East of Chicago Pizza Company vs CiCi's Pizza Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of East of Chicago Pizza Company vs CiCi's 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
CiCi's Pizza Franchise
Investment $162,000 - $463,000$209,962 - $1,056,527
Franchise Fee $20,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 5%4 - 6%
Advertising Fee -greater of $2300 or 3% of sales
Year Founded 19901985
Year Franchised 19911987
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee To be determined-


Business Experience Requirements

 
East of Chicago Pizza Company Franchise
CiCi's Pizza Franchise
Experience
  • Company uses Birkman Profile & Corporate Interview Series

  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

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

    Training & Support

     
    East of Chicago Pizza Company Franchise
    CiCi's Pizza Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 2 weeks Classroom Training: 4 weeks 8-12 week training process (the VP of Training may require additional training at his/her discretion, as successful completion of training is based on proficiency)
    Support Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional AdvertisingNewsletter, Meetings, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional AdvertisingNational 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

    60% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 25-30


    Expansion Plans

     
    East of Chicago Pizza Company Franchise
    CiCi's 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 CiCi's Pizza

    Hi Welcome to CiCi's! - An endless pizza, pasta, salad & dessert buffet loved by families for delivering unbelievable value. CiCi's is also an unbelievable opportunity for passionate entrepreneurs who are looking to build their own business and take control of their financial futures. Entrepreneur Magazine ranked CiCi's as the top brand in the Italian restaurant franchise category & the Wall Street Journal's guide for entrepreneurs ranked CiCi's as one of the top 25 highest performing Brands in the nation. Join the CiCi's Family & you'll have access to state of the art systems and people to help you realize your full potential as a CiCi's Franchisee. At 650+ stores, CiCi's size & scale provides the system great buying power that keeps costs low and enables National TV Advertising. But it's also small enough to provide Franchisees hands-on guidance in site selection, store Operations/Training & local store marketing. There are Franchise opportunities available now! Visit www.cicispizza.com.

    The total initial investment necessary to begin operation of your Cicis Restaurant ranges from $697,500 to $1,056,527. These totals include approximately $208,485 to $279,942 that must/may be paid to the franchisor or their affiliate.
    The total initial investment necessary to begin operation of your Cicis To Go Restaurant ranges from $209,962 to $399,774. These totals include approximately $101,973 to $130,843 that must/may be paid to the franchisor or their affiliate.