Z Pizza vs East of Chicago Pizza Company Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Z Pizza vs East of Chicago Pizza Company including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Z Pizza Franchise
East of Chicago Pizza Company Franchise
Investment $249,000 - $359,000$162,000 - $463,000
Franchise Fee $30,000$20,000
Royalty Fee 6%5%
Advertising Fee 3%-
Year Founded 19861990
Year Franchised 19991991
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee -To be determined


Business Experience Requirements

 
Z Pizza Franchise
East of Chicago Pizza Company Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience

  • Company uses Birkman Profile & Corporate Interview Series

  • Financing Options

     
    Z Pizza Franchise
    East of Chicago Pizza Company Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesYes/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/YesNo/Yes
    Payroll No/YesNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Z Pizza Franchise
    East of Chicago Pizza Company Franchise
    Training Additional training available as requiredOn-The-Job Training: 2 weeks Classroom Training: 4 weeks
    Support The zpizza support system is extremely detailed and begins from the moment your franchise agreement is signed, throughout your development phases, and through your store opening. Training is provided to the operational owners and managers for your store. The zpizza Training Program is a four week program comprehensive of all operational details involved in your business. zpizza provides a team to serve from pre-opening to opening. - Use of brand name, trademarks, recipes, operational systems and methods, and décor - Facility planning on site location and architectural design - Specifications for fixtures, equipment, and leasehold improvements - Assistance in site selection and lease negotiation - Corporate training for Owner/Operator and Director of Operations/General Managers - Kitchen/Back of the House Workflow design - Ongoing support from members of the Training and Operations Team - Ongoing updates for increasing profitability - Products with high industry demand - Favorable national contracts with suppliers of goods and services - Operating manuals, policies, procedures, and business management systems - Annual franchisee meetings - Access to zpizza's proprietary, Internet-based system that acts as a repository for all above-mentioned support materials, manuals, graphics and brand communications. Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising
    Operations Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 100% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 15

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

    26% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 20

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

    Number of Employees Required to Run: 20


    Expansion Plans

     
    Z Pizza Franchise
    East of Chicago Pizza Company Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoNo

    Company Overviews

    About Z Pizza

    Z Pizza was founded in 1986 and began franchising in 1999. The Newport Beach, California-based company has more than 90 units in the United States.Z Pizza is a rapidly growing chain of gourmet, health conscious pizza stores operating in high-profile lifestyle centers and metropolitan retail centers. The store footprint is approximately 1,100 to 1,500 square feet. Z pizza serves four day parts which include, lunch, afternoon chill, dinner and catering. The wide menu serves pizza, pizza by the slice, salads and sandwiches.

    About East of Chicago Pizza Company

    When founder L. Scott Granneman was thinking of a name for his second pizza restaurant in Willard, Ohio, he remembered one of his customers telling him he made 'the best pizza east of Chicago.' The comment stuck with Granneman, and now East of Chicago Pizza has more than 120 locations stretching as far east as Virginia.
    East of Chicago locations offer favorite toppings such as pepperoni and mushrooms as well as a menu of specialty pizzas like Taco (which is covered with lettuce, tomato, black olives, sour cream, cheddar cheese, beef and salsa) and dessert pizzas (Dutch Crunch apple pizza or Peanut Butter & Jelly).