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What kind of experience/training do you need to have?

This differs depending on which position you hold in the company. Esquivel spent many years focused on Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) with a focus on U.S. Hispanic marketing. Now he focuses on product development, marketing strategy and design.

However, there are many stories about entrepreneurs and business people with little to no experience in their chosen field. So even if you don’t have experience/training, you can still be successful if you are passionate about your vision.

What do you wish you knew when you were just starting out?

There are many more stakeholders that can drive or hinder your success. All need attention, but It’s important to focus effort where needed most.

Who are your customers?

Four Corners’ customers are mainly located in the Dallas Metroplex. The company distributes its products throughout Texas. A few things Four Corners’ customers have in common are a love of craft beer, having a good time and a desire to be a part of a diverse community.

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Are there any resources you recommend that were extremely valuable to get your business off the ground?

Be sure to talk to other brewers to gain insight and perspective on lessons learned. If you bring them samples of beer and food, they’ll likely answer any questions you might have.