Hamburger Mary's vs Back Yard Burgers Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Hamburger Mary's Franchise
Back Yard Burgers Franchise
Investment $417,150 - $955,500$465,000 - $1,680,000
Franchise Fee $50,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 4% (on first $150K monthly gross), 3% (on monthly gross above $150K)5%
Advertising Fee -3%
Year Founded 19721986
Year Franchised 19991988
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Renewal Fee -$1K


Business Experience Requirements
 
Hamburger Mary's Franchise
Back Yard Burgers Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • One partner must have bar/restaurant management experience

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
    		•

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

    Training & Support
     
    Hamburger Mary's Franchise
    Back Yard Burgers Franchise
    Training --
    Support Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing -Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising
    Operations 8% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 40

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% 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
     
    Hamburger Mary's Franchise
    Back Yard Burgers Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About Hamburger Mary's

    Started in San Francisco in 1972, Hamburger Mary's serves homestyle meals prepared using fresh and healthy ingredients, including low-fat beef, farm-fresh chicken and turkey, and salads, as well as desserts including carrot cake, snicker's pie and cheesecake. The restaurants include a full bar and a kids' menu.

    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