Express Mart vs RaceTrac Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Express Mart vs RaceTrac including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Express Mart Franchise
RaceTrac Franchise
Investment $86,200 - $361,000$1,000,000 - $1,400,000
Franchise Fee $15,000$25,000
Royalty Fee 4%3.5%
Advertising Fee -1.5%
Year Founded 19751934
Year Franchised 19901934
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Express Mart Franchise
RaceTrac Franchise
Experience -The company is seeking qualified candidates to bring their talents to its growing brand. RaceTrac franchisees should have strategic agility, business acumen, integrity and the ability to build an effective team. Ideal candidates will possess a desire to join a hands-on business opportunity where franchisees are actively involved in the day-to-day operations. Finally, potential franchisees should have a net worth of at least $700,000 and liquidity of at least $350,000. Candidates who meet these preliminary qualifications will be required to make an initial investment ranging from approximately $1 million to $1.4 million. Figures vary depending on the size of the store, store location, and equipment costs.

Financing Options

 
Express Mart Franchise
RaceTrac Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees No/Yes-/-
Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
Equipment No/Yes-/-
Inventory No/Yes-/-
Receivables No/Yes-/-
Payroll No/Yes-/-

Training & Support

 
Express Mart Franchise
RaceTrac Franchise
Training Available at headquartersAs a franchisee, RaceTrac will provide you with all of the tools necessary to run a RaceTrac store, including a comprehensive training program and our proven experience in marketing, operations and merchandising. RaceTrac’s training team will provide new franchisees an extensive training program that consists of classroom and in-store instruction. Our comprehensive training will teach you how to deliver great service to guests who come to your modern, convenient store for quality food offers and wide product selection.
Support Meetings, Grand opening, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesThe RaceTrac operations team will begin supporting you immediately. The local regional team will support the franchisee with their intimate knowledge of Central Florida and business operations. This regional support includes a direct relationship with one of our dedicated Operations Supervisors. RaceTrac will also provide the franchisee with store opening support to assist with re-opening activities and make sure they get off to a great start as a RaceTrac franchisee.
Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising-
Operations

Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (33% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

-

Expansion Plans

 
Express Mart Franchise
RaceTrac Franchise
US Expansion -Yes
Canada Expansion No-
International Expansion Yes-

Company Overviews

About Express Mart

Express Mart, founded in 1975 by Frank Borer, has locations in strip malls and gas stations across the northeastern United States. The company is involved in co-branding partnerships with McDonald's, Wendy's, Domino's Pizza, Subway and Dunkin' Donuts, as well as local partnerships with Jreck Subs and Mark's Pizza.

About RaceTrac

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, family-owned RaceTrac has been serving guests since 1934 and now operates over 500 convenience store locations in Georgia, Florida, Louisiana and Texas. While operating under its mission of making people’s lives simpler and more enjoyable, many RaceTrac stores feature Swirl World frozen desserts, an expanded coffee bar, seating areas and free Wi-Fi. The company has been named a top workplace across the four states in which it operates, and has been recognized on Forbes list of largest private companies every year since 1998. In 2014,
Convenience StoreDecisions named RaceTrac as its “Chain of the Year.” RaceTrac willexpand into Tennessee beginning in 2019.