Charleys Philly Steaks vs Zoup! Fresh Soup Company Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Charleys Philly Steaks vs Zoup! Fresh Soup Company including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Charleys Philly Steaks Franchise
Zoup! Fresh Soup Company Franchise
Investment $253,231 - $637,568$355,900 - $648,500
Franchise Fee $24,500$39,900
Royalty Fee 6%6%
Advertising Fee 0.25%1%
Year Founded 19861998
Year Franchised 19912003
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 years, Renewable for 3 additional 5 year periods
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 years, Renewable for 3 additional 5 year periods
Renewal Fee $5K-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Charleys Philly Steaks Franchise
Zoup! Fresh Soup Company Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Restaurant experience is helpful but not required
  • Strong Management Skills Important
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Charleys Philly Steaks Franchise
    Zoup! Fresh Soup Company Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/YesNo/Yes
    Payroll No/YesNo/Yes

    Training & Support
     
    Charleys Philly Steaks Franchise
    Zoup! Fresh Soup Company Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 120 hours Classroom Training: 60 hours On-The-Job Training: 72 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet PlatformPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter 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

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 20

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		 30% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10 - 14

    Absentee Ownership Allowed


    Expansion Plans
     
    Charleys Philly Steaks Franchise
    Zoup! Fresh Soup Company Franchise
    US Expansion YesNo
    Canada Expansion NoYes
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About Charleys Philly Steaks

    Visits to his relatives near Philadelphia inspired Charley Shin's entrepreneurial spirit, and he saw his future in cheesesteak sandwiches. In 1986, Shin opened his first Charley's Steakery at Ohio State University. The then-22-year-old's restaurant became an instant hit with professors and students. Since then Shin has expanded to locations nationwide. In 1999, he was named Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young.

    The #1 Cheesesteak in the World

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of CPS Restaurant is $253,231 to $570,540 (excluding real estate and related costs). This includes $24,500 that must be paid to the franchisor.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a CPSC Restaurant is $458,996 to $637,568 (excluding real estate and related costs). This includes $24,500 that must be paid to the franchisor.

    Veteran Incentives   50% off franchise fee

    ""  "Entrepreneur
    #126 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #294 in Franchise 500 for 2021.







    About Zoup! Fresh Soup Company

    The first Zoup! opened in 1998 in Southfield, MI, a suburb of Detroit. Over the next five years, the founders opened five more Detroit-area locations, and in 2003 they began to franchise the concept. Zoup! restaurants feature 12 rotating daily varieties of soup, including low-fat, vegetarian, gluten and dairy free options. Made-to-order salads, sandwiches and baked goods are also available.

    Seeking new franchise units in Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Midwest, Northeast, West, Canada
    Veteran Incentives  $2,500 off franchise fee

    "Top
    #53 in Gator's Top franchises.