Old Chicago vs Squisito Pizza Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Old Chicago Franchise
Squisito Pizza Franchise
Investment $1,331,500 - $2,187,000$269,000 - $596,900
Franchise Fee $40,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 4%5%
Advertising Fee 3%1% -2%
Year Founded 19761998
Year Franchised 20002008
Term Of Agreement --
Term Of Agreement --
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Old Chicago Franchise
Squisito Pizza Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options
 
Old Chicago Franchise
Squisito Pizza Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/--/Yes
Start-up Costs -/--/Yes
Equipment -/--/Yes
Inventory -/--/Yes
Receivables -/--/Yes
Payroll -/--/Yes

Training & Support
 
Old Chicago Franchise
Squisito Pizza Franchise
Training 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

Our initial training program consists of approximately four weeks of classroom and on-site training at one of our affiliate restaurants in Maryland. We request that you and two of your mangers attend training. In addition, we will provide you with one of our trained team members at your site for up to 14 days (to be scheduled around your opening). Your training program is intensive and includes: Recipes and Prep Procedures, Quality and Service Standards, Inventory Procedures, Equipment and Safety, Brand Compliance, Food Safety, and Sanitation and Health Code Compliance. On-The-Job Training: 86 hours Classroom Training: 95 hours

Support 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 Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing 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 Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
Operations -Absentee Ownership Allowed

Number of Employees Required to Run: 10 - 15

Expansion Plans
 
Old Chicago Franchise
Squisito Pizza Franchise
US Expansion YesYes
Canada Expansion --
International Expansion --

Company Overviews

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.



About Squisito Pizza

Squisito is now offering franchise opportunities throughout the country. Our commitment to quality and family has created a unique franchise opportunity that is both profitable and a joy to own. As with the humble beginnings of the MONTE Restaurant Development Group of Gennaro and Lino DiMeo, Squisito Franchise Enterprises, Inc. began with the partnership of Gennaro and Michele DiMeo in spring of 2008. Michele joined the MONTE Restaurant Development Group to streamline and assist Gennaro with the corporate and Franchise expansion of his fast-casual brand, Squisito NY Style Pizza and Pasta. With this powerful union of conceptual restaurant experience--Gennaro DiMeo, with Michele DiMeo's franchise and executive operations / leadership experience--Squisito Franchise Enterprises began.Squisito has over 15 years of experience in successfully serving up classic, Italian dishes made with the finest, Italian ingredients. The combination of our hand-picked tomatoes from the fields of CA, our authentic family recipes for our sauces, and the brand-quality supremacy of Grande cheese promise the best taste experience to each and every guest in every franchise.
Working with each franchise location as a TEAM, we know we can achieve this goal.
Our franchise provides:
*Limited Competition in Fast-Casual, Italian Space
*Family-Friendly Environment
*Proprietary Sauces and Family Recipes
*Catering and To-Go Offerings
*The Best Italian Food at Family-Friendly Prices
*Extensive Menu
*A Team with Years of Experience in Creating Multiple, Successful Brands