Indigo Joe's vs Symposium Cafe Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Indigo Joe's vs Symposium Cafe including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Indigo Joe's Franchise
Symposium Cafe Franchise
Investment $1,200,000 - $1,300,000$625,000 - $675,000
Franchise Fee $30,000$40,000
Royalty Fee 5%4%
Advertising Fee 1.5%1%
Year Founded 19941996
Year Franchised 20022004
Term Of Agreement 10 years +10-
Term Of Agreement 10 years +10-
Renewal Fee $10K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Indigo Joe's Franchise
Symposium Cafe Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
Indigo Joe's Franchise
Symposium Cafe 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

 
Indigo Joe's Franchise
Symposium Cafe Franchise
Training

Prior to the opening of the store, it is essential to successfully complete Indigo Joe's intensive 6-week franchise training program. This program will educate the franchise owner in all aspects of restaurant operations as well as provide him or her with all the necessary tools. Topics that will be covered include customer service, preparation of Indigo Joe's menu items, quality and food portion control, beverage and inventory management, cost control, employee hiring and scheduling, store safety guidelines, management tools and systems, turnover reduction and budgeting and forecasting. Store Opening training is provided for 7 days prior to the opening date and until 7 days after. This training is a more "hands on" approach to managing and successfully running an Indigo Joe's restaurant.

3 full months of training for up to three individuals at an existing Symposium Cafe location.
Support

Indigo Joe's provides on-going operational support through their field service representatives

A transition tutor is assigned to directly assist you on a regular basis in your restaurant franchise for a period of 10 weeks. This tutor works closely with you through the opening stages of your cafe, the day-to-day operating systems and procedures to ensure a successful start-up of your restaurant. This program is designed to strengthen and build the Franchise operators commitment to our proven systems. Our unique 10 weeks in-store program is crucial to building your team, establishing a strong customer base, growing restaurant sales and operating a successful Symposium Cafe franchise. The field consulting team provides ongoing support and training through restaurant visits and coaching. They ensure all Symposium Cafe systems, specifications and standards are in place to drive consistent operations and profitable sales. Professional operations staff makes ongoing visits to your restaurant to hear any concerns you may have. They'll also conduct restaurant audits, which expose areas of concern within your operation. Our regional managers work with our Franchisees to develop action plans to correct and eliminate any problems uncovered.
Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising-
Operations International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses

Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 15

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

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Expansion Plans

 
Indigo Joe's Franchise
Symposium Cafe Franchise
US Expansion --
Canada Expansion NoYes
International Expansion Yes-

Company Overviews

About Indigo Joe's

Indigo Joe's Sports Pub & Restaurant is no average sports bar and grill but most importantly, a family oriented restaurant. It is committed to being the very best place for fans to view their favorite sports teams. Team banners are grouped by conference and region and many customers enjoy the 'coaches wall', which includes customized, autographed pictures of some of the most famous sports figures to date. The franchise allows for multiple revenue opportunities which includes in-store, take out and catering sales. The multiple-unit organization is backed by a franchise training and ongoing support program. The franchise owner will benefit from our Corporate Support Team which will provide the introductory training program, on going support in operations and marketing and advertising. Indigo Joe's understands the importance of Marketing and Advertising in becoming successful and in creating brand recognition. Attention to details keeps the customer happy and encourages him to tell others about his experience. This franchise program allows for multiple revenue opportunities including in-store, take-out and catering sales. The multiple unit organization is backed by franchise training and an ongoing support program.

About Symposium Cafe

The Symposium Cafe Restaurant - a unique cafe and restaurant franchising opportunity, that is both challenging and rewarding and is redefining the cafe experience. Our competitive advantages stem from the foundation of our gourmet restaurant franchises through to the corporate infrastructure, operational systems and support, and our supplier partnerships. Our franchise system guides each of the franchisees through every facet of the restaurant operation. Upon becoming familiar with our system each franchisee will be able to train and develop each of their associates in all areas of the restaurant business. Our system revolves around the philosophy of "Continued Training" to guarantee our team meets and exceeds our dining patrons expectations. All positional training techniques are clearly outlined in our restaurant manuals with easy to implement instructions. Our restaurant cost management system, indexed in our operations manual, is designed to provide you with the necessary tools to completely analyze and understand your restaurant franchises business both from a sale and cost perspective. Informative and educational restaurant symposiums are held with the main focus and discussion revolving around driving and developing our restaurant and patio sales while controlling costs using our proven cafe systems. All of these elements make The Symposium Cafe franchise a successful, rewarding restaurant franchises opportunity.