East of Chicago Pizza Company vs Blackjack Pizza Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of East of Chicago Pizza Company vs Blackjack Pizza 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
Blackjack Pizza Franchise
Investment $162,000 - $463,000$168,300 - $392,300
Franchise Fee $20,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 5%3%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19901983
Year Franchised 19911988
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee To be determined$1K


Business Experience Requirements

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

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • Financing Options

     
    East of Chicago Pizza Company Franchise
    Blackjack Pizza 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/Yes
    Receivables No/YesNo/Yes
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    East of Chicago Pizza Company Franchise
    Blackjack Pizza Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 2 weeks Classroom Training: 4 weeks Ongoing assistance & classroom training available
    Support Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional AdvertisingNewsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional AdvertisingCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising
    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

    25% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 15 - 30

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


    Expansion Plans

     
    East of Chicago Pizza Company Franchise
    Blackjack Pizza 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 Blackjack Pizza

    Blackjack Pizza was founded in 1983 by Vince Schmuhl. After working several years for Dominos Pizza, the founder felt that there was plenty of room for competitors in the fast growing pizza delivery business. At that time, Dominos Pizza was the only major player in the pizza delivery business in the Rocky Mountain region and he felt that customers would really appreciate an alternative to Dominos Pizza. The first Blackjack Pizza store was opened on June 29, 1983 in Federal Heights, CO. The second store opened in Greeley, CO in February of 1984. Vince continued to open new stores, mainly in the Denver Metro Area. By 1986, there were six corporate owned stores and one franchisee in operation. In 1988, Blackjack officially became a franchisor using the concept of an owner/operator franchisee at each store location. Several corporate stores were sold to franchisees, and other franchisees were added to the system through conversions of independent operators who saw the value in being part of Blackjack Pizza. We have continued to add franchise outlets to the system under a policy of slow, controlled growth. There are 45 stores in operation in four states.