Famous Sam's vs Bennigan's Grill & Tavern Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Famous Sam's vs Bennigan's Grill & Tavern including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Famous Sam's Franchise
Bennigan's Grill & Tavern Franchise
Investment $586,000 - $1,200,000$1,027,075 - $3,588,244
Franchise Fee $30,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 5%4%
Advertising Fee -1%
Year Founded 19791976
Year Franchised 19891976
Term Of Agreement 20 years15 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years15 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Famous Sam's Franchise
Bennigan's Grill & Tavern Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Industry experience preferred, not required; strong management background
  • �Has prior management level experience in food service and/or restaurant operations. �Willingness to follow our proven operating system �A solid business person with a strong desire to succeed �Possesses experience in restaurant franchising �Meets the financial requirements


    Financing Options

     
    Famous Sam's Franchise
    Bennigan's Grill & Tavern Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/Yes
    Equipment No/NoNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Famous Sam's Franchise
    Bennigan's Grill & Tavern Franchise
    Training -Bennigan's, or a designated third party, will provide training to you and your restaurant team. Your management team will be required to complete a 6 to 8 week training program based on prior experience. Onsite training will be provided to entire team before restaurant opening. All parties must successfully complete the training to the satisfaction of the Bennigan's Operations/Training team prior to opening your restaurant. We believe great training equals lower turnover and stronger guest retention. Therefore, we provide continued support to team members. Bennigan's University, our online learning module, helps drive the retention of both staff and guests.
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Field operations/evaluationsFor the pre-opening of your first Bennigan's, members of our Operations and Marketing Teams will assist you from 45 days prior to your Grand Opening. Marketing Support: Our goal is to help you successfully market your brand. We put a marketing calendar in place to help drive sales, increase check average and guest count. Marketing tools provided include: Intranet, Email Marketing, Social Media Support, New Photography, Pipeline Items/Menu Development.
    Marketing Co-op advertisingCo-op advertising
    Operations 46% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    100% of current franchisees are owner/operators

    Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 98% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 100

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Famous Sam's Franchise
    Bennigan's Grill & Tavern Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About Famous Sam's

    In Tucson, Arizona, in 1963, Sam Schantz opened a small neighborhood bar called 'Sam's Tavern.' Serving overstuffed pastrami and ham sandwiches, Sam's Tavern kept customers entertained with pool tables, pinball machines and television. In February 1987, Sam's Tavern incorporated as Famous Sam's Corp., and franchising began the next year. In 1997, Famous Sam's Inc. was incorporated as a wholly owned subsidiary, and company headquarters moved to Phoenix. Famous Sam's Restaurant/Sports Bars offers reasonably priced casual dining with 'Overstuffed/Oversized' sandwiches and a full bar. Restaurants feature televisions tuned to sporting events and the 'National Trivia Network,' inviting guests to play trivia games. Game areas include pool tables, darts and video games.

    About Bennigan's Grill & Tavern

    Bennigan's was established in Atlanta, Georgia in 1976 by Norman Brinker, a legend among restaurateurs.  Bennigan's is still the iconic brand loved by all and is re-establishing itself as the leader in casual dining. Committed to the welcoming, friendly and festive spirit of Irish Hospitality, Bennigan's offers more generous pours and portions and goes above and beyond the call of duty to deliver Legendary experiences to every guest, every meal, every day. In 2011, Bennigan's began a Legendary comeback by re-energizing the beloved brand with a commitment to bring memorable dining experiences to every guest, every day. This remarkable resurgence began with a brand refresh at the company's two corporate locations and a plan to bring the same menu optimization and service enhancements to current and future franchise partners.
    The mission at Bennigan's is to deliver exceptional service to every guest, every meal, every day. In order to deliver this service, we must remember to focus on those essential elements that will allow us to provide quality service with a bit of Irish hospitality on the side.