Zoup! Fresh Soup Company vs Tom and Chee Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Zoup! Fresh Soup Company vs Tom and Chee including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
Investment |
$355,900 - $648,500 | $302,700 - $456,000 |
Franchise Fee |
$39,900 | $30,000 |
Royalty Fee |
6% | - |
Advertising Fee |
1% | - |
Year Founded |
1998 | 2012 |
Year Franchised |
2003 | 2017 |
Term Of Agreement |
5 years, Renewable for 3 additional 5 year periods | - |
Term Of Agreement |
5 years, Renewable for 3 additional 5 year periods | - |
Renewal Fee |
- | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
Experience |
Restaurant experience is helpful but not required
Strong Management Skills Important | - |
Financing Options |
|
In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party |
Franchise Fees |
No/Yes | -/- |
Start-up Costs |
No/Yes | -/- |
Equipment |
No/Yes | -/- |
Inventory |
No/Yes | -/- |
Receivables |
No/Yes | -/- |
Payroll |
No/Yes | -/- |
Training & Support |
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
| - |
Marketing |
Co-op Advertising
Ad Templates
National Media
Regional Advertising
Social media
SEO
Website development
Email marketing
Loyalty program/app
| - |
Operations |
30% of all franchisees own more than one unit
Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10 - 14
Absentee Ownership Allowed
| - |
Expansion Plans |
US Expansion |
No | Yes |
Canada Expansion |
Yes | - |
International Expansion |
No | - |
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
#53 in Gator's Top franchises.
About Tom and Chee
After expanding to more than 12 locations across seven states,
Tom & Chee is poised for a new era of rapid growth. With a simplified
business model, state-of-the-art training and technology, a new menu and
restaurant design, and new leadership with over 50+ years in the
franchise industry, Tom & Chee is ready to welcome passionate
franchisees who want to own a business that brings joy and love to their
communities. Here’s why Tom & Chee stands out as a wise sandwich & grilled cheese franchise investment:
- An innovative, playful menu unlike anything else in the trending sandwich industry
- Tremendous national brand recognition from appearances on Shark Tank and other national media
- Exceptional support from leadership team with 50+ years of experience
- A low-cost investment with tremendous profit potential
- A straightforward business model makes owning a Tom & Chee easier than ever before
“Tom & Chee is creating a new category within the sandwich space,” says
Roger David, CEO & President of Tom & Chee. “There’s something
really special about our brand. We’re changing the game with our
sandwich & grilled cheese franchise. It’s new, but also nostalgic.
When our customers taste our food they think of Mom. They think of
childhood with grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. We have
created such a unique menu, with wonderful recipes and food made fresh
in-house, and now we have a robust culture of franchise support that is
going to take Tom & Chee to the next level. We’re looking for
franchisees who are food-centric. If you love food, love people and love
community, then you should be a part of a Tom & Chee.”
The estimated initial investment necessary to begin operation of a Tom & Chee Restaurant franchise ranges from $302,700 to $456,000. This
includes $30,000 (if this is the first Tom & Chee franchise you have
purchased), $15,000 (if this is your second, third or fourth Tom & Chee franchise you have purchased) or $5,000 (if this is your fifth or
greater Tom & Chee franchise you have purchased) that must be paid to
the franchisor. The estimated initial investment does not include real
estate, related improvement costs or tenant improvement allowances.