Gateway Newstands vs Planet RYO Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Gateway Newstands Franchise
Planet RYO Franchise
Investment $55,875 - $501,750$98,225 - $208,000
Franchise Fee $15,000 - $150,000$15,000 - $30,000
Royalty Fee 3.5%6%
Advertising Fee -1% Nat'l +3% Local
Year Founded 19831993
Year Franchised 19831993
Term Of Agreement 5-
Term Of Agreement 5-
Renewal Fee Varies-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Gateway Newstands Franchise
Planet RYO Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Gateway Newstands Franchise
    Planet RYO Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/-
    Start-up Costs Yes/Yes-/-
    Equipment Yes/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/No-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Gateway Newstands Franchise
    Planet RYO Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: Up to 40 hours -
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations -
    Marketing Social media Website development -
    Operations

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1 - 2

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

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    Gateway Newstands Franchise
    Planet RYO Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion Yes-
    International Expansion No-

    Company Overviews

    About Gateway Newstands

    Gateway Newsstands was founded in 1983 by Michael Aychental and David Goldman, who started franchising the concept the same year. A family-owned and -operated partnership based in Canada, Gateway Newsstands has grown to more than 300 stores in North America, including locations in Toronto, New York and Chicago. Gateway Newsstands emphasizes a hands-on business approach, putting a franchise owner in each of its locations. Franchisees work from kiosks or stores in large office buildings, selling snacks, drinks, candy, cards, tobacco, reading material, lottery tickets and other impulse buys. Open from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Gateway Newsstands have less demanding working hours than most convenience stores. The Service Store Concept developed as a direct result of the company's analysis of traffic count studies and its identification and emphasis on the daily needs of a diverse variety of shoppers. The merchandise mix is formulated specifically to cater to the everyday needs and impulse sales of today's busy consumers. The ongoing refinement of the company's merchandise mix is an important part of the company's business service ethic. Gateway Newsstands have created an important retail marketing niche. The simultaneous presentation of snacks, beverages, candy, cards, tobacco, reading material and lottery tickets capitalizes on the customer traffic generated by each entity, creating impulse sales in areas other than represented by the customers original shopping purpose. Gateway Newsstands is an integral part of any prime commercial retail project. No other retail service tenant satisfies as wide a spectrum of consumers' service and convenience requirements.

    "Top
    #14 in Canada's Top franchises.

    About Planet RYO

    Founded in 1993 by Mark and Frances Tucci, Planet RYO (formerly Custom Blends) quickly rose to the cutting edge of the tobacco industry by being one of the first companies to provide an extensive line of premium roll-your-own tobaccos. Over that time we have established a one-of-a-kind, modern smoke shop experience with a full range of products for everyone from the hobbyist smoker, cigar aficionado or the cigarette smoker who chooses to enjoy premium quality tobaccos while saving money. We have also been responsible retailers, requiring everyone who enters our stores to be of legal age and never trying to attract new smokers, but catering to current smokers who are more discriminating. Our motto has always been:

    If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, smoke smart.