Famous Dave's vs Urban Bar-B-Que Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Famous Dave's Franchise
Urban Bar-B-Que Franchise
Investment $481,750 - $4,495,750$182,650 - $365,150
Franchise Fee $45,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 5%6%
Advertising Fee 1%Nat'l + 1.5% local1%
Year Founded 19952003
Year Franchised 19982013
Term Of Agreement 20 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years10 years
Renewal Fee 50% of then-current fee-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Famous Dave's Franchise
Urban Bar-B-Que Franchise
Experience * Prefer Ownership/management experience in full service, casual dining restaurants, in or near the desired territories. * Multi unit experience is a big plus. * Single units will be considered depending on market conditions, demographics and other criteria. * If Area Development Agreement is chosen, minimum of three units required to be developed. * Minimum LIQUID net worth of $750,000. * Minimum per unit development costs could range from approx $900,000 to $4,000,000. * Proven commitment to customer service and quality food.
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Famous Dave's Franchise
    Urban Bar-B-Que 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
     
    Famous Dave's Franchise
    Urban Bar-B-Que Franchise
    Training -On-The-Job Training: 320 hours
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing
    Operations Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 84% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 65

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (97% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		 Number of Employees Required to Run: 5 - 25

    Expansion Plans
     
    Famous Dave's Franchise
    Urban Bar-B-Que Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About Famous Dave's

    Famous Dave's is a "specialty" casual dining restaurant franchise, creating environments that transcend current restaurant offerings by serving the highest quality, flavor-intense foods in surroundings that are stimulating, interesting and fun! Famous Dave's is more than a restaurant - it's an escape from the ordinary. Few restaurants in history have achieved as much recognition in a few short years as Famous Dave's! Dave's road to fame began with a strong hankerin' for fine barbecue and a stronger desire to make the finest slow-smoked barbecue folks had ever tasted. He visited rib shacks, roadside joints, every hole-in-the-wall or fancy pants supper club he could, all in search of the most succulent meats, savory seasonings and lipsmackin' sauces around. After 25 years of tastin' and cookin', Dave's barbecue just plain knocked the socks off his family and friends. That's when Dave decided he had to share. He wanted to give all the folks a chance to dig into the best barbecue ever. And in a place as down-home fun and frolicsome as the shacks and clubs he went a callin' on all those years.

    "Top
    #57 in Gator's Top franchises.

    "franchiserankingscom"
    #96 on Franchise Rankings.com


    About Urban Bar-B-Que

    Urban Bar-B-Que was founded in 2003 by Dave “Urban” Calkins and Lee “BBQ” Howard. They started with Five Principles of Urban Bar-B-Que that live on today:
    1. QUALITY - Always select the best cuts of meat and make our sides from Scratch. You Can’t Rush Perfection!
    2. PEOPLE -We’re more like a family than a “workplace.” If you are interested in joining our Family, please DOWNLOAD an application and bring it into your location     Urban Bar-B-Que.
    3. FREEDOM - Our country was built on Freedom.     Urban Bar-B-Que exercises our Freedom to combine different Bar-B-Que traditions under the same roof.
    4. COMMUNITY -We never forget who we serve or where we come from. Sign Up Now for a FUNdraiser at     Urban Bar-B-Que: CLICK HERE.
    5. FUN - The only thing we take seriously is the Food.