Chicago's Pizza vs Orion Food Systems Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Chicago's Pizza Franchise
Orion Food Systems Franchise
Investment $87,300 - $173,100$59,500 - $140,000
Franchise Fee $12,000N/A
Royalty Fee 4%-
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19791982
Year Franchised 19811993
Term Of Agreement 5 years-
Term Of Agreement 5 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Chicago's Pizza Franchise
Orion Food Systems Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • People skills
  • -

    Financing Options

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

    Training & Support

     
    Chicago's Pizza Franchise
    Orion Food Systems Franchise
    Training - On-The-Job Training: 45 hours Classroom Training: 9.5 hours
    Support Grand opening, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives Ongoing Support Newsletter Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media 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: 4 - 6

    Expansion Plans

     
    Chicago's Pizza Franchise
    Orion Food Systems Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion No-

    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 Orion Food Systems

    "Orion

    Orion Food Systems franchises a variety of quick-service brands that place locations within nontraditional locations such as convenience stores, hospitals, colleges, sports arenas, shopping centers, airports and military bases. Brands include Hot Stuff Pizza, Gourmet Grub, Chopz, and Chix Chicken.

    Franchisor is seeking new franchise units in the following regions/states:
    Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming

    #228 in Franchise 500 for 2020.