Taco John's vs Back Yard Burgers Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Taco John's vs Back Yard Burgers including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Taco John's Franchise
Back Yard Burgers Franchise
Investment $475,000 - $1,599,000$465,000 - $1,680,000
Franchise Fee $25,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee 4%3%
Year Founded 19681986
Year Franchised 19691988
Term Of Agreement 20 years+10+10+1010 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years+10+10+1010 years
Renewal Fee -$1K


Business Experience Requirements
 
Taco John's Franchise
Back Yard Burgers Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Taco John's Franchise
    Back Yard Burgers Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Taco John's Franchise
    Back Yard Burgers Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, 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, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicksCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising
    Operations 37% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 15

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (75% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		 60% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 35

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Taco John's Franchise
    Back Yard Burgers Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoNo

    Company Overviews

    About Taco John's

    The story of Taco John's sounds more like a legend than the history of a business. In Cheyenne, Wyoming, a man named Juan opened a tiny taco house, serving uniquely seasoned and generously sized tacos and burritos. An immediate hit with the locals, the taco house was quickly purchased by local businessmen Harold Holmes and Jim Woodson in 1969. Renamed Taco John's, it began selling franchises right away and now has restaurants across America. The privately held company is still based in Cheyenne.

    "Entrepreneur

    #115 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #315 in Franchise 500 for 2021.


    About Back Yard Burgers

    What started as a premium quality burger sold in a grocery store in Cleveland, Mississippi in 1987 quickly caught fire. Lattimore "Lattie” Michael realized he had a recipe for success and thus opened the first Back Yard Burgers drive-thru restaurant. Customers flocked to it, eating up the fresh-grilled burgers, great conversation and the neighborly feel that reminded them of their backyard cookouts. A year later, Back Yard Burgers opened up in Tennessee and Florida. And the rest is delicious history.
    WHY BE A BACK YARD BURGERS FRANCHISEE?
    *Uniqueness - back yard flavor
    *A proven brand with a solid operating system
    *Growth free standing building
    *Unique development opportunities
    *Non universities, c-stores and professional sports
    *Strong positioning
    *Signature products
    *Persuasive, professional marketing
    *Operations support
    *Exclusive Territories