Salsarita's Fresh Cantina vs Golden Corral Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Salsarita's Fresh Cantina vs Golden Corral including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Salsarita's Fresh Cantina Franchise
Golden Corral Franchise
Investment $283,150 - $563,900$2,700,795 - $7,037,915
Franchise Fee $30,000$50,000
Royalty Fee 5%4%
Advertising Fee 1% Nat'l 1.5% Local2.4%
Year Founded 19991973
Year Franchised 20001986
Term Of Agreement 10 years15 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years15 years
Renewal Fee 15% of then-current fee15 years (plus two, 5-year renewal options)


Business Experience Requirements

 
Salsarita's Fresh Cantina Franchise
Golden Corral Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • Restaurant experience helpful

  • Industry experience
  • (or must have partner with industry experience.)

  • Financing Options

     
    Salsarita's Fresh Cantina Franchise
    Golden Corral Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/No
    Receivables No/YesNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Salsarita's Fresh Cantina Franchise
    Golden Corral Franchise
    Training

    Training in Charlotte, NC at our "Burrito Bootcamp" for themselves and their manager. Salsarita's also helps you train your staff in the week prior to opening and running through the first full week of operation. We have Franchise Business Coaches available who can and will assist you in day-to-day operations and to make scheduled visits to your store.

    On-The-Job Training: 665 hours Classroom Training: 8.5 hours Additional Training: At company training location
    Support Newsletter, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertisingNational Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 20% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (50% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 80% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 100

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Salsarita's Fresh Cantina Franchise
    Golden Corral Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Salsarita's Fresh Cantina

    Founded in 2000, Salsarita's Fresh Cantina is one of the fastest-growing Mexican fast-casual Mexican restaurant chains, recognized for its people, food and world-class hospitality. Customers can create delicious made-to-order meals from a flavorful Mexican menu that offers burritos, tacos, quesadillas, nachos, tortilla-crusted pizzas and salads with a wide selection of meats, fresh vegetables and homemade salsas in lively, family-friendly environment. For general information, please visit www.salsaritas.com or call 704-540-9447. For franchising information, please visit http://www.salsaritasfranchising.com or call 866.61SALSA.

    About Golden Corral

    Golden Corral restaurants began as budget steakhouses located principally in small cities from Virginia to Texas. In the mid-1980s, guest requests prompted Golden Corral to reinvent itself by introducing the Buffet & Grill Metro unit that features 160 hot and cold items, a carving station, and the Brass Bell Bakery, which offers rolls, muffins, cookies, pies and pizza made from scratch. The buffet was expanded in 2001 to include cooked-to-order sirloin steaks.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a restaurant ranges from $2,700,795 to $5,340,215 for the less expensive restaurant design, and from $3,453,379 to $7,037,915 for the more expensive restaurant design. This amount includes $51,400 to $4,482,285 that must or may be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates.

    #90 in Franchise 500 for 2020.