Farmer Boys vs The Counter Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Farmer Boys Franchise
The Counter Franchise
Investment $1,042,500 - $2,486,500$711,133 - $1,939,750
Franchise Fee $45,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 5%6%
Advertising Fee 3%2%
Year Founded 19812003
Year Franchised 19972005
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Farmer Boys Franchise
The Counter Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Farmer Boys Franchise
    The Counter Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/Yes-/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/Yes
    Equipment No/Yes-/Yes
    Inventory No/No-/Yes
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Farmer Boys Franchise
    The Counter Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 480 hours Classroom Training: 60 hours On-The-Job Training: 964 hours Classroom Training: 164 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 Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO Loyalty program/app Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    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)

    Absentee Ownership Allowed

    Expansion Plans

     
    Farmer Boys Franchise
    The Counter Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion No-

    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 The Counter

    Our premium build-your-own burger experience offers over 312,000+ combinations, a modern industrial design and unique beers and wines. gourmet hamburger franchise franchising Featured in GQ magazine as "One of the 20 Hamburgers to eat before you die" and "Best Burger" on OPRAH, we are awarding area development agreements throughout the USA to multi-unit operators that qualify. We have more than 75+ stores currently in development throughout the U.S. We're looking for franchisees that would only consider a Custom Built Life by investing in a spirited brand that reflects a part of who you are and what you believe in. Join our effort to own the premium gourmet burger segment and let's have a good time doing it.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of The Counter franchise ranges from $724,133 to $1,939,750 for a traditional restaurant franchise and between $711,133 to $1,924,750 for a non-traditional restaurant. This includes $38,000 to $47,500 for a traditional and $25,000 to $32,500 for a
    non-traditional restaurant that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate.
    Veteran Incentives 20% off franchise fee