Russo's New York Pizzeria vs Blaze Pizza Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Russo's New York Pizzeria Franchise
Blaze Pizza Franchise
Investment $400,000 - $1,500,000$545,500 - $1,210,500
Franchise Fee $49,500$30,000
Royalty Fee 7%5%
Advertising Fee 2%2%
Year Founded 19782012
Year Franchised 19982012
Term Of Agreement 10 years +510 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years +510 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Russo's New York Pizzeria Franchise
Blaze Pizza Franchise
Experience No Restaurant experience necessary but helpful Minimum financials are $175K to $400K in investment capital and a $600K to $1.0MM net worth. 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
     
    Russo's New York Pizzeria Franchise
    Blaze Pizza Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees -/--/-
    Start-up Costs -/--/-
    Equipment -/--/-
    Inventory -/--/-
    Receivables -/--/-
    Payroll -/--/-

    Training & Support
     
    Russo's New York Pizzeria Franchise
    Blaze Pizza Franchise
    Training Corporate Store, Houston, TX . 8 Week GM & Key Supervisor Training and Certification.On-The-Job Training: 60 hours Classroom Training: 20 hours
    Support Central Data Processing: At Additional Cost

    Field Operation Evaluation: At Additional Cost

    Field Training: At Additional Cost Initial Store Opening

    Inventory Control

    Regional or National Meetings

    800 Telephone Hotline

    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 -Ad Templates Social media SEO Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations Average Number of Employees: 10 Full-time, 6 Part-time

    Passive Ownership: Allowed, But Discouraged

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    Russo's New York Pizzeria Franchise
    Blaze Pizza Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion --
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Russo's New York Pizzeria

    Russo's Restaurants is a national and international franchisor of the fast casual and casual dining brands Russo's New York Pizzeria and Russo's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen. Based in Houston, Russo's Restaurants are composed of a mix of corporate and franchised locations across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Florida and Hawaii. Russo's has entered international markets as well, with locations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. There are an additional 20-plus units in development both in the United States and internationally. Chef Anthony Russo has created his concepts from years of applying his unique, family recipes featuring New York-style pizza along with a broad variety of handcrafted pasta creations, calzones, salads, sandwiches, soups and desserts, reflecting his commitment to his New York roots where food and family come first.

    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.

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