Nathan's Famous vs Whataburger Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Nathan's Famous Franchise
Whataburger Franchise
Investment $43,000 - $1,071,360$1,200,000
Franchise Fee $30,000N/A
Royalty Fee 5.5%-
Advertising Fee 2%-
Year Founded 19161950
Year Franchised 19880
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Renewal Fee 50% of franchise fee-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Nathan's Famous Franchise
Whataburger Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Nathan's Famous Franchise
    Whataburger Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees Yes/No-/-
    Start-up Costs No/No-/-
    Equipment Yes/No-/-
    Inventory Yes/No-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support
     
    Nathan's Famous Franchise
    Whataburger Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations-
    Marketing Co-op advertising-
    Operations 60% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 14

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (65% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    Nathan's Famous Franchise
    Whataburger Franchise
    US Expansion --
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    Company Overviews

    About Nathan's Famous

    Franchising is a business concept that allows qualified investors to become part of an established, existing “system.” A good way to look at franchising is, you’re in business for yourself, but not by yourself. Strategically, this provides many benefits under a brand name that has consumer awareness and equity.
    Nathan’s has taken this basic premise and redefined it to exceed the most stringent business criteria of today’s investor.

    Nathan’s offers a wide range of restaurant designs and customized equipment, thereby offering business opportunities to qualified candidates regardless of space constraints or investment limitations.

    The estimated initial investment for a BMP Operation ranges from $43,000 to $86,300, including an initial license fee of $7,500. If you want to add an “Arthur Treacher’s” BMP Operation to your new or existing food service establishment, the additional estimated initial investment will be from $34,404 to $81,486, including an initial license fee of $7,500.

    "Top
    #78 in Gator's Top franchises
    #286 in Franchise 500 for 2020.


    About Whataburger

    A Great Company, A Great Burger. Those simple ideas have guided us through more than 70 years of Whataburger history, which began in 1950 when Harmon Dobson opened the first Whataburger in Corpus Christi, Texas. From day one, Harmon believed that valuing his employees would ensure the success of the company, and he was right. What was once a two-man burger stand has grown to over 650 Whataburger locations across 10 states. We are an uncommon company within the burger industry, because we've never compromised the quality of our products and we genuinely respect our people. We are a family owned and operated company and everyone who works at Whataburger - from the home office to the restaurants - is referred to as a Family Member.

    Whataburger doesn’t demand any kind of royalty fee.