Denny's vs Uccello's Ristorante, Pizzeria & Sports Lounge Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Denny's vs Uccello's Ristorante, Pizzeria & Sports Lounge including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Denny's Franchise
Uccello's Ristorante, Pizzeria & Sports Lounge Franchise
Investment $305,000 - $2,404,695$1,332,100 - $1,958,333
Franchise Fee $10,000 - $30,000$50,000
Royalty Fee 4.5%-7%5%
Advertising Fee 3%-3.5%5%
Year Founded 19531996
Year Franchised 19842009
Term Of Agreement 20 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years10 years
Renewal Fee $10K for 10 years-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Denny's Franchise
Uccello's Ristorante, Pizzeria & Sports Lounge Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Operations experience
  • * Industry experience * (or must have partner with industry experience.)

    Financing Options

     
    Denny's Franchise
    Uccello's Ristorante, Pizzeria & Sports Lounge 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/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Denny's Franchise
    Uccello's Ristorante, Pizzeria & Sports Lounge Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 91 hours Classroom Training: 16 hours Additional Training: At existing Denny's restaurants-
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet PlatformField operations/evaluations
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/appCo-op advertising, Regional advertising
    Operations 44% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 80

    Absentee Ownership Allowed

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 75

    Expansion Plans

     
    Denny's Franchise
    Uccello's Ristorante, Pizzeria & Sports Lounge Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    Company Overviews

    About Denny's

    In 1953, Harold Butler opened Danny's Donuts, a Lakewood, California, stand that served coffee and doughnuts 24 hours a day. The following year, the stand grew and its name was changed to Danny's Coffee Shops. Five years later, there were 20 shops in the chain, and the company changed its name to Denny's. Denny's locations serve breakfast, lunch and dinner choices 24 hours a day. Denny's New & Emerging Markets incentive program is designed to help us recruit exceptional new franchisees to seize valuable market share in new & emerging markets. Under the program, new franchisees can save up to $1 million by developing 4 new restaurants in new & emerging markets. The estimated savings include reduced: initial fees, royalty rate, marketing fees, market planning fee, store design fees, NRO training, and MGIP (development fees). With a flexible, cost-effective prototype & best-in-class systems, Denny's is positioned for sustained franchise growth.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Denny’s franchise is from $1,330,525.50 to $2,404,695.50 for a Denny’s Heritage facility; from $305,000 to $826,000 for a nontraditional Denny’s, including The Den; and from $1,025,528.50 to $1,659,695.50 for Denny’s within a Travel Center (these numbers exclude real estate). This includes the initial franchise fee of $10,000 to $30,000 and the New Restaurant Opening fee of $0 to $36,000, for a total of $10,000 to $66,000, which must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate.

    "franchiserankingscom"
    #59 on Franchise Rankings.com
    #83 on Franchise 500 for 2021  Not on Franchise 500 for 2020


    About Uccello's Ristorante, Pizzeria & Sports Lounge

    Faro opened his first pizza shop in 1978. From this time to 1987, Faro opened seven more pizza shops in the area. In 1990, Faro sold the franchise with the idea that he and his family would be moving back and living in Sicily from now on. As it happens many times, circumstances changed and the family moved back to Grand Rapids.

    Faro was, once again, in the restaurant business when he opened Uccello’s Ristorante Pizzeria & Sports Lounge on East Beltline in 1996. Uccello's Ristorante has officially opened up 6 locations in the last 23 years, the most recent being Downtown Grand Rapids across from Rosa Parks Circle. 

    Faro didn't want to stop there. In 2016, Uccello's Hospitality Group expanded when opening their first fast-casual concept, Herb & Fire Pizzeria, in Grandville. Since then, UHG has opened a second location by Celebration! Cinema North on East Beltline.  


    ​Uccello’s Hospitality Group has grown into 8 successful locations, inspired by Faro’s personal philosophy: "Always strive to give your guest more than they would normally expect. Provide people the opportunity to enjoy great food and the hospitality to match. You must always strive to be better in everything, and never compromise on top quality in any area”.