Johnny Rockets vs Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Johnny Rockets vs Red Robin Gourmet Burgers including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Johnny Rockets Franchise
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Franchise
Investment $581,000 - $877,000$1,865,000 - $4,115,000
Franchise Fee $49,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 5%4%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19861969
Year Franchised 19870
Term Of Agreement 10 years w/two 5-year options-
Term Of Agreement 10 years w/two 5-year options-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Johnny Rockets Franchise
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Franchise
Experience You and/or a business partner(s) must have at least two years restaurant owner/operator experience.

You and/or a business partner(s) must have a net worth of $500 thousand per unit, and available liquid capital of $200 thousand per unit, or more, (net worth of $1.5 million per unit, and available liquid capital of $500 thousand per unit, or more, outside of the U.S.), in order to qualify for development of up to five units.

Development of six units or more will be considered on a case by case basis, pending your net worth and available liquid capital.

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Financing Options

 
Johnny Rockets Franchise
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers 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

 
Johnny Rockets Franchise
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Franchise
Training --
Support Meetings, Grand opening, Field operations/evaluations-
Marketing National media, Regional advertising-
Operations Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 95% of all franchisees own more than one unit

Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 48 - 53

Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (98% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

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Expansion Plans

 
Johnny Rockets Franchise
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Franchise
US Expansion -No
Canada Expansion NoNo
International Expansion YesNo

Company Overviews

About Johnny Rockets

Johnny Rockets is an international restaurant chain that offers the food, fun and friendliness of classic, timeless, feel-good Americana. Every Johnny Rockets restaurant serves simple, great-tasting food from a menu of all-American favorites, including our juicy hamburgers, crispy American Fries, classic sandwiches and rich, delicious hand-dipped shakes and malts. It's the place to go for friendly service, flavorful food, uplifting music and relaxed, casual fun. With annual sales in excess of $300 million, Johnny Rockets is a time-tested brand with an extraordinarily high awareness level, a loyal customer base and a broad demographic appeal. The all-American theme is one that has proven to be universal and that leaps across all geographic and cultural boundaries. It easily translates into any language and relates to the best concepts of America, around the globe. Throughout the world, people appreciate the stereotypical home-cooked goodness of classic comfort foods; smiling, outgoing service and a bright, clean, cheerful atmosphere.

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About Red Robin Gourmet Burgers

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers was founded in 1969. It is a casual dining restaurant chain that serves up wholesome, fun, feel-good experiences in a family-friendly environment. Red Robin restaurants are famous for serving more than 22 high-quality gourmet burgers in a variety of recipes with Bottomless Steak Fries, as well as salads, soups, appetizers, entrees, desserts, and signature Mad Mixology Beverages. There are more than 360 Red Robin restaurants located across the United States and Canada, which include both corporate-owned locations and those operating under franchise or license agreements.

The initial franchise fee is $35,000. The total investment necessary to begin operation of a RED ROBINĀ® RESTAURANT ranges from $2,220,000 to $4,115,000 for a freestanding prototype building, or $1,865,000 to $3,635,000 for a standard-size, in-line space prototype or for a mid-size, in-line space prototype.
These ranges include the initial franchise fee of $35,000 that you must pay to the franchisor but does not include the cost of buying, building or renting the restaurant location and the cost to obtain a liquor license.

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