Farmer Boys vs Zero's Subs Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Farmer Boys Franchise
Zero's Subs Franchise
Investment $1,042,500 - $2,486,500$150,000 - $250,000
Franchise Fee $45,000$15,000
Royalty Fee 5%6%
Advertising Fee 3%-
Year Founded 19811967
Year Franchised 19971996
Term Of Agreement 20 years15 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years15 years
Renewal Fee -10% of current franchise fee


Business Experience Requirements
 
Farmer Boys Franchise
Zero's Subs Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Farmer Boys Franchise
    Zero's Subs Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Farmer Boys Franchise
    Zero's Subs Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 480 hours Classroom Training: 60 hours -
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO Loyalty program/app Ad slicks, National media
    Operations 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)

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (70% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Farmer Boys Franchise
    Zero's Subs Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    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.

    About Zero's Subs

    In 1967, Gene Schmidt started ZERO'S SUBS. Zero’s Subs is one of the largest regional sandwich franchises in the U.S. with more than 30 restaurants nationally. Since its inception in Virginia Beach in 1967, Zero’s Subs has created a proven fast, casual concept which offers high-quality foods, such as hot oven-baked subs, hearth-baked bread, Hormel meats, buffalo chicken wings, innovative health-conscious salads, wraps and pizza - all under one roof.