Chicken Delight vs Round Table Pizza Franchise Comparison

When Al Tunick bought some deep fryers from a company that was going out of business, he didn't quite know what to do with them. With the help of some friends, Tunick began experimenting, trying to cook different foods in the fryers. The entrepreneur found his answer in chicken, and in 1952, Chicken Delight was born. The company quickly expanded throughout the United States and first moved into Canada in 1958.

Winnipeg entrepreneur Otto Koch purchased his first Chicken Delight franchise in 1969. Seeing the potential of the chain in Canada, Koch built and acquired additional franchise locations and in 1976 bought Chicken Delight of Canada Ltd. By providing quality service and cleanliness, the Canadian operation prospered. This success led to Koch’s acquisition of the U.S. and International arm - Chicken Delight International Inc. in 1979. For the first time the total Chicken Delight system was under one roof. Otto Koch passed away in December 2010 - but that wasn’t the end for Chicken Delight. Winnipeg couple Jim and Nadine Cartman became the new owners of Chicken Delight in June 2012. Under their leadership, Chicken Delight is now undergoing a brand refresh with focus on renovating existing stores, adding new menu items and improving customer service.

The Cartmans and their team keep a close eye on the marketplace and are constantly looking to expand Chicken Delight through franchising.

Chicken Delight features a menu of fried chicken, pizza and ribs for dine-in, delivery and takeout.

Round Table Pizza is the fifth largest pizza chain in the U.S. with over 500 restaurants in nine western states and five foreign countries. Headquartered in Concord, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area, Round Table has built a reputation as the pizza brand of choice and market share leader in the most competitive and discriminating restaurant markets in the country. We are recognized throughout the West for gourmet taste, quality and menu innovation. The key differentiator between Round Table and other branded pizza chains is our product. Every Round Table restaurant rolls fresh dough every day and tops every pie with fresh cheese and only the freshest ingredients. In this day and age of frozen dough, frozen cheese and frozen toppings, Round Table is unique in the pizza segment. One of the major reasons for the success of the Round Table brand is our franchise owners and their strong commitment to product quality, service and proactive local community involvement. We are committed to franchising as our primary business model. Approximately 80% of Round Table restaurant businesses are owned and operated by franchisees. Our evaluation and selection of new franchise candidates is based upon a number of different factors. We look for individuals with a track record of success in business, the ability to manage and develop people and strong customer service skills. Foodservice industry experience as an owner/operator or manager with P & L responsibility is strongly required. Round Table is seeking qualified individuals who want to partner with a proven brand leader in the pizza segment to join our system.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Restaurant that offers and sells menu items for dining at the Restaurant premises as well as via delivery and carryout services (the “Dine-In Model”), is $471,500 to $1,061,250, which includes $25,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliate prior to opening; and a Restaurant that is only authorized to offer and sell menu items for delivery and carry out from the Restaurant premises (a “DCU Model”) is $327,300 to $510,250, which includes $25,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliate prior to opening.

#172 in Franchise 500 for 2020.