Rising corporate executive at the Ellison Group, Frank Macklin, sits beside his co-worker, Dick Ebersol, as their boss, Ellison, discusses the company’s recent acquisition of four breweries, including Star Brewery in Dubuque, Iowa. Ellison purchased the plant from Charlie Pickett, and is going to rename it “Pickett Brewery.” Ellison appoints Frank to oversee the transition, and demands a fifty percent production increase within four weeks. Later, Frank complains to Dick that Dubuque is his hometown and he does not want to return to his former employer as a corporate autocrat. However, Dick insists the job is a test, and if Frank succeeds, he will be promoted to Ellison Group’s senior vice president. Frank kisses his girl friend, Madelyn, goodbye and drives to Iowa. As he nears Dubuque, Frank unsuccessfully attempts to pass two Star Brewery employees in an old, slow-moving car. When the men challenge Frank to a fight, he recognizes his former high school friends, Ray Binkowski and Harry Meade. They invite him to Mooney’s bar that night, but Frank insists he has to work, and agrees to meet them Saturday. Later, at the brewery, Charlie Pickett is surprised that Frank is Ellison’s field executive, and complains that he does not want take orders from a “kid” who once worked for him. Frank ignores Charlie and addresses the management team. He demands immediate installment of the new Ellison equipment, and wants everyone prepared for a major production increase. On the factory floor, the workers learn the company has been taken over. When Ray and Harry see their childhood friend with Charlie, they are ignored by Frank. At Mooney’s bar on Saturday night, Frank apologizes, but Harry realizes Frank has an image to protect and is certain Frank will take care of his friends. Harry asks Frank to attend the upcoming company picnic, but Frank again claims he must work. He asks about his high school girl friend, J. M. Halstead, and learns she has returned to town to be a social worker. Frank surprises J. M. at her office and they go bowling. She wonders how many employees will be fired, but Frank insists few people will lose their jobs, and the new method of business will create more work. The next morning, Ray and Harry force Frank to attend the company picnic, and Ray insists that Frank drive his monster truck, “Bigfoot,” in a race. Frank wins the wild race, which ends in a mud pit. Frank pulls J. M. into the mud for a kiss. She takes him to her home, and declares she does not want a commitment before they make love. Later, at the brewery, workers are reassigned duties and the new equipment begins production. Ray, who had been a bottler, refuses to follow orders and transition into the racking department. When Ray argues with the supervisor, Harry calms his friend and leads him away. After several workers complain to Harry, he approaches Frank, who insists that when a plant is automated, employees must be redistributed. Their argument escalates until Frank punches Harry and demands he return to work. Later, Charlie suggests that Frank fire the angry workers, but Frank ignores the advice. Meanwhile, at Ellison headquarters, Dick Ebersol shows a commercial for Pickett’s beer to Ellison and a rich Texan named “Hooker,” who is a potential buyer for the breweries. At Harry’s home, he confesses to his wife that he wants to quit his job, but feels he cannot do anything else. Later, Frank learns that Harry and Ray are not at work, and finds his friends getting drunk outside Ray’s trailer. Frank joins them, arguing that he is building a great brewery and a better future for them. Harry and Ray dismiss their friend, but return to work. Later, Dick telephones Frank to congratulate him on the high increase in production, and reveals he is bringing a buyer to inspect the plant. Frank is stunned to learn Ellison plans to sell the brewery for a huge profit. Furious, Frank rushes to his office and alters the list of job transfers and terminations. Next, he orders the plant manager to drastically slow production. After work, Ray and Harry take Frank to Mooney’s, where everyone thanks him for slowing the production line. Frank worries about Ellison’s reaction, but Harry insists every man in the bar would work hard for Frank. J. M. is also supportive and later makes love to Frank. Meanwhile, Charlie worries that Frank’s actions will affect his deal to run the company after Frank leaves, and he alerts Ellison. Dick is sent to Dubuque to warn Frank that he will be fired unless he gets production back to full speed in two days. J. M. takes Frank to an abandoned factory which used to produce specialty beers, and suggests that they get it working again. Frank is hesitant, but J. M. agrees to work with him, and they call a meeting of the brewery employees. Frank outlines his plan and admits it is risky, but claims it is a chance to build their own future. They must raise $100,000 and Ray is the first to offer the pink slip to his truck, “Bigfoot.” By the next morning, they have raised $27,000. Frank returns to his motel room to find his girl friend, Madelyn, waiting. Moments later, J. M. arrives and is stunned to find Frank and Madelyn taking a shower together. Meanwhile, as Madelyn keeps Frank away from the brewery, Charlie calls a meeting and threatens the workers. Later, at the abandoned brewery, Frank apologizes to J. M., claiming Madelyn is just a friend, but J. M. refuses to listen. Just then, Harry arrives to announce that the others are not coming. Frank argues that Charlie’s threats are a ruse, but Harry admits that the workers’ lives revolve around regular paychecks. Frank declares he should have done his job and left town, without becoming involved with the employees. Now he has to fix the situation with Ellison. However, when Dick and Hooker arrive to inspect the plant, Frank leads a revolt. Workers sabotage the line and Ray sprays Hooker’s entourage with a beer hose. When Charlie learns that Ellison sold him out, he picks up a beer hose and joins the rebellion. Dick grabs an ax, smashes the power box, and the production line shuts down. Unaware of the ruckus, Ellison telephones Frank to offer him a promotion. Frank informs Ellison that he can take his job and “shove it.” As Dick and Hooker leave, Frank tells Hooker to call him about investing in a specialty brewery. Frank joins J. M., Ray, and Harry in the Bigfoot truck and they speed off, crashing through the guard shack, and destroying the time clock punch machine.