Taco Bell vs Qdoba Mexican Grill Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Taco Bell vs Qdoba Mexican Grill including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Taco Bell Franchise
Qdoba Mexican Grill Franchise
Investment $152,250 - $3,049,100$475,500 - $1,095,000
Franchise Fee $25,000 - $45,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 5.5%5%
Advertising Fee 4.25%1.25%
Year Founded 19621995
Year Franchised 19641997
Term Of Agreement 20 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years10 years
Renewal Fee -$5K


Business Experience Requirements
 
Taco Bell Franchise
Qdoba Mexican Grill Franchise
Experience Multi-unit Operations Background

Restaurant, retail and/or gas convenience experience

Geographically Desirable

Open to locate in a strategic market and have local market knowledge

Experience/skills

Run a successfull business, with p/l responsibility, and development experience

Team Builder

Experience in staffing and retaining employees, demonstrated leadership skills

A culture fit with taco bell

Commitment to world class operations with strong recognition mindset

Financial Strength

Minimum of $750,000 liquid assets and $1,500,000 net worth


  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • Real estate
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Taco Bell Franchise
    Qdoba Mexican Grill Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/Yes
    Equipment No/NoNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Taco Bell Franchise
    Qdoba Mexican Grill Franchise
    Training Available at headquarters, Additional training available On-The-Job Training: 179 hours Classroom Training: 37 hours
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluationsMeetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op advertising, National media, Regional advertisingNational Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Loyalty program/app
    Operations Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 25

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		 Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 90% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 15

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.

    Expansion Plans
     
    Taco Bell Franchise
    Qdoba Mexican Grill Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoYes
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About Taco Bell

    After leaving the Marine Corps at 23, Glen Bell came home to San Bernardino, California and opened a hot dog stand. But his real interest was in alternative menu items, so he began selling tacos for 19 cents from a side window of the hot dog stand. When the tacos proved as popular as he had hoped, he started opening Taco Tia stands where tacos were the stars of the menu. In 1962, Bell sold the Taco Tia brand to his partners and opened the first Taco Bell in Downey, California. Franchising began two years later. Taco Bell is the country's driving Mexican-propelled snappy administration eatery (QSR) mark. We serve made-to-request and adaptable tacos and burritos, among other craveable decisions, and are the primary QSR eatery to offer American Vegetarian Association (AVA)- confirmed menu items. Taco Bell and our more than 350 establishment associations work over 6,500 eateries throughout the United States that gladly serve around 40 million clients consistently.

    Outside of our eateries, individuals can simply get to the Taco Bell mark through our Mobile Ordering and Payment App. In 2014, Taco Bell turned into the main QSR to dispatch a versatile application at eateries across the nation for both drive-through and feasting orders. Notwithstanding the portable application, individuals can arrange their most loved menu things by means of desktop on Ta.co or for conveyance through our association with DoorDash.

    While Taco Bell is fundamentally a U.S. mark, Yum! Brands managed to make it the Company's third worldwide brand. Outside the U.S., we have over 300 Taco Bell units in 24 nations, barring the Yum! China Division.

    The initial investment necessary to begin operation of a Taco Bell Express Unit ranges from $252,550 to $580,100 for a Custom Façade Unit, including $22,500 that must be paid to the licensor and $2,000 to $5,000 that must be paid to its affiliate for the first unit only.
    For a Power-Pumper or In-Line Unit, the total investment ranges from $345,950 to $701,100, including $22,500 that must be paid to the licensor and $3,500 to $5,000 that must be paid to its affiliate for the first unit only.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of an existing restaurant ranges from $152,250 to $1,766,250 or more, excluding real property, all of which must be paid to licensor or an affiliate.

    "Top    ""   "Entrepreneur

    #52 in Canada's Top franchises.

    "franchiserankingscom"
    #99 on Franchise Rankings.com
    #2 in Franchise 500 for 2020
    #1 in Franchise 500 for 2021









    About Qdoba Mexican Grill

    The fast casual franchise chosen by the world's toughest restaurant critics: Successful Franchisees. We've attracted successful multi-unit franchisees from such brands as Jack in the Box, Papa John's, Burger King, Sonic, Popeye's and Village Inn, as well as a former president of KFC and a former CEO of Church's and Rally's. Clearly, they know a winning system when they see it.
    * Exceptional sales-to-investment ratio
    * 9 consecutive years of same store sales growth
    * Leader in the exploding Fast-Casual Mexican category
    Qdoba is more than just incredible food; it's a brand in the right place at the right time.
    Requirements for becoming a Qdoba Multi-Unit Developer
    Qdoba Mexican Grill is seeking multi-unit development partners in territories throughout the United States.
    To be considered, individuals or partnerships must meet the following minimum characteristics:
    * 3 years multi-unit restaurant management experience as an owner and/or operator
    * Minimum financial net worth of $2 million and liquidity of $500,000
    * Development agreement commitment of 3-20 units
    * Knowledge of real estate and trade areas in development territory
    * Must have enthusiasm, drive, and passion for the restaurant industry
    * Operating partner must live in the territory
    * Single unit franchises require a $750,000 net worth and are considered on a case by case basis
    If you meet the above criteria and are interested in taking the next step, please contact us.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Qdoba restaurant is $475,500 - $1,095,000. This includes $30,000 which must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a non-traditional Qdoba restaurant is $251,500 - $815,000. This includes $15,000 which must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.
    The franchisor may offer the right to enter into a development agreement to develop a minimum of two Qdoba restaurants pursuant to a development agreement. You must pay a development fee to the franchisor in the amount of $10,000 for each restaurant to be developed (there are no additional fees payable to their affiliates).
    The total investment necessary under the development agreement, based on a commitment of two Qdoba restaurants, is $952,000 to $2,195,000. This includes $20,000 of development fees that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.

    "Entrepreneur

    #152 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #293 in Franchise 500 for 2021.