Golden Corral vs Shingle Inn Cafes Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Golden Corral vs Shingle Inn Cafes including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Golden Corral Franchise
Shingle Inn Cafes Franchise
Investment $2,700,795 - $7,037,915$250,001 - $450,000
Franchise Fee $50,000N/A
Royalty Fee 4%-
Advertising Fee 2.4%-
Year Founded 19731975
Year Franchised 19862009
Term Of Agreement 15 years5 years
Term Of Agreement 15 years5 years
Renewal Fee 15 years (plus two, 5-year renewal options)-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Golden Corral Franchise
Shingle Inn Cafes Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • (or must have partner with industry experience.)
  • Previous experience in operating a cafe is an advantage, but not a necessity in owning a Shingle Inn Cafe. Our experienced personnel will provide comprehensive training in cafe management, ordering, rostering, customer service and marketing during our six week pre-opening training program. You will also receive ongoing support and regular visits from your assigned Area Manager.

    Financing Options

     
    Golden Corral Franchise
    Shingle Inn Cafes Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-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

     
    Golden Corral Franchise
    Shingle Inn Cafes Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 665 hours Classroom Training: 8.5 hours Additional Training: At company training location6 week pre-opening franchisee training program. The initial weeks will consist of meeting key personnel and undertaking training across all facets of the business, including business management, customer service and sales, health and safety, and marketing. Training will also include planning your opening marketing promotions with the help of our experienced marketing team. Following this you'll undertake a minimum of four weeks training in-store. In this environment you will gain essential experience in the hands-on operation of a Shingle Inn cafe. In-store training provides you with a comprehensive insight into all facets of the business, including product knowledge, customer service skills, food and beverage preparation, store presentation, as well as in-store systems and training. You will also complete our Barista Training Program during this time.
    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)

    The average cafe has two full time Supervisors, up to 3 casual barista's (working different times), and 2 casual Kitchen Specialists. Further to this approximately 7 wait (table) staff, all casual , in a mix of seniors and juniors. Normally you would establish a pool of 10 to 12 casual wait staff to choose from for any given shift.

    Expansion Plans

     
    Golden Corral Franchise
    Shingle Inn Cafes Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion YesYes

    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 Shingle Inn Cafes

    Shingle Inn offers aspiring franchisees with a passion for hospitality the opportunity to own an exceptional boutique cafe and be part of a network that has been delighting generations of customers since 1936. The Shingle Inn experience starts the moment customers enter our cafes. Luxurious high-back chairs, warm rich colours and decorative lamps together with our signature range of decadent cakes, coffee and delicious menu choices has helped us establish a renowned boutique cafe brand that is well-known for its exceptional customer service. Supported by our proven business system, these elements provide a strong foundation for your success. Our menu is regularly updated to ensure we are delighting our customers with an exceptional dining experience. Our products are baked and delivered daily to each cafe to ensure freshness and continuity and most importantly, allowing you to concentrate on creating memorable customer experiences in-store. If you share our passion for exceptional customer experiences, join the Shingle Inn family and embrace the tradition that has become part of the quintessential Shingle Inn Cafe experience - it's the reason a special occasion shared at a Shingle Inn Cafe is carried through from one generation to the next.Shingle Inn currently operates across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, ACT and Western Australia with expansion plans for New Zealand.Shingle Inn is unsurpassed in today's cafe culture for a number of reasons: 1. Brand Our iconic brand has a unique identity within the cafe market. 2. Systems and support Our long history and reputable store network is evidence of our established support and systems 3. Products Our superior quality products and delicious coffee made by expertly trained baristas is unrivalled. 4. Family culture Our ongoing commitment to exceeding customers expectations in-store extends to the relationships we like to cultivate with all our stakeholders.