A & W Restaurants vs Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of A & W Restaurants vs Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
A & W Restaurants Franchise
Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries Franchise
Investment $269,000 - $1,213,000$153,925 - $249,925
Franchise Fee $15,000 - $30,000$25,000
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee 5%1%
Year Founded 19191991
Year Franchised 19251993
Term Of Agreement 20 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years10 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
A & W Restaurants Franchise
Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • We're looking for individuals with: *Strong business experience *A commitment to quality food & customer service *Restaurant industry know-how


    Financing Options

     
    A & W Restaurants Franchise
    Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/-
    Start-up Costs No/No-/-
    Equipment No/No-/-
    Inventory No/No-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support

     
    A & W Restaurants Franchise
    Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries Franchise
    Training Before your restaurant opens, we provide six weeks of intensive in-store training for you and, in some instances, your key management people. The training takes place at an established A&W restaurant, usually in the same province where the restaurant will be located. From being shown the secrets of battering and breading A&W's handmade onion rings, to learning detailed information about how to create an efficient operation and positive work environment, you'll gain the knowledge and the confidence to achieve success in your own restaurant.

    Full training program Hwy 55 will send trained representatives to work with you and your team at your restaurant for a total of 10 working days. We will assist with 5 on-site pre-opening days and 5 on-site post-opening days. We reserve the right to stay longer to ensure a successful opening. Costs of the training program are included in your franchise fee; however, all travel and lodging costs will be at the franchisee’s expense. On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours

    Support The moment you become an A&W franchisee, you can expect complete and unrivaled support for your business and the A&W brand, all with the sole purpose of helping you to succeed. Operational support As your A&W restaurant settles into its regular routine, A&W business managers provide ongoing guidance with operational aspects of your business such as staffing, cost management and local marketing. Our business managers are an extraordinarily experienced team of senior managers whose job is to help you succeed. You'll also be invited to attend regular regional meetings and national conventions, where you'll gain new knowledge and share ideas with senior management and other A&W franchisees. In no time, you'll become a part of our energetic, results-oriented A&W team. Internal communication With over 50 years of experience as a franchise company in Canada, we have learned that communication is a crucial element of any successful franchise organization. The A&W Xchange, a private intranet site developed exclusively for the use of A&W operators and Head Office personnel, provides an outstanding vehicle for daily, real-time communication within the A&W family. You will also have access to a toll-free line for use in contacting Head Office. Internal standards boards and councils Decisions about ongoing operating standards and menu content are conducted through our Standards Board, an executive body comprised of franchisees elected in their region and a number of senior corporate managers. In a similar way, decisions about advertising expenditures and national promotional programs are made by a group of elected franchisees and corporate personnel who serve on our National Advertising Advisory Council. These two bodies give strong evidence of how, by working together, we develop marketing and operational programs that will help grow your business.Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing

    Local store marketing is not just a catchphrase around the A&W family, but a way of life. Each restaurant is unique, and will have a marketing plan tailored to fit it. We understand that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The A&W Marketing Team and each restaurant's Franchise Growth Leader work one-on-one with Franchise Partners to help develop a marketing strategy, budget, and implementation tactics.

    We have established and will administer a Marketing/Advertising fund on behalf of the Hwy 55 brand to provide national or regional creative materials for the benefit of your Hwy 55 location. We currently require Hwy 55 Franchisees to contribute 1% of gross sales for each restaurant to the Marketing/Advertising fund. In addition to contributions described above, we recommend you spend annually throughout the term of the franchise agreement, 2% of gross sales of the restaurant for local advertising in your primary area of responsibility. This amount is not paid to us, but rather is spend by you at your discretion. As a member of your local business community, you know the best local advertising opportunities. Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app

    Operations Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed.

    Absentee Ownership Allowed Number of Employees Required to Run: 20 - 50

    Expansion Plans

     
    A & W Restaurants Franchise
    Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About A & W Restaurants

    In 1919, our founder Roy Allen set up a roadside drink stand in Lodi, California to introduce a new beverage called "root beer" at a parade honoring returning World War I veterans. With his creation an instant success, Allen and partner Frank Wright named the beverage we know today as A&W Root Beer. Allen and Wright started franchising roadside stands, making A&W Restaurants the oldest franchise restaurant chain in the country. We are proud to stick to our roots and honor the past, while still growing with the changing times. We are committed to making it right, every time. Laughter, simple pleasures, and celebrations are all vital to A&W. Ask around, everyone has an A&W memory: first dates, baby mugs of Root Beer, high school sweethearts, and that perfect burger. We're more than just a place for a frosty mug of Root Beer and a great meal. We're A&W Restaurants, and we're inviting you to be part of something bigger than just owning a business. We're inviting you to be part of the A&W family. Create your very own A&W memories for yourself and your community. Consider this a unique opportunity to join a 96-year-old iconic American brand being run with the entrepreneurial spirit of a startup company. Since December 2011, when A&W was purchased by a partnership of domestic and international franchisees, A&W set its sight on becoming a world class franchise organization. Over the last 3 years, we've invested our resources in defining a competitive brand strategy that impacts all consumer touch points and has us well-positioned to capitalize on our heritage while remaining relevant to today's consumer. From new menu launches like our delicious Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders and right-sized Mini Polar Swirls to our flexible localized marketing strategies, we are committed to innovation that will bring us another successful 101 years.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation, not including rent or land costs, is $886,000 to $1,397,000 for a Freestanding Restaurant;  416,000 to $977,000 for a Inline Restaurant; and $276,000 to $680,500 for a Captive Restaurant. This includes $15,000 to $30,000 plus an additional $35,000 if you agree to develop 3 restaurants or $50,000 if you agree to develop 5 restaurants that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates.

    "Top   ""
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    #7 in Canada's Top franchises.
    In Franchise Business Reviews Top 200.
    #290 in Franchise 500 for 2020.






    About Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries

    A retro-themed diner that features fresh, never-frozen hand-pattied burgers, house-made frozen custard, and other classic favorites in a unique open-kitchen setting, was founded in Goldsboro, North Carolina in 1991. Hwy 55 reflects founder Kenney Moore's commitment to authentic hospitality and fresh food. Widely known in the state for its fresh food and service that exceeds expectations, the chain won BurgerBusiness.com's "Best Burger" in 2012. It also was recently named a top 500 franchise in the United States by Entrepreneur magazine and a "Next 20" restaurant brand by Nation's Restaurant News. Hwy 55 currently has 121 locations in 10 states, Denmark and the United Arab Emirates. Hwy 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries has been serving up good times and great food since 1991. We've achieved a lot in the last over 25 years, growing to over 100 restaurants across North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Ohio and Florida, with 500 more locations scheduled to open. During that time, our mission has remained the same: to provide each guest with world-class service and fresh food in a family atmosphere. 
    Hwy 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries fits a niche between fast food and casual dining, offering the customer the best benefits of both segments. We provide the convenience of fast food, with rapid response times and an affordable menu, but with a twist: our freshly made food is a much tastier alternative to typical pre-cooked hamburgers and french fries.

     The Hwy 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries franchise program is designed for the growth of the individual and the company; it's not an investment, it's a family.
    The amount of the Area Development Fee will depend on the number of Hwy 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries restaurants to be developed under the Area Development Agreement, and will be calculated as follows: $25,000 for the first Hwy 55 restaurant plus a deposit of $12,000 for each additional Hwy 55 restaurant to be opened under that agreement. For example, if you will develop three Hwy 55 restaurants, the Area Development Fee is calculated as $25,000 + (2 x $12,500 = $25,000) = $50,000.
    Veteran Incentives  10% off franchise fee