Denny's vs Big Boy Restaurants Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Denny's vs Big Boy Restaurants including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
Investment |
$305,000 - $2,404,695 | $861,800 - $3,568,000 |
Franchise Fee |
$10,000 - $30,000 | $40,000 |
Royalty Fee |
4.5%-7% | 4% |
Advertising Fee |
3%-3.5% | 1% local +2% Nat'l |
Year Founded |
1953 | 1936 |
Year Franchised |
1984 | 1952 |
Term Of Agreement |
20 years | 20 years |
Term Of Agreement |
20 years | 20 years |
Renewal Fee |
$10K for 10 years | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
Experience |
Industry experience General business experience Operations experience | Industry & general business experience preferred |
Financing Options |
|
In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party |
Franchise Fees |
No/Yes | No/No |
Start-up Costs |
No/Yes | No/Yes |
Equipment |
No/Yes | No/Yes |
Inventory |
No/Yes | No/Yes |
Receivables |
No/No | No/Yes |
Payroll |
No/No | No/Yes |
Training & Support |
Training |
On-The-Job Training: 91 hours
Classroom Training: 16 hours
Additional Training: At existing Denny's restaurants | - |
Support |
Purchasing Co-ops
Newsletter
Meetings/Conventions
Toll-Free Line
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security/Safety Procedures
Field Operations
Site Selection
Proprietary Software
Franchisee Intranet Platform | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives |
Marketing |
Co-op Advertising
Ad Templates
National Media
Regional Advertising
Social media
Website development
Email marketing
Loyalty program/app | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising |
Operations |
44% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 80
Absentee Ownership Allowed
|
20% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 60
Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
Expansion Plans |
US Expansion |
Yes | - |
Canada Expansion |
No | No |
International Expansion |
Yes | Yes |
Company Overviews
About Denny's
In 1953, Harold Butler opened Danny's Donuts, a Lakewood, California, stand that served coffee and doughnuts 24 hours a day. The following year, the stand grew and its name was changed to Danny's Coffee Shops. Five years later, there were 20 shops in the chain, and the company changed its name to Denny's. Denny's locations serve breakfast, lunch and dinner choices 24 hours a day.
Denny's New & Emerging Markets incentive program is designed to help us recruit exceptional new franchisees to seize valuable market share in new & emerging markets.
Under the program, new franchisees can save up to $1 million by developing 4 new restaurants in new & emerging markets. The estimated savings include reduced: initial fees, royalty rate, marketing fees, market planning fee, store design fees, NRO training, and MGIP (development fees).
With a flexible, cost-effective prototype & best-in-class systems, Denny's is positioned for sustained franchise growth.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Denny’s franchise
is from $1,330,525.50 to $2,404,695.50 for a Denny’s Heritage facility;
from $305,000 to $826,000 for a nontraditional Denny’s, including The
Den; and from $1,025,528.50 to $1,659,695.50 for Denny’s within a Travel
Center (these numbers exclude real estate). This includes the initial
franchise fee of $10,000 to $30,000 and the New Restaurant Opening fee
of $0 to $36,000, for a total of $10,000 to $66,000, which must be paid
to the franchisor or affiliate.
#59 on Franchise Rankings.com
#83 on Franchise 500 for 2021 Not on Franchise 500 for 2020
About Big Boy Restaurants
The Big Boy itself began with Bob Wian in Glendale, California. Bob sold his car for $350.00 and opened a small restaurant called Bob's Pantry. He set into operation a policy that persists today throughout all Big Boy restaurants ... the finest quality food and the best service.
Members of an orchestra playing in the vicinity stopped in the restaurant and asked Bob Wian if he could dream up something different than just a plain hamburger. "Why not," Wian mused.
As if his hands were guided by an unseen force, he cut a regulation hamburger bun into three slices, and inserted not one but two hamburger patties into place. It was then garnished with a special and very delectable relish he had prepared. Wian handed the innovation to the players and anxiously awaited the decision.
"Wow," they chorused. "This is it!" and it was. Other customers saw him preparing it and asked for one. They agreed with the musicians. Wian had made a better hamburger.
One day a chubby youngster walked into Wian's now flourishing restaurant. "He was about six," Bob recalled, - and rolls of fat protruded where his shirt and pants were designed to meet. I was so amused by the youngster -- jolly, healthy looking and obviously a lover of good things to eat, I called him Big Boy.. - So why not name the new hamburger Big Boy? Wian did. That was the birth of the first double-decker hamburger.
At Big Boy, we thank all of those who served our country. For your service and dedication, Big Boy Franchise Management has created an incentive program for veterans of the United States Armed Forces. For qualified veterans, Big Boy has greatly reduced the initial Franchise Fee for your first Franchise Agreement.
Initial Franchise Fee - $40,000
Military Incentive Program Initial Franchise Fee - $20,000
Being a Big Boy franchisee means you'll be part of one of America's most iconic brands. It also means you'll be backed by an exceptional team that will support your franchise and help it become successful. Learn more about owning your own Big Boy franchise by taking a look at our Virtual Brochure. There you can see what it could be like being your own burger boss.
#82 on Franchise Rankings.com