Cafe Ala Carte vs Gourmet Cup Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Cafe Ala Carte vs Gourmet Cup including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Cafe Ala Carte Franchise
Gourmet Cup Franchise
Investment $56,200 - $123,300$120,000 - $200,000
Franchise Fee $25,000$25,000
Royalty Fee 8-5%8%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19961985
Year Franchised 20001986
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 years
Renewal Fee The then-current franchise fee$5K


Business Experience Requirements

 
Cafe Ala Carte Franchise
Gourmet Cup Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
Cafe Ala Carte Franchise
Gourmet Cup Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
Start-up Costs No/NoNo/No
Equipment No/YesNo/No
Inventory No/NoNo/No
Receivables No/NoNo/No
Payroll No/NoNo/No

Training & Support

 
Cafe Ala Carte Franchise
Gourmet Cup Franchise
Training --
Support Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, InternetNewsletter, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
Marketing Ad slicksCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media
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)

2% of all franchisees own more than one unit

Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


Expansion Plans

 
Cafe Ala Carte Franchise
Gourmet Cup Franchise
US Expansion --
Canada Expansion NoNo
International Expansion YesYes

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 Gourmet Cup

Gourmet Cup Beverage Station is the latest retail coffee concept from Shefield Group. The Gourmet Cup Beverage Station environment provides fun, energetic friendly service in a classic coffee shop setting. Consumers can select from the following:

unique coffees with many flavours on offer;
other beverages like caramel lattes, hot chocolate, cappuccino and espresso;
nutritious snacks and fresh-baked treats.

Gourmet Cup Beverage Station locations are designed to offer both an initial WOW factor as well as a place for consumers to relax. With its unique character, ambiance and wide selection of beverages, Gourmet Cup Beverage Station locations are absolutely unique.