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Updated RecentlyEast of Chicago Pizza Company vs Russo's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of East of Chicago Pizza Company vs Russo's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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| Investment | $162,000 - $463,000 | $295,000 - $750,000 |
| Franchise Fee | $20,000 | $49,500 |
| Royalty Fee | 5% | 7% |
| Advertising Fee | - | 2% |
| Year Founded | 1990 | 1992 |
| Year Franchised | 1991 | 1998 |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 10 years+5 |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 10 years+5 |
| Renewal Fee | To be determined | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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| Experience | No Restaurant experience necessary but helpful Minimum financials are $175K to $400K in investment capital and a $600K to $1.0MM net worth | |
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 | Yes/Yes | -/Yes |
| Inventory | No/Yes | -/Yes |
| Receivables | No/Yes | -/- |
| Payroll | No/No | -/Yes |
Training & Support |
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| Training | On-The-Job Training: 2 weeks Classroom Training: 4 weeks | 8 Week GM & Key Supervisor Training and Certification |
| Support | Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising | - |
| Marketing | Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising | - |
| Operations |
26% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 20 Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) Number of Employees Required to Run: 20 | On site pre and post opening training and operational support with quarterly QA Visits. |
Expansion Plans |
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| US Expansion | Yes | - |
| Canada Expansion | No | - |
| International Expansion | No | - |
Company Overviews
About East of Chicago Pizza Company
When founder L. Scott Granneman was thinking of a name for his second pizza restaurant in Willard, Ohio, he remembered one of his customers telling him he made 'the best pizza east of Chicago.' The comment stuck with Granneman, and now East of Chicago Pizza has more than 120 locations stretching as far east as Virginia.
East of Chicago locations offer favorite toppings such as pepperoni and mushrooms as well as a menu of specialty pizzas like Taco (which is covered with lettuce, tomato, black olives, sour cream, cheddar cheese, beef and salsa) and dessert pizzas (Dutch Crunch apple pizza or Peanut Butter & Jelly).
About Russo's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen
Using the family recipe for hand-tossed dough, the sauce made from fresh-crushed California tomatoes, and imported Italian cheese blends, Anthony became the sole owner and chef of his first restaurant Russo’s Pizza in the early 80’s. "It was 800 square feet. I had a pizza oven, a dough mixer and two tables. That's it. I could only sit eight people.” A few years later, he created Anthony’s Pizzeria, located in Clear Lake, Texas, and soon moved to Houston.
For almost a decade, Anthony refined his menu using classic Italian family recipes and zeroed in on the perfect New York-style pizza. In 1992, Russo’s New York Pizzeria opened in downtown Houston, Texas and proved to be a success.
For almost a decade, Anthony refined his menu using classic Italian family recipes and zeroed in on the perfect New York-style pizza. In 1992, Russo’s New York Pizzeria opened in downtown Houston, Texas and proved to be a success.
Russo's Restaurants is a national and international franchisor of the fast casual and casual dining brands Russo's New York Pizzeria and Russo's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen. Based in Houston, Russo's Restaurants are composed of a mix of corporate and franchised locations across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Florida and Hawaii. Russo's has entered international markets as well, with locations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. There are an additional 20-plus units in development both in the United States and internationally. Chef Anthony Russo has created his concepts from years of applying his unique, family recipes featuring New York-style pizza along with a broad variety of handcrafted pasta creations, calzones, salads, sandwiches, soups and desserts, reflecting his commitment to his New York roots where food and family come first.