Chicago's Pizza vs Pizza Hut Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Chicago's Pizza Franchise
Pizza Hut Franchise
Investment $87,300 - $173,100$40,600 - $2,063,500
Franchise Fee $12,000$25,000
Royalty Fee 4%6%
Advertising Fee -4.25%
Year Founded 19791957
Year Franchised 19811959
Term Of Agreement 5 years-
Term Of Agreement 5 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Chicago's Pizza Franchise
Pizza Hut Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • People skills
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    Financing Options
     
    Chicago's Pizza Franchise
    Pizza Hut 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
    Pizza Hut Franchise
    Training -On-The-Job Training: 8-12 weeks
    Support Grand opening, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicksCo-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Loyalty program/app
    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)

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    Chicago's Pizza Franchise
    Pizza Hut Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    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 Pizza Hut

    While college students in Wichita, Kansas, Frank and Dan Carney were approached by a family friend with the idea of opening a pizza parlor. Inspired, the brothers borrowed $600 from their mother, purchased secondhand equipment, and rented a small building on a busy intersection in their hometown. With that, the first Pizza Hut opened its doors in 1958. More than 40 years later, Pizza Hut has locations throughout the world serving its specialty pizzas. Pizza Hut is owned by Yum! Brands, parent company of Taco Bell, KFC and formerly Long John Silver's and A&W Restaurants.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation ranges from $40,600 to $168,230 for a Pizza Hut Mini Kitchen; $109,700 to $179,230 for a Pizza Hut Kiosk; $99,200 to $199,230 for a Pizza Hut Retail Counter; $109,700 to $420,900 for a Pizza Hut Retail Counter with Seating; $241,550 to $472,000 for a Pizza Hut Full Kitchen with Seating (in each case, not including real property or signage), including $6,000 to $17,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.

    "Top  ""   "Entrepreneur

    #28 in Canada's Top franchises.

    "franchiserankingscom"
    #78 on Franchise Rankings.com
    #10 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #59 in Franchise 500 for 2021.