East of Chicago Pizza Company vs Farmer Boys Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
East of Chicago Pizza Company Franchise
Farmer Boys Franchise
Investment $162,000 - $463,000$1,042,500 - $2,486,500
Franchise Fee $20,000$45,000
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee -3%
Year Founded 19901981
Year Franchised 19911997
Term Of Agreement 10 years20 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years20 years
Renewal Fee To be determined-


Business Experience Requirements

 
East of Chicago Pizza Company Franchise
Farmer Boys Franchise
Experience
  • Company uses Birkman Profile & Corporate Interview Series

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

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

    Training & Support

     
    East of Chicago Pizza Company Franchise
    Farmer Boys Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 2 weeks Classroom Training: 4 weeks On-The-Job Training: 480 hours Classroom Training: 60 hours
    Support Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional AdvertisingPurchasing Co-ops 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 Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO Loyalty program/app
    Operations 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

    20% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 30

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


    Expansion Plans

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

    Company Overviews

    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).

    About Farmer Boys

    During the 1970s, brothers Makis and Chris Havadjias worked in restaurants to earn money for college. They helped the owners of one of those restaurants rebuild the establishment, and later bought it. With the experience they gained at that first restaurant, the brothers bought a poorly performing restaurant in Perris, California, that they built into Farmer Boys. With the help of their three other brothers, the Havadjias expanded Farmer Boys throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties in Southern California. Each location serves hamburgers, sandwiches, salads and a full breakfast menu. The company began franchising in 1998.

    #128 in Franchise 500 for 2021. Not ranked in 2020.