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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of The Taco Maker vs Lindy - Gertie's including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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Investment | $221,000 - $400,000 | $49,000 - And Up |
Franchise Fee | $19,000 - $29,000 | $9,500 |
Royalty Fee | 5% | - |
Advertising Fee | - | 2% |
Year Founded | 1978 | - |
Year Franchised | 1978 | - |
Term Of Agreement | 15 years | - |
Term Of Agreement | 15 years | - |
Renewal Fee | $5K | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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Experience | - | |
Financing Options |
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In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
Franchise Fees | No/Yes | -/- |
Start-up Costs | No/Yes | -/- |
Equipment | No/Yes | -/- |
Inventory | No/Yes | -/- |
Receivables | No/No | -/- |
Payroll | No/No | -/- |
Training & Support |
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Training | - | - |
Support | Newsletter, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives | - |
Marketing | Co-op advertising, National media | - |
Operations |
International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 30% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 35 Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators) | - |
Expansion Plans |
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US Expansion | - | - |
Canada Expansion | No | - |
International Expansion | Yes | - |
In 1974, businessman Joseph Yesutis fulfilled a life-long dream by purchasing the Lindy's Chili Company and the Gertie's Ice Cream Company. This dream, however, did not include putting the two concepts together. Only after analyzing the unique qualities of each business did he conceive of his remarkable innovation.
Lindy's Chili was drawing huge lunch and dinner crowds, but slowed in the evenings. On the other hand, Gertie's Ice Cream did great business in the evenings when customers crowded in.
Additionally, there was seasonal factors that effected business. Cold Chicago winters bolstered chili sales, while ice cream sales declined. And, of course, in the summer, ice cream soared past chili sales.
Combining the two companies into a single specialty food business initially drew many puzzled looks.Even more remarkable, chili and ice cream proved to be
a delicious combination!
The new Lindy Gertie's customers discovered that a bowl of
the hot and spicy chili followed by a cool, refreshing ice cream was indeed a unusually
satisfying experience.