Chicago's Pizza vs Pizza Factory Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Chicago's Pizza Franchise
Pizza Factory Franchise
Investment $87,300 - $173,100$372,000 - $562,000
Franchise Fee $12,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 4%5%
Advertising Fee -3%
Year Founded 19791979
Year Franchised 19811985
Term Of Agreement 5 years20 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years20 years
Renewal Fee -$5000


Business Experience Requirements

 
Chicago's Pizza Franchise
Pizza Factory Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • People skills
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Chicago's Pizza Franchise
    Pizza Factory Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/No
    Equipment No/NoNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Chicago's Pizza Franchise
    Pizza Factory Franchise
    Training - On-The-Job Training: 214 hours Classroom Training: 26 hours Additional Training: At training store
    Support Grand opening, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicksCo-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations 20% 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)

    Absentee Ownership Allowed

    Number of Employees Required to Run: 8 - 10


    Expansion Plans

     
    Chicago's Pizza Franchise
    Pizza Factory Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoNo

    Company Overviews

    About Chicago's Pizza

    Robert McDonald enjoyed working in the pizza business. When he was suddenly terminated from his job with an Indiana pizza restaurant, he decided to start his own pizza chain. When Ron Epple, who had worked with McDonald as director of franchise training, heard what his old co-worker was up to, he asked to be part of it.

    In 1979, the two founded Chicago's Pizza. At lunchtime, restaurants serve pizzas by the slice or in seven-inch rounds from counters and drive-thru windows. In the evening, customers can use the drive-thru window to pick up phone orders. Most of the locations also have dining rooms where customers can enjoy Chicago's 29-inch pizza.

    The company has franchises in Indiana and Ohio. There is also a Chicago's Pizza location in Seville, Spain.

    About Pizza Factory

    Family owned and operated since its founding in 1979, Oakhurst, California-based Pizza Factory prepares pizzas, pasta, calzones and other favorites for its customers throughout the western United States and China. When Danny and Carol Wheeler opened the first restaurant near Yosemite National Park, it was called Danny's Red Devil Pizza. A name change and a few years later, the first franchise was opened with the help of Ron and Joyce Willey. Pizza Factory franchises are offered in three sizes - full, mid and express. Full and mid-sized restaurants can either stand-alone or operate within large strip and shopping centers. Express locations can operate within resorts, malls, convenience stores, gas stations and grocery stores.

    Seeking new franchise units in the following states:
    Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington

    Veteran Incentives  25% off franchise fee
    #268 in Franchise 500 for 2020.