Desert Moon-Fresh Mexican Grille vs Moe's Southwest Grill Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Desert Moon-Fresh Mexican Grille vs Moe's Southwest Grill including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Desert Moon-Fresh Mexican Grille Franchise
Moe's Southwest Grill Franchise
Investment $264,500 - $454,000$457,400 - $911,500
Franchise Fee $25,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee -2%
Year Founded 19922000
Year Franchised 19992001
Term Of Agreement 15 years20 years
Term Of Agreement 15 years20 years
Renewal Fee -Then-current franchise fee


Business Experience Requirements

 
Desert Moon-Fresh Mexican Grille Franchise
Moe's Southwest Grill Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • Excellent attention to detail

  • Financing Options

     
    Desert Moon-Fresh Mexican Grille Franchise
    Moe's Southwest Grill Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs Yes/NoNo/Yes
    Equipment Yes/NoNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/Yes
    Payroll No/NoNo/Yes

    Training & Support

     
    Desert Moon-Fresh Mexican Grille Franchise
    Moe's Southwest Grill Franchise
    Training - On-The-Job Training 125 hours Classroom Training: 22.6 hours
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations 66% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10

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

    65% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 15

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


    Expansion Plans

     
    Desert Moon-Fresh Mexican Grille Franchise
    Moe's Southwest Grill Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About Desert Moon-Fresh Mexican Grille

    During a visit to Arizona, founder Kevin Rink fell in love with the area's Southwestern cuisine and decided to bring it back with him to New York. The company opened its first cafe in the Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown Heights, New York. The restaurants serve traditional as well as nontraditional Mexican fare at establishments throughout the East Coast.

    About Moe's Southwest Grill

    In December of 2000 in Atlanta, Ga. a handful of local entrepreneurs created Moe's Southwest Grill in the spirit of not-taking-yourself-too-seriously with menu names like the Homewrecker burrito, Closetalker salad and the Billy Barou nachos as well as a store design that includes abstract artwork with tongue-in-cheek sayings. Maybe it's the personal experience that keeps people coming back for more. Maybe it's the huge selection of customizable Southwest favorites. Or maybe it's the laid-back vibe and signature "Welcome to Moe's" greeting our customers hear each time they walk through the door. Regardless of the reason behind the popularity of the brand, it works - and now, after being purchased by FOCUS Brands, Inc., in August 2007, Moe's has more than 370 locations across the country with plans to grow domestically and internationally. As a testament to the wild popularity of the brand, Moe's was named the #1 fast-casual chain based on change in system-wide sales by QSR magazine and the #2 fast-casual chain under 300 units in 2006. When you join the Moe's franchisee family, you'll be working with passionate, experienced professionals who have extensive brand-building, development and operational experience in all functions of the foodservice industry. We're dedicated to the success of your franchise, and are committed to providing you with world-class support and service based on respect and trust.
    Join Moe's-- owning your own restaurant doesn't have to just be a dream.
    Veteran Incentives  $10,000 off franchise fee

    "Entrepreneur
    #362 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #191 in Franchise 500 for 2021
    .