Chicago's Pizza vs Straw Hat Pizza Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Chicago's Pizza Franchise
Straw Hat Pizza Franchise
Investment $87,300 - $173,100$145,000 - $913,000
Franchise Fee $12,000$20,000
Royalty Fee 4%2%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19791959
Year Franchised 19811969
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Chicago's Pizza Franchise
Straw Hat Pizza Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • People skills
    		• -

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

    Training & Support
     
    Chicago's Pizza Franchise
    Straw Hat Pizza Franchise
    Training --
    Support Grand opening, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives-
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks-
    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)

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    Chicago's Pizza Franchise
    Straw Hat Pizza 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 Straw Hat Pizza

    Straw Hat Pizza restaurants have been winning rave reviews from customers for 50 years for our fresh,California-produced ingredients.Wholesome and satisfying, but also fast and flexible, the hallmark of a Straw Hat pizzeria is its upbeat and fun atmosphere, and our strategic locations - situated in the heart of a community,making our restaurants the local gathering hub for families, sports teams and business meetings.
    Straw Hat has always appealed to families and individuals who want great value, served up in a fun, clean environment. And, for those who insist on "the best," Straw Hat uses only fresh, made-from-scratch, locally-grown ingredients in our pizzas.