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Updated RecentlyPanera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company vs Big Dad's Pies Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company vs Big Dad's Pies including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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| Investment | $1,010,985 - $2,252,846 | $220,000 - $250,000 |
| Franchise Fee | $35,000 | N/A |
| Royalty Fee | 5% | - |
| Advertising Fee | - | - |
| Year Founded | 1987 | - |
| Year Franchised | 1993 | - |
| Term Of Agreement | 20 years | - |
| Term Of Agreement | 20 years | - |
| Renewal Fee | - | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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| 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 | No special education or prior experience in our type of business is required for a person to be considered as a possible Big Dad�s Pies franchisee. Even if you haven�t worked in retail before, we will ensure you the opportunity to succeed. It is essential that our franchisees become personally involved in every facet of their business. You should be willing and able to perform all sales, on-site production and other functions required on a daily basis. By recruiting, training and retaining quality staff, the individual demands on you can be lessened, but your personal involvement is essential to maximise the potential of your business. |
Financing Options |
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| In-House/3rd Party | In-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 |
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| Training | - | - |
| Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations | We provide a comprehensive franchise support program: * Regular support & supervision from the franchise team through site visits and telephone support * Ongoing business advice & coaching on how to operate the franchise and improve your bottom line * Assistance with your individual strategic plan * Local Marketing advise specific to your store * Continual improvements & updates to the Franchisee Operations Manual * Research & development of new products * Regular quality control in shop standards across the total franchise network * Quarterly business operations review for every franchisee * Weekly franchisee newsletter * Latest equipment advice * Negotiating product supply agreements |
| Marketing | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising | We nurture the Big Dad's brand in a number of ways, including: * Point of sale displays * Cross media advertising including newspapers, radio, billboards & flyers * Production of quality advertising & promotional materials * Good internet presence * Excellent signage at every location * Special offers to customers |
| 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) | - |
Expansion Plans |
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| 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 Big Dad's Pies
Over the last few years, Big Dad's Pies has been developing the business with an increased emphasis in establishing well-branded and easily accessed Pie Shops.
National expansion plans are now a reality with the recently completed Heathwood manufacturing facility, which includes five large SNAP freezers. The SNAP freezers (a $500 000 investment), which were commissioned in December 2008, will enable products to be produced in advance and stored in the freezers so that not only will product shortage never be a problem, but now products can be delivered to stores at greater distances away from the manufacturing facility. Previously stores had to be located within a 20 km radius to the manufacturing facility to ensure a fresh product could be delivered each day. Now product can be produced, frozen and then delivered via freezer trucks to stores around Australia.
Benefits of owning a Big Dad's Pie Shop
* Excellent range of products
* No trade qualifications needed
* Low operating costs
* Strong, yet managed growth
* Operate out of sites from 60m2
* Work well as both stand alone and strip mall sites without the demands of shopping centre food courts
* High customer service standards
* Excellent well managed branding
* Upfront and ongoing training
* Benefits of group purchasing
* Site identification, lease negotiation & store design
* Excellent support & leadership
* Ready to bake products
* Is a turn-key operation
* Standardised products & systems
* Cash based takings
* Professionally developed franchise system
* Comprehensive operations manual
* Modern well-equipped new store
* Ongoing research and development
* Touch screen Point of Sale system with excellent reporting capabilities