Firehouse Subs vs Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Firehouse Subs vs Buffalo Wild Wings including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Firehouse Subs Franchise
Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
Investment $57,502 - $868,696$2,695,100 - $4,244,300
Franchise Fee $20,000$25,000
Royalty Fee 6%5%
Advertising Fee 3-5%3.25%
Year Founded 19941982
Year Franchised 19951991
Term Of Agreement -10 years
Term Of Agreement -10 years
Renewal Fee -$5K


Business Experience Requirements

 
Firehouse Subs Franchise
Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
Experience 1. Minimum of $80k to invest 2. Credit score of 650+ 3. Strong inner drive for excellence 4. Devotion to your Firehouse Subs business 5. Motivated and community-minded 6. Must love subs!
  • General business experience
  • Track record of success

  • Financing Options

     
    Firehouse Subs Franchise
    Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/No
    Equipment No/YesNo/No
    Inventory No/YesNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Firehouse Subs Franchise
    Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
    Training --
    Support -Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing -Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising
    Operations - Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 50% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 40 - 60

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (80% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Firehouse Subs Franchise
    Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion YesNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Firehouse Subs

    Our extraordinary steaming procedure stirs our exceptional meats and cheeses. At the point when our sub sandwiches are served in eateries highlighting genuine firefighting stylistic layout, this is a blend people return for over and over.
    Spreading Like Wildfire
    Surpassing 1,000 establishment areas, our Firehouse Subs development is deliberately figured to improve potential, gain, speculation, and obviously, our franchisees' prosperity.
    Operational Excellence

    With an always developing history of inventive items, an emphasis on uncommon client benefit, and a stand-out brand character, Firehouse Subs is focused on building benefit for franchisees.

    Enjoy More Subs Save More Lives

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a single Firehouse Subs Restaurant ranges from $57,502 to $862,591 for Traditional restaurants; $355,118 to $644,047 for End-Cap Strip Mall Restaurants w/ Drive Thru; and $868,696 for Free-Standing Restaurants w/ Drive Thru. These totals include the following amounts that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates: an initial franchise fee of $20,000; the fee for a mural ranges from $3,000 to $4,600; and the MIS System Fee ranges from $0 to $1,200.
    If you sign an Area Development Agreement, you will also pay a Development Fee equal to $10,000 times the number of Restaurants to be developed. The portion of the Development Fee allocable to each Restaurant (which is $10,000 for each Restaurant) will be credited against the initial franchise fee for that Restaurant. The total investment necessary to develop from 2 to 5 Restaurants is $89,502 to 930,591 for Traditional Restaurants; $387,118 to $712,047 for End-Cap Strip Mall Restaurants / Drive Thru; $900,696 to $936,690 for Free-Standing Restaurants w/ Drive Thru.

    Veteran Incentives  $2,000 off first-store franchise fee
    "Entrepreneur
    #59 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #78 in Franchise 500 for 2021.






    About Buffalo Wild Wings

    Buffalo Wild Wings got its start in 1981 after Jim Disbrow and Scott Lowery moved from Buffalo, New York, to Kent, Ohio. Unable to find authentic Buffalo-style chicken wings in their new town, they decided to open up their own restaurant. Originally called Buffalo Wild Wings & Weck (see Kummelweck) from which the abbreviation BW3 was created, the restaurant became a franchise with over 350 locations across most states of the U.S. The company later changed its name to Buffalo Wild Wings and is no longer uses the short name BW3. The restaurant's theme is a sports bar / restaurant, and each location features multiple large screen televisions that are viewable from all seats. All locations also have game consoles devoted to NTN Trivia. Buffalo Wild Wings is best-known for its buffalo wings with 12 signature sauces. They also have a full menu featuring salads, appetizers, burgers, and specialty items.

    United States Franchising

    We require that our U.S. franchise candidates have a minimum of USD 750,000 in liquid assets and a net worth of USD 1.5 million. Additionally, there is a minimum commitment to develop at least 2 restaurants.

    International Franchising

    We require that our international franchise candidates have a minimum of USD 5 million in liquid assets and net worth of USD 10 million. Additionally, there is a minimum commitment to develop at least 10 restaurants.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Buffalo Wild Wings Sports Bar franchise ranges from $2,695,100 to $4,244,300. This includes $10,000 to $55,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.
    If you sign an Area Development Agreement to develop multiple Buffalo Wild Wings Sports Bars, the total investment necessary to begin operation under the Area Development Agreement is $10,000 to $300,000. This includes $10,000 to $30,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate.

    #159 in Franchise 500 for 2020.