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Updated RecentlyGolden Corral vs Cosi Inc Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Golden Corral vs Cosi Inc including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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| Investment | $2,700,795 - $7,037,915 | $762,600 - $899,800 |
| Franchise Fee | $50,000 | $40,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 4% | 5% |
| Advertising Fee | 2.4% | 2% |
| Year Founded | 1973 | - |
| Year Franchised | 1986 | - |
| Term Of Agreement | 15 years | 10 years |
| Term Of Agreement | 15 years | 10 years |
| Renewal Fee | 15 years (plus two, 5-year renewal options) | - |
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/No | -/- |
| Start-up Costs | No/Yes | -/- |
| Equipment | No/Yes | -/- |
| Inventory | No/No | -/- |
| Receivables | No/No | -/- |
| Payroll | No/No | -/- |
Training & Support |
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| 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 | - |
| Marketing | National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app | - |
| 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) | - |
Expansion Plans |
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| US Expansion | Yes | Yes |
| Canada Expansion | No | - |
| International Expansion | 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 Cosi Inc
At the heart of every Cosi restaurant is an open-flame stone-hearth
oven where the Cosi signature flatbread is made from scratch throughout
the day. The flatbread is made from a generations-old recipe and is
part of many Cosi favorites.
Cosi was founded on the idea that
good-for-you food should be delicious. Menu items are made using fresh
ingredients and distinctive sauces and spreads to create edgy flavors.
The menu features made-to-order sandwiches, hand-tossed salads, bowls,
breakfast wraps, melts, all natural soups, signature Squagels, artisan
flatbread pizzas, S'mores, snacks and desserts. Guests can also enjoy
handcrafted beverages and a variety of coffee-based and specialty
beverages.