Golden Corral vs Big Boy Restaurants Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Golden Corral vs Big Boy Restaurants including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
Investment |
$2,700,795 - $7,037,915 | $861,800 - $3,568,000 |
Franchise Fee |
$50,000 | $40,000 |
Royalty Fee |
4% | 4% |
Advertising Fee |
2.4% | 1% local +2% Nat'l |
Year Founded |
1973 | 1936 |
Year Franchised |
1986 | 1952 |
Term Of Agreement |
15 years | 20 years |
Term Of Agreement |
15 years | 20 years |
Renewal Fee |
15 years (plus two, 5-year renewal options) | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
Experience |
Industry experience (or must have partner with industry experience.) | Industry & general business experience preferred |
Financing Options |
|
In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party |
Franchise Fees |
No/No | No/No |
Start-up Costs |
No/Yes | No/Yes |
Equipment |
No/Yes | No/Yes |
Inventory |
No/No | No/Yes |
Receivables |
No/No | No/Yes |
Payroll |
No/No | No/Yes |
Training & Support |
Training |
On-The-Job Training: 665 hours
Classroom Training: 8.5 hours
Additional Training: At company training location | - |
Support |
Newsletter
Meetings/Conventions
Toll-Free Line
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security/Safety Procedures
Field Operations
Site Selection
Proprietary Software
Franchisee Intranet Platform | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives |
Marketing |
National Media
Regional Advertising
Social media
SEO
Website development
Email marketing
Loyalty program/app | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising |
Operations |
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) |
20% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 60
Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
Expansion Plans |
US Expansion |
Yes | - |
Canada Expansion |
No | No |
International Expansion |
Yes | Yes |
Company Overviews
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.
About Big Boy Restaurants
The Big Boy itself began with Bob Wian in Glendale, California. Bob sold his car for $350.00 and opened a small restaurant called Bob's Pantry. He set into operation a policy that persists today throughout all Big Boy restaurants ... the finest quality food and the best service.
Members of an orchestra playing in the vicinity stopped in the restaurant and asked Bob Wian if he could dream up something different than just a plain hamburger. "Why not," Wian mused.
As if his hands were guided by an unseen force, he cut a regulation hamburger bun into three slices, and inserted not one but two hamburger patties into place. It was then garnished with a special and very delectable relish he had prepared. Wian handed the innovation to the players and anxiously awaited the decision.
"Wow," they chorused. "This is it!" and it was. Other customers saw him preparing it and asked for one. They agreed with the musicians. Wian had made a better hamburger.
One day a chubby youngster walked into Wian's now flourishing restaurant. "He was about six," Bob recalled, - and rolls of fat protruded where his shirt and pants were designed to meet. I was so amused by the youngster -- jolly, healthy looking and obviously a lover of good things to eat, I called him Big Boy.. - So why not name the new hamburger Big Boy? Wian did. That was the birth of the first double-decker hamburger.
At Big Boy, we thank all of those who served our country. For your service and dedication, Big Boy Franchise Management has created an incentive program for veterans of the United States Armed Forces. For qualified veterans, Big Boy has greatly reduced the initial Franchise Fee for your first Franchise Agreement.
Initial Franchise Fee - $40,000
Military Incentive Program Initial Franchise Fee - $20,000
Being a Big Boy franchisee means you'll be part of one of America's most iconic brands. It also means you'll be backed by an exceptional team that will support your franchise and help it become successful. Learn more about owning your own Big Boy franchise by taking a look at our Virtual Brochure. There you can see what it could be like being your own burger boss.
#82 on Franchise Rankings.com