Moe's Southwest Grill vs Blue Moon Mexican Cafe Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Moe's Southwest Grill vs Blue Moon Mexican Cafe including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Moe's Southwest Grill Franchise
Blue Moon Mexican Cafe Franchise
Investment $457,400 - $911,500$370,200 - $482,500
Franchise Fee $30,000$40,000
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee 2%2% local+ 1%Nat'l
Year Founded 20001986
Year Franchised 20012002
Term Of Agreement 20 years10 years +5+5
Term Of Agreement 20 years10 years +5+5
Renewal Fee Then-current franchise fee-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Moe's Southwest Grill Franchise
Blue Moon Mexican Cafe Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • Excellent attention to detail
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Moe's Southwest Grill Franchise
    Blue Moon Mexican Cafe 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
     
    Moe's Southwest Grill Franchise
    Blue Moon Mexican Cafe Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training 125 hours Classroom Training: 22.6 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 Phone, email, and periodic on-site visits to your restaurant location. Plus, we regularly update our operations manual with new procedures, recipes, and other information designed to improve operations for all franchisees.
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app -
    Operations 65% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 15

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (80% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    Moe's Southwest Grill Franchise
    Blue Moon Mexican Cafe Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    Company Overviews

    About Moe's Southwest Grill

    In December of 2000 in Atlanta, Ga. a handful of local entrepreneurs created Moe's Southwest Grill in the spirit of not-taking-yourself-too-seriously with menu names like the Homewrecker burrito, Closetalker salad and the Billy Barou nachos as well as a store design that includes abstract artwork with tongue-in-cheek sayings. Maybe it's the personal experience that keeps people coming back for more. Maybe it's the huge selection of customizable Southwest favorites. Or maybe it's the laid-back vibe and signature "Welcome to Moe's" greeting our customers hear each time they walk through the door. Regardless of the reason behind the popularity of the brand, it works - and now, after being purchased by FOCUS Brands, Inc., in August 2007, Moe's has more than 370 locations across the country with plans to grow domestically and internationally. As a testament to the wild popularity of the brand, Moe's was named the #1 fast-casual chain based on change in system-wide sales by QSR magazine and the #2 fast-casual chain under 300 units in 2006. When you join the Moe's franchisee family, you'll be working with passionate, experienced professionals who have extensive brand-building, development and operational experience in all functions of the foodservice industry. We're dedicated to the success of your franchise, and are committed to providing you with world-class support and service based on respect and trust.
    Join Moe's-- owning your own restaurant doesn't have to just be a dream.
    Veteran Incentives  $10,000 off franchise fee

    "Entrepreneur
    #362 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #191 in Franchise 500 for 2021
    .


    About Blue Moon Mexican Cafe

     The Blue Moon Mexican Cafe is a full-service neighborhood Mexican restaurant. Fresh, homemade and creative Mexican and Southwest fare are served in a fun and inviting atmosphere. The business places an emphasis on quality along with a dedication to phenomenal customer service.

    Blue Moon Mexican Cafe opened in the Chelsea section of Manhattan in 1987. In 1990, a second Manhattan store was opened on the Upper East Side. Then, in 1995, BMMC moved across the river and opened the first suburban Blue Moon in Bergen County, New Jersey.  The business announced the formation of Blue Moon Franchises LLC in May 2007.