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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Johnny Rockets vs Lindy - Gertie's including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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Investment | $581,000 - $877,000 | $49,000 - And Up |
Franchise Fee | $49,000 | $9,500 |
Royalty Fee | 5% | - |
Advertising Fee | - | 2% |
Year Founded | 1986 | - |
Year Franchised | 1987 | - |
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 |
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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. | - |
Financing Options |
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In-House/3rd Party | In-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 |
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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) | - |
Expansion Plans |
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US Expansion | - | - |
Canada Expansion | No | - |
International Expansion | Yes | - |
In 1974, businessman Joseph Yesutis fulfilled a life-long dream by purchasing the Lindy's Chili Company and the Gertie's Ice Cream Company. This dream, however, did not include putting the two concepts together. Only after analyzing the unique qualities of each business did he conceive of his remarkable innovation.
Lindy's Chili was drawing huge lunch and dinner crowds, but slowed in the evenings. On the other hand, Gertie's Ice Cream did great business in the evenings when customers crowded in.
Additionally, there was seasonal factors that effected business. Cold Chicago winters bolstered chili sales, while ice cream sales declined. And, of course, in the summer, ice cream soared past chili sales.
Combining the two companies into a single specialty food business initially drew many puzzled looks.Even more remarkable, chili and ice cream proved to be
a delicious combination!
The new Lindy Gertie's customers discovered that a bowl of
the hot and spicy chili followed by a cool, refreshing ice cream was indeed a unusually
satisfying experience.