Indigo Joe's vs Houlihan's Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Indigo Joe's vs Houlihan's including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Indigo Joe's Franchise
Houlihan's Franchise
Investment $1,200,000 - $1,300,000$1,600,000 - $4,300,000
Franchise Fee $30,000$40,000
Royalty Fee 5%4%
Advertising Fee 1.5%-
Year Founded 19941972
Year Franchised 20021994
Term Of Agreement 10 years +1020 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years +1020 years
Renewal Fee $10K$5K


Business Experience Requirements

 
Indigo Joe's Franchise
Houlihan's Franchise
Experience -
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Must live in same market being developed

  • Financing Options

     
    Indigo Joe's Franchise
    Houlihan's 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/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/Yes
    Payroll No/NoNo/Yes

    Training & Support

     
    Indigo Joe's Franchise
    Houlihan's Franchise
    Training

    Prior to the opening of the store, it is essential to successfully complete Indigo Joe's intensive 6-week franchise training program. This program will educate the franchise owner in all aspects of restaurant operations as well as provide him or her with all the necessary tools. Topics that will be covered include customer service, preparation of Indigo Joe's menu items, quality and food portion control, beverage and inventory management, cost control, employee hiring and scheduling, store safety guidelines, management tools and systems, turnover reduction and budgeting and forecasting. Store Opening training is provided for 7 days prior to the opening date and until 7 days after. This training is a more "hands on" approach to managing and successfully running an Indigo Joe's restaurant.

    -
    Support

    Indigo Joe's provides on-going operational support through their field service representatives

    Meetings, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertisingCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising
    Operations International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 15

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

    Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 78

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (80% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Indigo Joe's Franchise
    Houlihan's Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About Indigo Joe's

    Indigo Joe's Sports Pub & Restaurant is no average sports bar and grill but most importantly, a family oriented restaurant. It is committed to being the very best place for fans to view their favorite sports teams. Team banners are grouped by conference and region and many customers enjoy the 'coaches wall', which includes customized, autographed pictures of some of the most famous sports figures to date. The franchise allows for multiple revenue opportunities which includes in-store, take out and catering sales. The multiple-unit organization is backed by a franchise training and ongoing support program. The franchise owner will benefit from our Corporate Support Team which will provide the introductory training program, on going support in operations and marketing and advertising. Indigo Joe's understands the importance of Marketing and Advertising in becoming successful and in creating brand recognition. Attention to details keeps the customer happy and encourages him to tell others about his experience. This franchise program allows for multiple revenue opportunities including in-store, take-out and catering sales. The multiple unit organization is backed by franchise training and an ongoing support program.

    About Houlihan's

    Houlihan's has been known for exceptional food at an affordable price since we entered the casual dining segment in 1972. Our menu features a great mix of contemporary pop American cooking - classic dishes reinvented in a fresh modern way and brought to the table with simple, stylish plating and presentations. And then there's the bar. It's always the best place to feel the great energy of Houlihan's. Our bar strategy unites pop culture, trendy premium brands, the newest drinks and vendor insights for a winning combination, resulting in an enviable liquor mix.

    To help us more quickly expand to new markets and trade areas, Houlihan's is seeking sophisticated restaurant operators with experience building out entire markets. At this time, we are not pursuing single-site franchise agreements.

    Our ideal candidate to become a franchise market developer is a successful full-service, multi-unit operator with expertise in one or more large markets (e.g. the top 75 MSAs in the United States). We are seeking entrepreneurial organizations that can thrive in our flexible franchise environment, while having access to growth capital and capital reserves, but experiencing growth constraints with their current restaurant concept(s).