Steak n Shake vs Windmill Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Steak n Shake vs Windmill including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Steak n Shake Franchise
Windmill Franchise
Investment $672,000 - $1,835,000$127,500 - $322,500
Franchise Fee $25,000 - $40,000$27,500
Royalty Fee 5.5%5%
Advertising Fee -4%
Year Founded 1934-
Year Franchised 1945-
Term Of Agreement -10 years
Term Of Agreement -10 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Steak n Shake Franchise
Windmill Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
Steak n Shake Franchise
Windmill 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

 
Steak n Shake Franchise
Windmill Franchise
Training -The WindMill training program is designed to take you from the ground up. Each individual franchisee will receive a hand-tailored program based upon their prior knowledge. Training is conducted in a corporate-owned restaurant and a minimum of eighty hours is required.
Support � Unparalleled Operations Support - A Steak n Shake Manager of Field Operations will help you open your restaurant and will be available for consultation with day-to-day operations. To help ensure a smooth restaurant opening experience, Steak n Shake will provide your first training hours via seasoned Steak n Shake trainers/staff. You will also receive our Operating Standards System, Manager-in-Training and Management Development Programs. Through your Manager of Field Operations, you will have the multi-functional resources of the Steak n Shake Company working on your behalf.-
Marketing � World Class Marketing - The Steak n Shake marketing is directed toward building brand loyalty and is not price-driven or reliant on low price discounting. Steak n Shake's television and print marketing are product-benefit directed, showing why Steak n Shake is superior to fast food alternatives with a fun, irreverent, tongue-in-cheek humorous approach. Sample television spots are available on this website for your viewing pleasure. The Marketing System is user-friendly and designed for the success of Franchisees. -
Operations --

Expansion Plans

 
Steak n Shake Franchise
Windmill Franchise
US Expansion Yes-
Canada Expansion No-
International Expansion No-

Company Overviews

About Steak n Shake

Benefits of Franchising The benefits of franchising with Steak n Shake can't be duplicated:
* Proven Concept - The Steak n Shake concept has withstood all types of economic circumstances and continually emerged stronger and stronger.
* Growing - Since 1996, Steak n Shake system-wide sales have grown from $268 million to $549 million. In the past decade, the chain has doubled in size.
* Huge, Untapped Development Potential - Steak n Shake currently operates over 490 restaurants in just 20 states. Looking ahead, we forecast that Steak n Shake has the potential to develop over 1,000 units nationwide.
* Unique Niche Positioning - There is no single offering that is a head-on alternative to our restaurant concept. Steak n Shake serves a distinct niche in the mid-scale, casual dining segment of the restaurant industry.
* Core Products that Generate a Strong Loyal Following - The core of the Steak n Shake menu includes STEAKBURGERS, thin and crispy French Fries, Chili, and Hand-dipped Milk Shakes.
* Product Development - Steak n Shake has a pipeline of new products that build on core products consumers love. Recent innovations have included new Side-by-Side Milkshakes and Sippable Sundaes.

Future innovations will include more milkshake innovation, burger news, and health conscious offerings. All of these benefits equal a great chance at success in the restaurant business. The only thing missing is you.

About Windmill

Your Own WindMill Franchise! Call 800-558-3608 for Franchise Information
Nothing compares to the WindMill food experience and nothing will compare with the satisfaction that you will derive from being an owner of a WindMill franchise.
Totally Committed to YOUR Success... The WindMill team is totally committed to your success and to the success of your restaurant. Our experts will be able to take you from beginner to expert in just thirty days! They will also be able to provide you with just the right amount of support during each phase of the opening. They are prepared to offer comprehensive support to those new to the industry, and to the more experienced franchisee, just the guidance and support unique to the WindMill operation.
WindMill Gourmet Fast Food is simply that; "food that is of the highest quality and perfectly prepared. "WindMill private label Bigger! Better! Hot Dogs are prepared in a northern New Jersey plant and shipped to the WindMill Distribution Center. WindMill Fresh Meat 100% Beef Burgers are ground by local butchers and delivered directly to the stores on a day-to-day basis. The entree menu is rounded out by Charbroiled Gourmet Chicken Breasts, second to none; custom-cut Rib-Eye Steak Sandwiches; a limited variety of other tasty entree sandwiches and in some locations, fresh salads.
Boasting almost as much popularity as the WindMill Hot Dogs are the WindMill French Fries. Our golden crinkle-cut fries smothered with savory cheese sauce (a tradition developed in the original WindMill over thirty years ago) has helped to put the WindMills in a fast food category all by themselves!