The Steak Escape vs BD's Mongolian Barbeque Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of The Steak Escape vs BD's Mongolian Barbeque including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
The Steak Escape Franchise
BD's Mongolian Barbeque Franchise
Investment $190,200 - $1,300,000$881,000 - $2,276,500
Franchise Fee $25,000$45,000
Royalty Fee 6%5%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19821992
Year Franchised 19831996
Term Of Agreement 20 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years10 years
Renewal Fee -50% of fee at time of renewal


Business Experience Requirements

 
The Steak Escape Franchise
BD's Mongolian Barbeque Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • Financing Options

     
    The Steak Escape Franchise
    BD's Mongolian Barbeque Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/No
    Equipment No/NoNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    The Steak Escape Franchise
    BD's Mongolian Barbeque Franchise
    Training -Company certified training restaurant
    Support Newsletter, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing -Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media
    Operations International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 20 - 25

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (75% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 60% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 75 - 100

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


    Expansion Plans

     
    The Steak Escape Franchise
    BD's Mongolian Barbeque Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About The Steak Escape

    The Steak Escape was established in Columbus, Ohio, in 1982 by Ken Smith and Mark Turner. One year later, Escape Enterprise Ltd. was formed, and Steak Escape started franchising mall sites, as well as locations in college campuses, airports and sports arenas. The privately held company specializes in genuine Philadelphia cheesesteaks and operates in more than 30 states as well as overseas.

    About BD's Mongolian Barbeque

    BD's Mongolian Barbeque is the world's number one Create Your Own Stir-Fry restaurant concept where the guests choose their own ingredients from a great variety of meats, seafood, vegetables, salads, sauces and spices. The food is then prepared by master grillers on a 600 degree 7-foot grill. Since 1992, has been delivering a unique, interactive dining experience that sets us apart from the competition. has created a growing band of loyal customers that believe passionately about their ability to take charge of their own dining event. We call this our "You Rule the Experience" philosophy. The guests don't just like bd's, they "love it" as they feel they can take ownership of their own dining experience.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a bd’s Mongolian Grill® Restaurant is $881,000 to $2,276,500. This includes $45,000 to $65,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.
    Development fees for Area Development Agreements are $45,000 for the first restaurant plus $10,000 for each additional restaurant that you agree to develop under the terms of the franchisor’s development schedule. These amounts will be credited against the payment of your initial franchise fees for each restaurant that you develop.