Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company vs Great American Bagel Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company vs Great American Bagel including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company Franchise
Great American Bagel Franchise
Investment $1,010,985 - $2,252,846$230,000 - $300,000
Franchise Fee $35,000$20,000
Royalty Fee 5%4%
Advertising Fee -2%
Year Founded 19871987
Year Franchised 19930
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company Franchise
Great American Bagel Franchise
Experience

*Experience as a multi-unit restaurant operator *Recognition as a top restaurant operator *Net worth of $7.5 million *Liquid assets of $3 million *Infrastructure and resources to meet our development schedule *Real estate experience in the market to be developed *Total commitment to the development of the Panera Bread brand *Cultural fit and a passion for fresh bread

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Financing Options
 
Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company Franchise
Great American Bagel Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees No/No-/-
Start-up Costs No/No-/-
Equipment No/No-/-
Inventory No/No-/-
Receivables No/No-/-
Payroll No/No-/-

Training & Support
 
Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company Franchise
Great American Bagel Franchise
Training --
Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations-
Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising-
Operations Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 100% of all franchisees own more than one unit

Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 40 - 60

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

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Expansion Plans
 
Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company Franchise
Great American Bagel Franchise
US Expansion Yes-
Canada Expansion No-
International Expansion No-

Company Overviews

About Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company

After more than 17 years in the retail industry, Ken Rosenthal changed gears and founded Saint Louis Bread Co. in 1987. His goal was to create a neighborhood bakery where people could pick up fresh-baked bread, meals and snacks. In 1993, Rosenthal sold Saint Louis Bread to Au Bon Pain Co. Six years later, the company was renamed Panera Bread. The future growth of Panera Bread will be based upon company bakery-cafe development as well as the continued sale of franchise area development agreements. Panera Bread does not sell single-unit franchises, so it is not possible to open just one bakery-cafe. Rather, we have chosen to develop by selling market areas which require the franchise developer to open a number of units, typically 15 bakery-cafes in a period of 6 years. Panera Bread franchises must be well-capitalized to open great bakery-cafes and meet this aggressive development schedule. Additionally, they must have a proven track record as excellent multi-unit restaurant operators to operate great Panera Bread bakery-cafes.

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About Great American Bagel

The Great American Bagel opened its first bagel bakery in 1987 in Westmont, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago.  This store was so well received that within a few short years, The Great American Bagel began opening bagel bakeries throughout Chicago and offering The Great American Bagel franchises to those seeking exciting new business opportunities.  Today, The Great American Bagel proudly operates many restaurants across the United States, Ireland, Canada as well as in the Middle East.