McAlister's Deli vs Symposium Cafe Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of McAlister's Deli vs Symposium Cafe including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
McAlister's Deli Franchise
Symposium Cafe Franchise
Investment $398,000 - $2,094,200$625,000 - $675,000
Franchise Fee $15,000 - $35,000$40,000
Royalty Fee 5%4%
Advertising Fee 3%1%
Year Founded 19891996
Year Franchised 19942004
Term Of Agreement 10 years +5+5+5-
Term Of Agreement 10 years +5+5+5-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
McAlister's Deli Franchise
Symposium Cafe Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    McAlister's Deli Franchise
    Symposium Cafe 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
     
    McAlister's Deli Franchise
    Symposium Cafe Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 206 hours Classroom Training: 45 hours 3 full months of training for up to three individuals at an existing Symposium Cafe location.
    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 PlatformA transition tutor is assigned to directly assist you on a regular basis in your restaurant franchise for a period of 10 weeks. This tutor works closely with you through the opening stages of your cafe, the day-to-day operating systems and procedures to ensure a successful start-up of your restaurant. This program is designed to strengthen and build the Franchise operators commitment to our proven systems. Our unique 10 weeks in-store program is crucial to building your team, establishing a strong customer base, growing restaurant sales and operating a successful Symposium Cafe franchise. The field consulting team provides ongoing support and training through restaurant visits and coaching. They ensure all Symposium Cafe systems, specifications and standards are in place to drive consistent operations and profitable sales. Professional operations staff makes ongoing visits to your restaurant to hear any concerns you may have. They'll also conduct restaurant audits, which expose areas of concern within your operation. Our regional managers work with our Franchisees to develop action plans to correct and eliminate any problems uncovered.
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app-
    Operations Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 95% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 40

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (66% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    McAlister's Deli Franchise
    Symposium Cafe Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion NoYes
    International Expansion No-

    Company Overviews

    About McAlister's Deli

    Founder Don Newcomb's goal when he launched McAlister's Deli in 1989 was to create a 'gourmet deli with Southern charm.' The restaurants serve more than 90 different menu items, including sandwiches, salads, super-stuffed baked potatoes, appetizers, desserts and kid's meals. Customers make their selections at the counter, receive their appetizers and drinks and then sit wherever they choose, while roving servers bring their food and drink refills. McAlister's has grown to more than 350 franchised units.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a franchised McAlister’s Deli Restaurant (“Traditional Restaurant”) ranges from $927,900 to $2,094,200. This includes $35,000 to $35,400 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a franchised McAlister’s Express Restaurant (“Express Restaurant”) is $398,000 to $607,850. This includes $15,000 to $15,400 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.
    Veteran Incentives  $5,000 off franchise fee
    "Entrepreneur
    #72 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #47 in Franchise 500 for 2021.



    About Symposium Cafe

    The Symposium Cafe Restaurant - a unique cafe and restaurant franchising opportunity, that is both challenging and rewarding and is redefining the cafe experience. Our competitive advantages stem from the foundation of our gourmet restaurant franchises through to the corporate infrastructure, operational systems and support, and our supplier partnerships. Our franchise system guides each of the franchisees through every facet of the restaurant operation. Upon becoming familiar with our system each franchisee will be able to train and develop each of their associates in all areas of the restaurant business. Our system revolves around the philosophy of "Continued Training" to guarantee our team meets and exceeds our dining patrons expectations. All positional training techniques are clearly outlined in our restaurant manuals with easy to implement instructions. Our restaurant cost management system, indexed in our operations manual, is designed to provide you with the necessary tools to completely analyze and understand your restaurant franchises business both from a sale and cost perspective. Informative and educational restaurant symposiums are held with the main focus and discussion revolving around driving and developing our restaurant and patio sales while controlling costs using our proven cafe systems. All of these elements make The Symposium Cafe franchise a successful, rewarding restaurant franchises opportunity.