Manchu Wok vs City Wok Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Manchu Wok Franchise
City Wok Franchise
Investment $476,050 - $787,500$243,400 - $568,500
Franchise Fee $30,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 7%5%
Advertising Fee 1%-
Year Founded 19811990
Year Franchised 19892004
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Renewal Fee $3K per year$5K


Business Experience Requirements

 
Manchu Wok Franchise
City Wok Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    Manchu Wok Franchise
    City Wok Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/No
    Equipment No/NoNo/No
    Inventory No/NoNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Manchu Wok Franchise
    City Wok Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesMeetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingCo-op advertising
    Operations 20% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 12

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 100% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (65% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Manchu Wok Franchise
    City Wok Franchise
    US Expansion --
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Manchu Wok

    Conceived and founded in 1980, Manchu Wok grew into a national chain across Canada and into the United States over the next nine years. Ownership changed in 1989, and expansion continued with a focus on the United States. Manchu Wok now has close to 150 stores, of which more than 70 percent are franchised.

    About City Wok

    The dream was a contemporary yet casual restaurant offering authentic, upscale Asian cuisine. Today, City Wok is proud to be recognized by Restaurant Hospitality magazine as personifying the future of fast-casual dining.

    Stuart Davis opened his first City Wok in 1990, working extensively with Hing Fan Chan, an executive chef trained in Kowloon, China. While other restaurants may water down, Americanize or over-expand their menus to appeal to the masses, Davis created the City Wok concept from his desire to deliver authentic Chinese dishes in a style that appeals to Americans.