Marco's vs Potbelly Sandwich Shop Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Marco's vs Potbelly Sandwich Shop including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Marco's Franchise
Potbelly Sandwich Shop Franchise
Investment $223,535 - $586,410$534,950 - $874,000
Franchise Fee $25,000$40,000
Royalty Fee 5.5%6%
Advertising Fee 5%Up to 4%
Year Founded 19781977
Year Franchised 19792009
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee $3K or 25% of fee-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Marco's Franchise
Potbelly Sandwich Shop Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
    		• Potbelly is looking for "Potbelly People" to become franchisees. That means people that love working with a team, have solid business experience (not necessarily in restaurants), the financial qualifications, possess personal motivation and have been successful. Our franchise owner/operator model is a two person team. Whether a family partnership or a business partnership we are looking for an operating team that wants to be owners of the neighborhood sandwich shop within their community.

    Financing Options
     
    Marco's Franchise
    Potbelly Sandwich Shop Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/Yes-/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/Yes
    Equipment No/Yes-/Yes
    Inventory No/Yes-/Yes
    Receivables No/No-/Yes
    Payroll No/No-/Yes

    Training & Support
     
    Marco's Franchise
    Potbelly Sandwich Shop Franchise
    Training -

    All new franchisees participate in a 10-12 week training program. This consists of real life experience in one of our company-owned training shops. In addition, we will train your key holding employees for 6 weeks at one of our company-owned training shops. Once completed, franchisees receive regular updates to their training along with our company-owned stores, including regular on site reviews. On-The-Job Training: 355 hours Classroom Training: 80 hours

    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertisingAd Templates Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations 60% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 20

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

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    Marco's Franchise
    Potbelly Sandwich Shop Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About Marco's

    Among the main 25 pizza establishments in the United States, just a single was established by a local Italian: Marco's Pizza®. Pasquale "Pat" Giammarco moved to America with his family at 9 and began his first pizza eatery in 1978 in Toledo, Ohio. In the event that you've ever needed to possess a business that serves sustenance you're glad to put your name behind, Marco's might be the correct business open door for you.

    Marco's prides itself on credible Italian artisan pizza, made with new, genuine fixings and mixture made in the store day by day. When 91% of Americans eat pizza at any rate once every month, more individuals are progressively picking the quality pizza that is synonymous with the Marco's name.

    Dissimilar to the biggest pizza chains, which have maximized a number of their regions, Marco's has a lot of chances for development. We're in 34 states and three nations, and we're forcefully wanting to cut out a greater bit of the $46 billion pizza industry.

    Americans are choosier about what they serve their families, and they need their food to be high caliber, as well. Marco's hasn't needed to do a noteworthy picture makeover for its pizza in light of the fact that Marco's has dependably been centered around serving the most astounding quality pizza utilizing the best accessible fixings.

    That mission, joined with our one of a kind limit with respect to colossal development, implies you can get in on a ground-floor opportunity with Marco's. Opening a Marco's Pizza® is moderately reasonable contrasted with the cost of beginning other easygoing eateries, and proprietors don't require earlier eatery encounter. We teach all our establishment proprietors on all that they have to know.

    In case you're longing for owning a business, or even a few on the double, Marco's might be the ideal place for you to flourish. Unlike the largest pizza chains, which have maxed out many of their territories, Marco’s has plenty of opportunities for growth.

    Veteran Incentives  $10,000 off franchise fee; franchisee fee waived for veterans with service-related disabilities
    "Top                    ""          "Entrepreneur
    #13 in Gator's Top franchises.
    #83 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #92 in Franchise 500 for 2021.




    About Potbelly Sandwich Shop

    From its humble beginnings as a small antique store on Chicago's North Side, Potbelly has grown from one to more than 200 shops serving neighborhoods in 12 states. Potbelly's unique experience is defined by its combination of toasty warm sandwiches, hand-dipped shakes, tasty made-to-order salads, live local music, as well as friendly and lively people. Potbelly has built a passionate, loyal following of fans that spread the word about the fun, energetic atmosphere and great food.

    #131 in Franchise 500 for 2020.