Zoup! Fresh Soup Company vs Erik's DeliCafe Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Zoup! Fresh Soup Company vs Erik's DeliCafe including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Zoup! Fresh Soup Company Franchise
Erik's DeliCafe Franchise
Investment $355,900 - $648,500$303,500 - $521,600
Franchise Fee $39,900$35,000
Royalty Fee 6%5%
Advertising Fee 1%-
Year Founded 19981973
Year Franchised 20031986
Term Of Agreement 5 years, Renewable for 3 additional 5 year periods10 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years, Renewable for 3 additional 5 year periods10 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Zoup! Fresh Soup Company Franchise
Erik's DeliCafe Franchise
Experience
  • Restaurant experience is helpful but not required
  • Strong Management Skills Important

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    Zoup! Fresh Soup Company Franchise
    Erik's DeliCafe Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/No
    Equipment No/YesNo/No
    Inventory No/YesNo/No
    Receivables No/YesNo/No
    Payroll No/YesNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Zoup! Fresh Soup Company Franchise
    Erik's DeliCafe Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 72 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours -
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app Co-op advertising, Ad slicks
    Operations 30% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10 - 14

    Absentee Ownership Allowed

    78% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 16

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Zoup! Fresh Soup Company Franchise
    Erik's DeliCafe Franchise
    US Expansion NoYes
    Canada Expansion YesNo
    International Expansion NoNo

    Company Overviews

    About Zoup! Fresh Soup Company

    The first Zoup! opened in 1998 in Southfield, MI, a suburb of Detroit. Over the next five years, the founders opened five more Detroit-area locations, and in 2003 they began to franchise the concept. Zoup! restaurants feature 12 rotating daily varieties of soup, including low-fat, vegetarian, gluten and dairy free options. Made-to-order salads, sandwiches and baked goods are also available.

    Seeking new franchise units in Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Midwest, Northeast, West, Canada
    Veteran Incentives  $2,500 off franchise fee

    "Top
    #53 in Gator's Top franchises.

    About Erik's DeliCafe

    After receiving his bachelor's degree in business and marketing, Erik Johnson tried his hand at accounting, security, food service and real estate before purchasing a 600-square-foot store in Scotts Valley, California, back in 1973. With help from his family, Johnson founded Erik's Deli Cafe, a quick-service and catering restaurant that served sandwiches, salads, soups and baked goods.

    Johnson expanded his chain throughout Northern California before selling the first franchise in 1986.