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Updated RecentlyZ Pizza vs Donatos Pizzeria Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Z Pizza vs Donatos Pizzeria including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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| Investment | $249,000 - $359,000 | $386,500 - $698,900 |
| Franchise Fee | $30,000 | $30,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 6% | 5% |
| Advertising Fee | 3% | 5% |
| Year Founded | 1986 | 1963 |
| Year Franchised | 1999 | 1991 |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years | - |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years | - |
| Renewal Fee | - | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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| Experience | - | |
Financing Options |
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| In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
| Franchise Fees | No/Yes | -/Yes |
| Start-up Costs | No/Yes | -/Yes |
| Equipment | No/Yes | -/Yes |
| Inventory | No/Yes | -/Yes |
| Receivables | No/Yes | -/Yes |
| Payroll | No/Yes | -/Yes |
Training & Support |
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| Training | Additional training available as required | On-The-Job Training: 454 hours Classroom Training: 4 hours |
| Support | The zpizza support system is extremely detailed and begins from the moment your franchise agreement is signed, throughout your development phases, and through your store opening. Training is provided to the operational owners and managers for your store. The zpizza Training Program is a four week program comprehensive of all operational details involved in your business. zpizza provides a team to serve from pre-opening to opening. - Use of brand name, trademarks, recipes, operational systems and methods, and décor - Facility planning on site location and architectural design - Specifications for fixtures, equipment, and leasehold improvements - Assistance in site selection and lease negotiation - Corporate training for Owner/Operator and Director of Operations/General Managers - Kitchen/Back of the House Workflow design - Ongoing support from members of the Training and Operations Team - Ongoing updates for increasing profitability - Products with high industry demand - Favorable national contracts with suppliers of goods and services - Operating manuals, policies, procedures, and business management systems - Annual franchisee meetings - Access to zpizza's proprietary, Internet-based system that acts as a repository for all above-mentioned support materials, manuals, graphics and brand communications. | Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform |
| Marketing | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising | 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; 100% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 15 Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) | - |
Expansion Plans |
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| US Expansion | Yes | - |
| Canada Expansion | No | - |
| International Expansion | No | - |
Company Overviews
About Z Pizza
Z Pizza was founded in 1986 and began franchising in 1999. The Newport Beach, California-based company has more than 90 units in the United States.Z Pizza is a rapidly growing chain of gourmet, health conscious pizza stores operating in high-profile lifestyle centers and metropolitan retail centers. The store footprint is approximately 1,100 to 1,500 square feet. Z pizza serves four day parts which include, lunch, afternoon chill, dinner and catering. The wide menu serves pizza, pizza by the slice, salads and sandwiches.
About Donatos Pizzeria
BE A PART OF A PIZZA BUSINESS THAT'S ON THE RISE.
With $1,300 in his pocket and a dream to own his own business, Jim Grote bought a small pizzeria on the south side of Columbus, Ohio and went to work to create a business that was truly unique. Although Donatos has grown and moved into almost 200 neighborhoods, our belief remains the same: "Treat people the way you want to be treated."
You are responsible for:
* Leasehold improvements
* Leasing or purchasing equipment
* Hiring and restaurant operation
Donatos provides:
* Product formulas and operational systems
* Store design guidance
* Equipment ordering guidance
* Edge-u-cation training
* Cultural orientation
* Operations manual
* Periodic evaluations
* Ongoing support
Additional information and qualifications:
Single-Store and Multi-Unit Development Agreements are available depending upon prospective Franchise Partner qualifications as well as geographical considerations.
Prospective Franchise Partner groups need to designate an Operating Partner who must live in the area to be developed and possess prior restaurant or retail management and supervision experience commensurate with the number of restaurants to be developed. An Operating Partner may also be a member of the Franchise Group.
A full Franchise Application, including a Personal Financial Statement, needs to be submitted for each member of the Franchise Partner group. If the Operating Partner is a separate individual, they will need to submit a full resume with work history and skill-set qualifications.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Donatos
franchised business is $386,500 to $698,900. This includes $40,500 to
$42,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate. If this is
the second Donatos franchised business, you choose to receive
additional training services or you hire a Donatos Manager for your
franchised business, you must pay the franchisor an additional $15,000
to $40,000.
The company continues to franchise throughout the Midwest, South and
Southeast, with franchised locations serving pizza, subs, salads and
desserts.
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#181 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
#313 in Franchise 500 for 2021.