Keg Restaurants vs Hickory River Smokehouse Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Keg Restaurants vs Hickory River Smokehouse including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Keg Restaurants Franchise
Hickory River Smokehouse Franchise
Investment $2,000,000 - $3,250,000$400,000 - $800,000
Franchise Fee $50,000$18,000
Royalty Fee 5%4%
Advertising Fee 2.5%-
Year Founded -2006
Year Franchised -2006
Term Of Agreement --
Term Of Agreement --
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Keg Restaurants Franchise
Hickory River Smokehouse Franchise
Experience Any experience you have gained in any area of food service always helps. More than anything else, your sound business sense and your compatibility with The Keg's high standards are what will make you an ideal candidate. If you don't have full service restaurant experience, we insist that you have a day-to-day operator with experience; ideally Keg experience. You have successfully run a business the size and scope of The Keg. Although restaurant experience is preferred, your excellent management skills can be adapted through The Keg's training programs. You have a thorough knowledge of the market in which you wish to open your franchise. It is preferable that you have lived in the city, as well as know the business and cultural climate. Please note that a population base of approximately 100,000 people in Canada or 225,000 in the United States is required for us to consider a new location. You need to have sufficient unencumbered capital. Although the amount will vary from location to location depending on the specific business, your combined net worth should be a minimum of $2 million. You have a desire to be a part of a successful franchise group. If you are interested in a territory or multiple restaurants, the following additional criteria must be in place: a. A development agreement which will specify the number of sites and the time period in which they must be built. b. The financial ability to operate more than one restaurant. c. The management capability and personnel to operate the desired number of restaurants in the territory or multiple restaurants. You will be required to submit a proposal detailing all aspects of your business plan and management, shareholder and operating structures. Your plan must include: * A projected operating statement of revenue and expenses; * A financial plan for construction of your restaurant, including a rough timetable for completion; * A personal employment history and business history of all proposed shareholders and operating managers; * Details on your proposed operating management team. -

Financing Options

 
Keg Restaurants Franchise
Hickory River Smokehouse Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/--/-
Start-up Costs -/--/-
Equipment -/--/-
Inventory -/--/-
Receivables -/--/-
Payroll -/--/-

Training & Support

 
Keg Restaurants Franchise
Hickory River Smokehouse Franchise
Training We will train your management team and key staff at one of the corporate locations. We will send a hands-on support opening team to assist in training your staff. Besides travel, accommodation and meals, additional costs for the opening team are minimal. You can open your restaurant with the confidence and knowledge that you have received adequate training to do things The Keg way, with a support system and people to help you.-
Support The support begins before you open your restaurant with a development team who will assist in creating The Keg environment, followed by a training team to train your management and staff on how to provide your guests with The Keg experience. Once your restaurant is open, follow up support will be provided to insure that The Keg systems and specifications are in place. Ongoing support will be provided with respect to accounting, marketing, menu development, and human resources.-
Marketing --
Operations --

Expansion Plans

 
Keg Restaurants Franchise
Hickory River Smokehouse Franchise
US Expansion --
Canada Expansion --
International Expansion --

Company Overviews

About Keg Restaurants

The Keg Steakhouse & Bar is the undisputed Steakhouse leader in Canada, with an ever-growing presence in the United States. Founded in 1971, The Keg has a focus on high-quality steaks, and a casual yet contemporary dining experience. As part of our dynamic team, our franchisees have complete operational support, including extensive training, advertising/marketing, and central purchasing. You'll be able to focus on your day-to-day business knowing that there is a team of expert professionals on your side. We are actively looking for franchisees in many locations. Please note that a population base of approximately 100,000 people in Canada or 225,000 in the United States is required for us to consider a new location.

About Hickory River Smokehouse

To understand why Hickory River Smokehouse, a small, quickservice restaurant chain based in Tipp City OH, Champaign-Urbana IL, is without a doubt one of the Best Undiscovered Franchises in our solar system, you need to understand two things. The first is Barbecue. The second is Brad & Krista Bowman. What you need to know is that Barbecue is a religion. There is no more passionate of a congregation than the devotees of Barbecue.
Hickory River Smokehouse serves real Texas barbecue, in the tradition of the legendary barbecue pits that Brad, literally, visited and studied from one end of the Lone Star state to the other.
The Bowmans created Hickory River Smokehouse to provide authentic, incredible Texas-style barbecue to the rest of the country without compromising flavor or quality. A powerful advantage of the Hickory River Smokehouse concept and product line is its suitability for both take-out and off-premise catering business, two of the most highly prized revenue centers in the restaurant industry. To find out more about this tasty opportunity, you need to contact Brad Bowman or request some more information right away. But be forewarned: you may gain a few pounds before you even get through training. Voted as one of the Top 10 Best Undiscovered Franchises by IdeaFarm, Hickory River Smokehouse and its "Real Texas Barbecue" may be your true ground-floor opportunity to join a Brand with broad appeal and unlimited growth potential. By smoking all meats on site, we create the most tender, flavorful meats possible, then serve it with our proprietary Texas-style barbecue sauce. With complete support, begin building your net worth with our unique concept and be an entrepreneur.