Cafe Ala Carte vs It's A Grind Coffee House Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Cafe Ala Carte vs It's A Grind Coffee House including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Cafe Ala Carte Franchise
It's A Grind Coffee House Franchise
Investment $56,200 - $123,300$173,150 - $473,000
Franchise Fee $25,000$15,000 - $25,000
Royalty Fee 8-5%6%
Advertising Fee -2%
Year Founded 19961995
Year Franchised 20002000
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee The then-current franchise fee$2.5K


Business Experience Requirements
 
Cafe Ala Carte Franchise
It's A Grind Coffee House Franchise
Experience -
  • General business experience
  • Strong people skills
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Cafe Ala Carte Franchise
    It's A Grind Coffee House Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Cafe Ala Carte Franchise
    It's A Grind Coffee House Franchise
    Training -Additional training as needed
    Support Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, InternetNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Ad slicksCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising
    Operations Franchise can be run from home.

    International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 100% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		 40% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 12 - 15

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Cafe Ala Carte Franchise
    It's A Grind Coffee House Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About Cafe Ala Carte

    Since 1996, Cafe Ala Carte provides a unique service to the food and beverage industry by capitalizing on the popularity of specialty coffees. By creating a niche in this market, people are experiencing a new and exciting idea for their events. Most franchises are simply duplicated or reinvented ideas. But Cafe Ala Carte is among the first of its kind. Our system has proven successful, and allows us to capitalize on one of the world's fastest growing trends.

    About It's A Grind Coffee House

    Husband-and-wife team Marty Cox and Louise Montgomery opened the first It's A Grind coffee shop in Long Beach, California, in 1995. Locations feature a blues and jazz theme, and wingback chairs that allow customers to relax while enjoying whole bean coffees, espresso drinks, teas, pastries, muffins and bagels.
    It’s A Grind is a specialty coffee house concept established in 1994 to provide high quality gourmet coffee, espresso beverages, better for you healthy cold drinks, range of home baked foods in a comfortable, community-focused neighborhood environment.
    Our coffee houses are independent, well connected and free spirited.
    Our range of coffee credible merchandise and quirky trinkets and treasures creates an It’s A Grind coffee house experience that promotes a free spirited attitude.