Bennigan's Grill & Tavern vs Friendly's Restaurants Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Bennigan's Grill & Tavern vs Friendly's Restaurants including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Bennigan's Grill & Tavern Franchise
Friendly's Restaurants Franchise
Investment $1,027,075 - $3,588,244$498,500 - $1,950,000
Franchise Fee $35,000$30,000 - $35,000
Royalty Fee 4%4%
Advertising Fee 1%3.5%
Year Founded 19761935
Year Franchised 19761996
Term Of Agreement 15 years20 years
Term Of Agreement 15 years20 years
Renewal Fee -$5K


Business Experience Requirements
 
Bennigan's Grill & Tavern Franchise
Friendly's Restaurants Franchise
Experience

�Has prior management level experience in food service and/or restaurant operations. �Willingness to follow our proven operating system �A solid business person with a strong desire to succeed �Possesses experience in restaurant franchising �Meets the financial requirements


  • Industry experience
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    Financing Options
     
    Bennigan's Grill & Tavern Franchise
    Friendly's Restaurants Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/No
    Equipment No/YesNo/No
    Inventory No/YesNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Bennigan's Grill & Tavern Franchise
    Friendly's Restaurants Franchise
    Training Bennigan's, or a designated third party, will provide training to you and your restaurant team. Your management team will be required to complete a 6 to 8 week training program based on prior experience. Onsite training will be provided to entire team before restaurant opening. All parties must successfully complete the training to the satisfaction of the Bennigan's Operations/Training team prior to opening your restaurant. We believe great training equals lower turnover and stronger guest retention. Therefore, we provide continued support to team members. Bennigan's University, our online learning module, helps drive the retention of both staff and guests.-
    Support For the pre-opening of your first Bennigan's, members of our Operations and Marketing Teams will assist you from 45 days prior to your Grand Opening. Marketing Support: Our goal is to help you successfully market your brand. We put a marketing calendar in place to help drive sales, increase check average and guest count. Marketing tools provided include: Intranet, Email Marketing, Social Media Support, New Photography, Pipeline Items/Menu Development.Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Co-op advertisingAd slicks, National media
    Operations Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 98% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 100

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

    		 Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 62% of all franchisees own more than one unit

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

    Expansion Plans
     
    Bennigan's Grill & Tavern Franchise
    Friendly's Restaurants Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About Bennigan's Grill & Tavern

    Bennigan's was established in Atlanta, Georgia in 1976 by Norman Brinker, a legend among restaurateurs.  Bennigan's is still the iconic brand loved by all and is re-establishing itself as the leader in casual dining. Committed to the welcoming, friendly and festive spirit of Irish Hospitality, Bennigan's offers more generous pours and portions and goes above and beyond the call of duty to deliver Legendary experiences to every guest, every meal, every day. In 2011, Bennigan's began a Legendary comeback by re-energizing the beloved brand with a commitment to bring memorable dining experiences to every guest, every day. This remarkable resurgence began with a brand refresh at the company's two corporate locations and a plan to bring the same menu optimization and service enhancements to current and future franchise partners.
    The mission at Bennigan's is to deliver exceptional service to every guest, every meal, every day. In order to deliver this service, we must remember to focus on those essential elements that will allow us to provide quality service with a bit of Irish hospitality on the side.

    About Friendly's Restaurants

    In Springfield, Massachusetts at the height of the Great Depression in 1935, 20 year-old Prestley Blake and his 18 year-old brother Curtis opened an ice cream shop called 'Friendly' that served double-dip cones for 5 cents. The brothers opened a second shop five years later in West Springfield, Massachusetts and added food to the menu. Within a decade, locations opened throughout western Massachusetts and Connecticut. In 1988 Donald N. Smith, the company's current CEO, purchased the company and a year later added an 's' to the name, making it 'Friendly's.'

    In May 2000, Friendly's introduced a new food and dessert menu featuring colossal burgers, sandwich wraps, splits, sundaes and Cyclones. Friendly's produces 10 million snack cups and 230,000 gallons of fudge every year. In addition to its restaurants and cafes, Friendly's manufactures a complete line of frozen desserts.