CiCi's Pizza vs Blaze Pizza Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
CiCi's Pizza Franchise
Blaze Pizza Franchise
Investment $209,962 - $1,056,527$545,500 - $1,210,500
Franchise Fee $30,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 4 - 6%5%
Advertising Fee greater of $2300 or 3% of sales2%
Year Founded 19852012
Year Franchised 19872012
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
CiCi's Pizza Franchise
Blaze Pizza Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
    		•  Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza is seeking multi-unit development partners. To be considered, our franchise candidates will preferably meet the following criteria:
  • You must commit to spending 100% of your time in the day to day operation of your restaurant(s). Alternatively, you may designate an Operating Principal to fill this role. (This person should have at least 10% equity in the franchise).
  • You or your Operating Principal should have a proven track record as a multi-unit owner or operator in QSR, fast-casual or restaurant dining.
  • You or your Operating Principal should have familiarity with the trade area that you plan to develop.
  • You, your Operating Principal and all of your partners must demonstrate the enthusiasm, drive and passion required to operate a Blaze Pizza restaurant to our high standards.
  • Including all your partners, you should have a minimum liquidity of $250k (i.e. cash reserves) per restaurant to be developed.

    • Financing Options
     
    CiCi's Pizza Franchise
    Blaze Pizza 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
     
    CiCi's Pizza Franchise
    Blaze Pizza Franchise
    Training 8-12 week training process (the VP of Training may require additional training at his/her discretion, as successful completion of training is based on proficiency)On-The-Job Training: 60 hours Classroom Training: 20 hours
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations

    You get access to our brand, recipes & procedures, vendors, training, store build-out & trade dress, website, social media, online ordering, gift card program, etc. Most importantly, you get to be a part of a dynamic organization that is dedicated to serving custom-built, artisanal pizza in a completely new way. Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing National advertisingAd Templates Social media SEO Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations 60% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 25-30

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    CiCi's Pizza Franchise
    Blaze Pizza Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About CiCi's Pizza

    Hi Welcome to CiCi's! - An endless pizza, pasta, salad & dessert buffet loved by families for delivering unbelievable value. CiCi's is also an unbelievable opportunity for passionate entrepreneurs who are looking to build their own business and take control of their financial futures. Entrepreneur Magazine ranked CiCi's as the top brand in the Italian restaurant franchise category & the Wall Street Journal's guide for entrepreneurs ranked CiCi's as one of the top 25 highest performing Brands in the nation. Join the CiCi's Family & you'll have access to state of the art systems and people to help you realize your full potential as a CiCi's Franchisee. At 650+ stores, CiCi's size & scale provides the system great buying power that keeps costs low and enables National TV Advertising. But it's also small enough to provide Franchisees hands-on guidance in site selection, store Operations/Training & local store marketing. There are Franchise opportunities available now! Visit www.cicispizza.com.

    The total initial investment necessary to begin operation of your Cicis Restaurant ranges from $697,500 to $1,056,527. These totals include approximately $208,485 to $279,942 that must/may be paid to the franchisor or their affiliate.
    The total initial investment necessary to begin operation of your Cicis To Go Restaurant ranges from $209,962 to $399,774. These totals include approximately $101,973 to $130,843 that must/may be paid to the franchisor or their affiliate.

    About Blaze Pizza

    IT'S A PIZZA JOINT WITH A MORE CURRENT TWIST. The concept is centered around delivering an unbelievably great pizza - crazy fast - and a great deal of attention has been put against speed of service. Menu boards are prominently placed, simple and easy to navigate. Our 8 signature pizzas give customers a suggested starting point for their perfect pie, making ordering even easier. Our goal is for guests to spend their time enjoying their meal - not waiting for it.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Blaze Pizza Restaurant franchised business is between $541,500 and $1,150,500. This includes $20,960 to $30,960 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate(s). The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Blaze Pizza Area Development franchised business ranges from $548,000 and $1,210,500. This includes $26,920 to $84,600 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate(s). The total investment necessary for an Area Development franchised business includes the investment necessary to begin operation of one Restaurant, plus a development fee of $5,000 multiplied by the number of Restaurants (excluding the first Restaurant) which you must open. The high estimate includes the development fee if you elect to open ten Restaurants.

    "Entrepreneur
    #99 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #156 in Franchise 500 for 2021.