Sonic Drive In vs Bagger Daves Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Sonic Drive In vs Bagger Daves including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Sonic Drive In Franchise
Bagger Daves Franchise
Investment $1,242,000 - $3,523,300N/A
Franchise Fee $45,000N/A
Royalty Fee 2.45-5%-
Advertising Fee 3%-
Year Founded 1954-
Year Franchised 1959-
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Renewal Fee 10 years for $6K-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Sonic Drive In Franchise
Bagger Daves Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • If no industry experience, must have an operating equity partner

    • Although new to franchising, Bagger Dave's has seen a high level of interest in franchising the concept. To measure a candidate's qualifications, we have established both net worth and liquid asset are a minimum of $300,000 per store and a net worth per store of $1,200,000. We also require that no more than 80% of the start-up costs be leveraged; 20% of any single stores start-up costs must be in liquid assets.

    Financing Options
     
    Sonic Drive In Franchise
    Bagger Daves Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/Yes-/-
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
    Equipment No/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/Yes-/-
    Receivables No/Yes-/-
    Payroll No/Yes-/-

    Training & Support
     
    Sonic Drive In Franchise
    Bagger Daves Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 400 hours Classroom Training: 24 hours Additional Training: At existing franchise location -
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Franchisee Intranet Platform -
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Email marketing Loyalty program/app -
    Operations International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 60% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 25

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed.

    Each franchise restaurant location must at all times have a full-time, qualified, experienced General Manager (GM). The GM must have direct experience in unit-level management within the restaurant industry. Each franchise group must also have a person with multi-unit restaurant management experience. If you do not personally have this background and experience, you will be required to have what we call an "Operating Partner." Your Operating Partner will be responsible for operations of your franchised restaurant network. It is your responsibility to secure an Operating Partner if you do not have the substantive experience required

    Expansion Plans
     
    Sonic Drive In Franchise
    Bagger Daves Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion No-

    Company Overviews

    About Sonic Drive In

    Sonic Industries Inc. was founded in 1973. In 1974, Sonic acquired the name 'Sonic Drive-In' from Troy Smith, Sr., and began franchising. Smith used his more than 15 years of experience in the restaurant business to develop and operate the Sonic franchise program. A wholly owned subsidiary of Sonic Corp., the company is based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and has locations throughout the United States. The company's storefronts recently got a facelift to give them a 'retro-futuristic' look.

    Your estimated initial investment necessary to begin operation of a Traditional Sonic Drive-In franchise ranges from approximately $1,242,200 to $3,537,700 plus land costs and includes the $45,000 franchise fee that must be paid to Sonic.
    Your estimated initial investment necessary to begin operation of a Non-Traditional Sonic franchise ranges from approximately $361,900 to $978,700 and includes the $22,500 franchise fee that must be paid to Sonic.

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    About Bagger Daves

    Bagger Dave's Franchising Corporation has: *More than 50 years combined experience in restaurant management and operations *Proven track record of aggressively developing multi-unit restaurant systems *Infrastructure in place for the development of the brand and to support the franchisee community *Commitment to guest service, food quality, communication, and support We're looking for experienced restaurant operators to grow the Bagger Dave's burger franchise concept.