Uno Chicago Grill vs Blaze Pizza Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Uno Chicago Grill vs Blaze Pizza including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Uno Chicago Grill Franchise
Blaze Pizza Franchise
Investment $1,168,000 - $2,410,500$545,500 - $1,210,500
Franchise Fee $40,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee -2%
Year Founded 19432012
Year Franchised 19802012
Term Of Agreement -10 years
Term Of Agreement -10 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Uno Chicago Grill Franchise
Blaze Pizza Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • Restaurant/hospitality experience
    		•  Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza is seeking multi-unit development partners. To be considered, our franchise candidates will preferably meet the following criteria:
  • You must commit to spending 100% of your time in the day to day operation of your restaurant(s). Alternatively, you may designate an Operating Principal to fill this role. (This person should have at least 10% equity in the franchise).
  • You or your Operating Principal should have a proven track record as a multi-unit owner or operator in QSR, fast-casual or restaurant dining.
  • You or your Operating Principal should have familiarity with the trade area that you plan to develop.
  • You, your Operating Principal and all of your partners must demonstrate the enthusiasm, drive and passion required to operate a Blaze Pizza restaurant to our high standards.
  • Including all your partners, you should have a minimum liquidity of $250k (i.e. cash reserves) per restaurant to be developed.

    • Financing Options
     
    Uno Chicago Grill Franchise
    Blaze Pizza Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/-
    Start-up Costs No/No-/-
    Equipment No/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/No-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support
     
    Uno Chicago Grill Franchise
    Blaze Pizza Franchise
    Training -On-The-Job Training: 60 hours Classroom Training: 20 hours
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives

    You get access to our brand, recipes & procedures, vendors, training, store build-out & trade dress, website, social media, online ordering, gift card program, etc. Most importantly, you get to be a part of a dynamic organization that is dedicated to serving custom-built, artisanal pizza in a completely new way. Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingAd Templates Social media SEO Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 40% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 60 - 80

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (65% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    Uno Chicago Grill Franchise
    Blaze Pizza Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Uno Chicago Grill

    Ike Sewell combined old Italian recipes with meats, vegetables, spices and cheese and created the first deep dish pizza in 1943. He opened Pizzeria Uno to serve his creation to pizza lovers throughout Chicago. The new restaurant became so popular that Sewell opened Pizzeria Due on an opposite corner from his original restaurant to handle customer demand. Over 60 years later, the restaurant is now called Uno Chicago Grill and has evolved to offer a variety of grill items like steak, ribs, seafood and pastas in addition to its famous Chicago-style deep dish pizza.

    The initial investment necessary to begin operation of a Pizzeria Uno Restaurant ranges from $545,500 to $1,405,500. This includes $43,100 to $59,300 that must be paid to the franchisor.
    The initial investment necessary to begin operation of an Uno Pizzeria & Grill Restaurant ranges from $1,168,000 to $2,410,500. This includes $57,100 to $99,300 that must be paid to the franchisor.
    The franchisor offers development rights for Uno Restaurants. When you enter into a Development Agreement, you must pay the franchisor a Territory Reservation Fee equal to $5,000 times the number of Uno Restaurants you will own and operate. In addition to the Territory Reservation Fee, you must pay the franchisor an Initial Franchise Fee of $30,000 for each Pizzeria Uno Restaurant and $40,000 for each Uno Pizzeria & Grill Restaurant that you will own and operate.

    About Blaze Pizza

    IT'S A PIZZA JOINT WITH A MORE CURRENT TWIST. The concept is centered around delivering an unbelievably great pizza - crazy fast - and a great deal of attention has been put against speed of service. Menu boards are prominently placed, simple and easy to navigate. Our 8 signature pizzas give customers a suggested starting point for their perfect pie, making ordering even easier. Our goal is for guests to spend their time enjoying their meal - not waiting for it.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Blaze Pizza Restaurant franchised business is between $541,500 and $1,150,500. This includes $20,960 to $30,960 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate(s). The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Blaze Pizza Area Development franchised business ranges from $548,000 and $1,210,500. This includes $26,920 to $84,600 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate(s). The total investment necessary for an Area Development franchised business includes the investment necessary to begin operation of one Restaurant, plus a development fee of $5,000 multiplied by the number of Restaurants (excluding the first Restaurant) which you must open. The high estimate includes the development fee if you elect to open ten Restaurants.

    "Entrepreneur
    #99 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
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