McDonald's vs Moe's Southwest Grill Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of McDonald's vs Moe's Southwest Grill including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
Investment |
$1,314,500 - $2,306,500 | $457,400 - $911,500 |
Franchise Fee |
$45,000 | $30,000 |
Royalty Fee |
4% | 5% |
Advertising Fee |
4%+ | 2% |
Year Founded |
1955 | 2000 |
Year Franchised |
1955 | 2001 |
Term Of Agreement |
20 years | 20 years |
Term Of Agreement |
20 years | 20 years |
Renewal Fee |
$45K | Then-current franchise fee |
Business Experience Requirements |
Experience |
Industry experience General business experience Marketing skills | Industry experience General business experience Marketing skills Excellent attention to detail |
Financing Options |
|
In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party |
Franchise Fees |
No/No | No/Yes |
Start-up Costs |
No/No | No/Yes |
Equipment |
No/Yes | No/Yes |
Inventory |
No/No | No/Yes |
Receivables |
No/No | No/Yes |
Payroll |
No/No | No/Yes |
Training & Support |
Training |
On-The-Job Training: 500 hours
Classroom Training: 72 hours
Additional Training: At local McDonald's restaurant
|
On-The-Job Training 125 hours
Classroom Training: 22.6 hours
|
Support |
Purchasing Co-ops
Newsletter
Meetings/Conventions
Toll-Free Line
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security/Safety Procedures
Field Operations
Site Selection
Proprietary Software
| 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 |
Co-op Advertising
Ad Templates
National Media
Regional Advertising
Social media
SEO
Website development
Email marketing
Loyalty program/app
|
Co-op Advertising
Ad Templates
National Media
Regional Advertising
Social media
SEO
Website development
Email marketing
Loyalty program/app
|
Operations |
82% of all franchisees own more than one unit
Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
65% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 15
Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (80% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
Expansion Plans |
US Expansion |
Yes | Yes |
Canada Expansion |
No | No |
International Expansion |
Yes | Yes |
Company Overviews
About McDonald's
Ray Kroc, a milkshake mixer salesman, ventured to California in
1954 to visit McDonald's hamburger stand, where he heard they were
running eight mixers at once. Kroc was impressed by how rapidly
customers were served and, seeing an opportunity to sell many more
milkshake machines, encouraged brothers Dick and Mac McDonald to open a
chain of their restaurants. Kroc became their business partner and
opened the first McDonald's in Des Plaines, Illinois in 1955.
McDonald's brand is in 122 countries around the world. Thirty thousand locations serve 51 million customers each day. More than 70 percent of McDonald's restaurants around the world are owned and operated by independent local business people.
Most standalone McDonald's restaurants offer both counter and drive-through service, with indoor and sometimes outdoor seating. The Drive-Thru, Auto-Mac, or McDrive as it is known in many countries, often has separate stations for placing, paying for, and picking up orders, though the former two steps are frequently combined. In some countries "McDrive" locations near highways offer no counter service or seating. In contrast, locations in high-density city neighborhoods often omit drive-through service.
#7 on Franchise Rankings.com
#3 in Canada's top franchises.
#3 in Franchise 500 for 2020
#11 in Franchise 500 for 2021
About Moe's Southwest Grill
In December of 2000 in Atlanta, Ga. a handful of local entrepreneurs created Moe's Southwest Grill in the spirit of not-taking-yourself-too-seriously with menu names like the Homewrecker burrito, Closetalker salad and the Billy Barou nachos as well as a store design that includes abstract artwork with tongue-in-cheek sayings.
Maybe it's the personal experience that keeps people coming back for more. Maybe it's the huge selection of customizable Southwest favorites. Or maybe it's the laid-back vibe and signature "Welcome to Moe's" greeting our customers hear each time they walk through the door. Regardless of the reason behind the popularity of the brand, it works - and now, after being purchased by FOCUS Brands, Inc., in August 2007, Moe's has more than 370 locations across the country with plans to grow domestically and internationally. As a testament to the wild popularity of the brand, Moe's was named the #1 fast-casual chain based on change in system-wide sales by QSR magazine and the #2 fast-casual chain under 300 units in 2006.
When you join the Moe's franchisee family, you'll be working with passionate, experienced professionals who have extensive brand-building, development and operational experience in all functions of the foodservice industry. We're dedicated to the success of your franchise, and are committed to providing you with world-class support and service based on respect and trust.
Join Moe's-- owning your own restaurant doesn't have to just be a dream.
Veteran Incentives $10,000 off franchise fee
#362 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
#191 in Franchise 500 for 2021
.