T.J. Cinnamons vs Erik's DeliCafe Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of T.J. Cinnamons vs Erik's DeliCafe including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
T.J. Cinnamons Franchise
Erik's DeliCafe Franchise
Investment $22,100 - $39,200$303,500 - $521,600
Franchise Fee $5,000$35,000
Royalty Fee Varies5%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19851973
Year Franchised 19851986
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee Then-current franchise fee-


Business Experience Requirements

 
T.J. Cinnamons Franchise
Erik's DeliCafe Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    T.J. Cinnamons Franchise
    Erik's DeliCafe 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

     
    T.J. Cinnamons Franchise
    Erik's DeliCafe Franchise
    Training Training program provided through manual-
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Ad slicksCo-op advertising, Ad slicks
    Operations

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.

    78% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 16

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    T.J. Cinnamons Franchise
    Erik's DeliCafe Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoNo

    Company Overviews

    About T.J. Cinnamons

    When Ted and Joyce Rice first started selling cinnamon rolls at state fairs and rodeos, they were just looking to make some extra money and add to their retirement fund. Yet the demand for their sticky product was so great they were forced to turn their parttime venture into a fulltime T.J. Cinnamons bakery in Kansas City. The company began franchising and grew to nearly 250 locations in the late 1980s. But by the mid-'90s a declining economy, lower traffic, and inexperienced operators left only 47 bakeries operating. Arby's parent company acquired the business in 1996 and has since revived the bakery concept to be an add-on business that can be combined with any existing restaurant.

    About Erik's DeliCafe

    After receiving his bachelor's degree in business and marketing, Erik Johnson tried his hand at accounting, security, food service and real estate before purchasing a 600-square-foot store in Scotts Valley, California, back in 1973. With help from his family, Johnson founded Erik's Deli Cafe, a quick-service and catering restaurant that served sandwiches, salads, soups and baked goods.

    Johnson expanded his chain throughout Northern California before selling the first franchise in 1986.