Nick-N-Willy's vs Old Chicago Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Nick-N-Willy's vs Old Chicago including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Nick-N-Willy's Franchise
Old Chicago Franchise
Investment $294,500 - $399,500$1,331,500 - $2,187,000
Franchise Fee $5,000 - $25,000$40,000
Royalty Fee -4%
Advertising Fee -3%
Year Founded 20011976
Year Franchised 20012000
Term Of Agreement --
Term Of Agreement --
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Nick-N-Willy's Franchise
Old Chicago Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options
 
Nick-N-Willy's Franchise
Old Chicago Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/--/-
Start-up Costs -/--/-
Equipment -/--/-
Inventory -/--/-
Receivables -/--/-
Payroll -/--/-

Training & Support
 
Nick-N-Willy's Franchise
Old Chicago Franchise
Training

Nick-N-Willy's offers a comprehensive 30-day training program. The training program consists of a combination of practical product components and most importantly a primary focus on how to run your Nick-N-Willy's business. All aspects of operations, accounting, human resources, safety and food services are covered thoroughly.

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

Real Estate Once you become a franchise owner, our real estate professionals will work with you in identifying the best site for your business. Nick-N-Willy's has an established real estate network around the country with real estate professionals situated in many local markets. These specialized individuals are familiar with our site requirements and demographic profile. Your real estate professional will negotiate the best lease terms possible with the landlord and work with you every step of the way. Construction We're with you every step of the way- from site selection to grand opening. We have connections with industry experts and professionals from architects and real estate brokers to contractors and equipment vendors. We will help you manage every facet of the project and avoid all of the common pitfalls so that you can get your store ready quickly and efficiently. We'll also be right there with you at your grand opening to make sure that your team is well trained and that you make a great first impression. Financing We are dedicated to helping you to shop around for your business loan to find the best rates and terms. After you become a franchise owner, Nick-N-Willy's will assist you in preparing the necessary business plans and loan submission information for your bank or financial institution of your choosing. It is very common in the franchising business for a franchise owner to obtain government sponsored business loans for up to 70% of the total costs associated with setting up a franchised business. However, business loans for 50% of total costs are more readily available and are most common. In order to qualify for these types of loans, financial institutions typically require unencumbered liquid assets or cash equal to 25% to 50% of the total cost of setting up the franchise business to support the loan application.

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

Our advertising department develops advertising campaigns throughout the year by creating new marketing materials and promotions for the use of all franchise owners. The marketing team also oversees production of regional and local marketing to create brand awareness. In addition we assist you in utilizing our marketing materials and techniques to locally promote your stores and participate in community events in your local markets.

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
 
Nick-N-Willy's Franchise
Old Chicago Franchise
US Expansion -Yes
Canada Expansion --
International Expansion --

Company Overviews

About Nick-N-Willy's

Our Advantages *Low Cost of Entry Ours is one of the most affordable food franchise opportunities in the country *Multiple Revenue Sources: Dine-in: offering a comfortable dining experience Carry-out: conveniently meeting your customers' timetable Take-n-bake: complete selection of fresh and ready products for those on the go Salads, desserts and sides: complement each pizza experience Beverages: a variety of specialty beverages including beer and wine choices Delivery: delicious pizzas delivered to your customers' homes and businesses *Broad Appeal Pizza represents over $46 billion in sales per year 79% of all consumers eat pizza every 10 days 93% of Americans eat at least one pizza per month Each man, woman and child eats an average of 46 slices of pizza per year Pizza eaters are repeat customers - 78% of households purchase take out or delivered pizza every single month

"franchiserankingscom"
#41 on Franchise Rankings.com

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.