East of Chicago Pizza Company vs Melt Shop Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of East of Chicago Pizza Company vs Melt Shop including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
East of Chicago Pizza Company Franchise
Melt Shop Franchise
Investment $162,000 - $463,000$368,240 - $698,800
Franchise Fee $20,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 5%6%
Advertising Fee -2%
Year Founded 19902010
Year Franchised 19912017
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 Years +5+5+5
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 Years +5+5+5
Renewal Fee To be determined-


Business Experience Requirements

 
East of Chicago Pizza Company Franchise
Melt Shop Franchise
Experience
  • Company uses Birkman Profile & Corporate Interview Series
  • Melt Shop is seeking well capitalized partners who are entrepreneurial and have a strong knowledge of their market. The ideal franchisee is a proven multi-unit operator in the restaurant industry. At this time we are not offering sub-franchises.

    Financing Options

     
    East of Chicago Pizza Company Franchise
    Melt Shop Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-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-/Yes
    Payroll No/No-/Yes

    Training & Support

     
    East of Chicago Pizza Company Franchise
    Melt Shop Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 2 weeks Classroom Training: 4 weeks On-The-Job Training: 224 hours Classroom Training: 24 hours
    Support Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional AdvertisingNewsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional AdvertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    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

    Number of Employees Required to Run: 15

    Expansion Plans

     
    East of Chicago Pizza Company Franchise
    Melt Shop Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion NoYes

    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 Melt Shop

    Melt Shop believes that one quality, more than any other, determines the success of a concept: the strength of the brand and its connection to guests.
    Melt Shop was built upon that premise
    Seeking multi-unit franchisees with strong restaurant and hospitality experience and a shared dedication to operational excellence who have a strong knowledge of their market. The ideal franchisee is a proven multi-unit operator in the restaurant industry. At this time we are not offering sub-franchises.