Round Table Pizza vs Old Chicago Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Round Table Pizza vs Old Chicago including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
Investment |
$327,300 - $1,061,250 | $1,331,500 - $2,187,000 |
Franchise Fee |
$25,000 | $40,000 |
Royalty Fee |
4% | 4% |
Advertising Fee |
4% | 3% |
Year Founded |
1959 | 1976 |
Year Franchised |
1962 | 2000 |
Term Of Agreement |
10 years | - |
Term Of Agreement |
10 years | - |
Renewal Fee |
- | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
Experience |
* Foodservice industry experience as an owner/operator or manager with P & L responsibility
* Demonstrated ability to lead and manage people
* Customer service skills
* Strong business acumen and financial management skills
* $200,000 in unleveraged liquid assets
* $500,000 net worth
| - |
Financing Options |
|
In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party |
Franchise Fees |
-/- | -/- |
Start-up Costs |
-/- | -/- |
Equipment |
-/- | -/- |
Inventory |
-/- | -/- |
Receivables |
-/- | -/- |
Payroll |
-/- | -/- |
Training & Support |
Training |
Round Table's Skills Training Program (STP) is a comprehensive management training curriculum designed to support the ongoing training needs and requirements of our franchisees. The program encompasses modules for new franchise owners and multi-unit operators, managers and assistant managers, shift managers and crew leaders and general crewmembers. Prior to opening, new franchise owners are required to successfully complete a one-week business planning and leadership class at our Concord, CA headquarters.
On-The-Job Training: 180 hours
Classroom Training: 16 hours
| The Old Chicago training department will provide Franchisees, their management team, and staff, comprehensive training programs that combine both restaurant and classroom training. All Franchise management teams will receive seven weeks of in-store training at a designated Old Chicago training restaurant.
On-The-Job Training: 350 hours
|
Support |
Purchasing Co-ops
Newsletter
Meetings/Conventions
Toll-Free Line
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security/Safety Procedures
Field Operations
Site Selection
Franchisee Intranet Platform
| A set of comprehensive manuals are provided to an Old Chicago Franchisee upon the signing of the Operating Agreement. These manuals are designed for easy reference and serve as an authoritative source of information about Old Chicago standard operating policies and procedures. These manuals are frequently updated to reflect Old Chicago's response to the changing needs of today's guests.
Purchasing Co-ops
Meetings/Conventions
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security/Safety Procedures
Field Operations
Site Selection
Proprietary Software
|
Marketing |
Co-op Advertising
Ad Templates
National Media
Regional Advertising
Social media
SEO
Email marketing
Loyalty program/app
| Old Chicago restaurants rely primarily on a Local Restaurant Marketing (LRM) program that allows each store to choose the marketing programs and promotions that match the needs of the individual store's market. Advertising and promotional materials are available at a reasonable cost to Franchisees that support a LRM program. As such we employ our own graphics designer to assist Franchise Partners with their LRM design needs. We also employ a marketing professional to consult with our Franchise Partners.
Co-op Advertising
Ad Templates
National Media
Regional Advertising
Email marketing
Loyalty program/app
|
Operations |
- | - |
Expansion Plans |
US Expansion |
Yes | Yes |
Canada Expansion |
- | - |
International Expansion |
Yes | - |
Company Overviews
About Round Table Pizza
Round Table Pizza is the fifth largest pizza chain in the U.S. with over 500 restaurants in nine western states and five foreign countries. Headquartered in Concord, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area, Round Table has built a reputation as the pizza brand of choice and market share leader in the most competitive and discriminating restaurant markets in the country. We are recognized throughout the West for gourmet taste, quality and menu innovation.
The key differentiator between Round Table and other branded pizza chains is our product. Every Round Table restaurant rolls fresh dough every day and tops every pie with fresh cheese and only the freshest ingredients. In this day and age of frozen dough, frozen cheese and frozen toppings, Round Table is unique in the pizza segment.
One of the major reasons for the success of the Round Table brand is our franchise owners and their strong commitment to product quality, service and proactive local community involvement. We are committed to franchising as our primary business model. Approximately 80% of Round Table restaurant businesses are owned and operated by franchisees.
Our evaluation and selection of new franchise candidates is based upon a number of different factors. We look for individuals with a track record of success in business, the ability to manage and develop people and strong customer service skills. Foodservice industry experience as an owner/operator or manager with P & L responsibility is strongly required.
Round Table is seeking qualified individuals who want to partner with a proven brand leader in the pizza segment to join our system.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Restaurant that
offers and sells menu items for dining at the Restaurant premises as
well as via delivery and carryout services (the “Dine-In Model”), is
$471,500 to $1,061,250, which includes $25,000 that must be paid to the
franchisor or their affiliate prior to opening; and a Restaurant that is
only authorized to offer and sell menu items for delivery and carry out
from the Restaurant premises (a “DCU Model”) is $327,300 to $510,250,
which includes $25,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their
affiliate prior to opening.
#172 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
About Old Chicago
Opportunity Awaits
After 33 years of company growth, we are now offering a unique opportunity for a select number of entrepreneurs to take our proven brand into new markets.
Old Chicago is a leader in the casual dining pizza segment. We currently have territories available in many highly desirable markets, which presents an exceptional chance to establish our winning concept in choice locations.
WHY CHOOSE OLD CHICAGO?
Adaptable Site Requirements
Old Chicago's brand identity does not rely on a typical "box" to succeed. Our adaptive development strategy and flexible design allow stores to be constructed in many different types of sites, including prototype buildings, conversions/retro-fits, strip center end-cap locations, and non-traditional sites.
Sales Mix Advantage
With approximately 40% of historical system sales from our bar and drink business, Old Chicago's sales mix provides operators with a real opportunity to differentiate themselves from other casual dining concepts. Our high mix of bar sales is one of the main reasons why our stores experience exceptionally low Cost of Goods Sold (COGS). Our 60 company stores finished the year in 2008 with an average COGS of 25.6%.
Brand Strength & Versatility
Our brand has three decades of proven success and a loyal customer base in our existing markets. Old Chicago is a timeless concept that has that rare ability to appeal to a variety of consumers. Many casual dining concepts seem to copy each other in their menus and restaurant "feel". The Old Chicago concept is uniquely different.
Our bars have the rich, dark feel of a "freshly scrubbed joint". Our dining room areas with our new pizza bars really appeal to families and couples.
Broad Customer Appeal
Our bar area, along with our unique guest loyalty program -"The World Beer Tour" appeal to a younger, single customers. They create the high energy levels that have made our bars famous. With thirty beer varieties on tap, and another eighty varieties in bottles, we have created an exciting taste journey for our World Beer Tour members. No matter your age or occupation, there is a tremendous sense of accomplishment when your name goes on a plaque in your home store because you have completed the World Beer Tour.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of an Old Chicago
Restaurant franchised business is between $1,331,500 and $1,957,000.
This includes $98,250 and $135,250 that must be paid to the franchisor
or its affiliates.
The total investment necessary for an Area
Development Franchise includes the investment necessary to begin
operations of one Restaurant, plus a development fee of $50,000, plus an
initial franchise fee deposit of $20,000 multiplied by the number of
Restaurants (excluding the first Restaurant) which you must open.
The estimated total investment necessary to begin operation of an Old Chicago
Area Development Franchise is between $1,401,500 (for two
Restaurants) and $2,187,000 (for ten Restaurants). This includes between
$168,250 and $365,250 that must be paid to the franchisor or its
affiliates.
#299 in Franchise 500 for 2020.