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Updated RecentlyThe Steak Escape vs Zoup! Fresh Soup Company Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of The Steak Escape vs Zoup! Fresh Soup Company including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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| Investment | $190,200 - $1,300,000 | $355,900 - $648,500 |
| Franchise Fee | $25,000 | $39,900 |
| Royalty Fee | 6% | 6% |
| Advertising Fee | - | 1% |
| Year Founded | 1982 | 1998 |
| Year Franchised | 1983 | 2003 |
| Term Of Agreement | 20 years | 5 years, Renewable for 3 additional 5 year periods |
| Term Of Agreement | 20 years | 5 years, Renewable for 3 additional 5 year periods |
| Renewal Fee | - | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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| Experience | ||
Financing Options |
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| In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
| Franchise Fees | No/No | No/Yes |
| Start-up Costs | No/No | No/Yes |
| Equipment | No/No | No/Yes |
| Inventory | No/No | No/Yes |
| Receivables | No/No | No/Yes |
| Payroll | No/No | No/Yes |
Training & Support |
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| Training | - | On-The-Job Training: 72 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours |
| Support | Newsletter, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations | 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 |
| Marketing | - | Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app |
| 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) |
30% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10 - 14 Absentee Ownership Allowed |
Expansion Plans |
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| US Expansion | - | No |
| Canada Expansion | No | Yes |
| International Expansion | Yes | No |
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 Zoup! Fresh Soup Company
The first Zoup! opened in 1998 in Southfield, MI, a suburb of Detroit. Over the next five years, the founders opened five more Detroit-area locations, and in 2003 they began to franchise the concept. Zoup! restaurants feature 12 rotating daily varieties of soup, including low-fat, vegetarian, gluten and dairy free options. Made-to-order salads, sandwiches and baked goods are also available.
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