Salsarita's Fresh Cantina vs Friendly's Restaurants Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Salsarita's Fresh Cantina vs Friendly's Restaurants including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Salsarita's Fresh Cantina Franchise
Friendly's Restaurants Franchise
Investment $283,150 - $563,900$498,500 - $1,950,000
Franchise Fee $30,000$30,000 - $35,000
Royalty Fee 5%4%
Advertising Fee 1% Nat'l 1.5% Local3.5%
Year Founded 19991935
Year Franchised 20001996
Term Of Agreement 10 years20 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years20 years
Renewal Fee 15% of then-current fee$5K


Business Experience Requirements

 
Salsarita's Fresh Cantina Franchise
Friendly's Restaurants Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • Restaurant experience helpful

  • Industry experience

  • Financing Options

     
    Salsarita's Fresh Cantina Franchise
    Friendly's Restaurants Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/No
    Equipment No/YesNo/No
    Inventory No/YesNo/No
    Receivables No/YesNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Salsarita's Fresh Cantina Franchise
    Friendly's Restaurants Franchise
    Training

    Training in Charlotte, NC at our "Burrito Bootcamp" for themselves and their manager. Salsarita's also helps you train your staff in the week prior to opening and running through the first full week of operation. We have Franchise Business Coaches available who can and will assist you in day-to-day operations and to make scheduled visits to your store.

    -
    Support Newsletter, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertisingAd slicks, National media
    Operations International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 20% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (50% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 62% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Salsarita's Fresh Cantina Franchise
    Friendly's Restaurants Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About Salsarita's Fresh Cantina

    Founded in 2000, Salsarita's Fresh Cantina is one of the fastest-growing Mexican fast-casual Mexican restaurant chains, recognized for its people, food and world-class hospitality. Customers can create delicious made-to-order meals from a flavorful Mexican menu that offers burritos, tacos, quesadillas, nachos, tortilla-crusted pizzas and salads with a wide selection of meats, fresh vegetables and homemade salsas in lively, family-friendly environment. For general information, please visit www.salsaritas.com or call 704-540-9447. For franchising information, please visit http://www.salsaritasfranchising.com or call 866.61SALSA.

    About Friendly's Restaurants

    In Springfield, Massachusetts at the height of the Great Depression in 1935, 20 year-old Prestley Blake and his 18 year-old brother Curtis opened an ice cream shop called 'Friendly' that served double-dip cones for 5 cents. The brothers opened a second shop five years later in West Springfield, Massachusetts and added food to the menu. Within a decade, locations opened throughout western Massachusetts and Connecticut. In 1988 Donald N. Smith, the company's current CEO, purchased the company and a year later added an 's' to the name, making it 'Friendly's.'

    In May 2000, Friendly's introduced a new food and dessert menu featuring colossal burgers, sandwich wraps, splits, sundaes and Cyclones. Friendly's produces 10 million snack cups and 230,000 gallons of fudge every year. In addition to its restaurants and cafes, Friendly's manufactures a complete line of frozen desserts.