Chicago's Pizza vs CiCi's Pizza Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Chicago's Pizza Franchise
CiCi's Pizza Franchise
Investment $87,300 - $173,100$209,962 - $1,056,527
Franchise Fee $12,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 4%4 - 6%
Advertising Fee -greater of $2300 or 3% of sales
Year Founded 19791985
Year Franchised 19811987
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Chicago's Pizza Franchise
CiCi's Pizza Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • People skills

  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

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

    Training & Support

     
    Chicago's Pizza Franchise
    CiCi's Pizza Franchise
    Training -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 Grand opening, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, Meetings, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicksNational advertising
    Operations 20% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 15

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

    60% of all franchisees own more than one unit

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


    Expansion Plans

     
    Chicago's Pizza Franchise
    CiCi's Pizza Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoNo

    Company Overviews

    About Chicago's Pizza

    Robert McDonald enjoyed working in the pizza business. When he was suddenly terminated from his job with an Indiana pizza restaurant, he decided to start his own pizza chain. When Ron Epple, who had worked with McDonald as director of franchise training, heard what his old co-worker was up to, he asked to be part of it.

    In 1979, the two founded Chicago's Pizza. At lunchtime, restaurants serve pizzas by the slice or in seven-inch rounds from counters and drive-thru windows. In the evening, customers can use the drive-thru window to pick up phone orders. Most of the locations also have dining rooms where customers can enjoy Chicago's 29-inch pizza.

    The company has franchises in Indiana and Ohio. There is also a Chicago's Pizza location in Seville, Spain.

    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.