Farmer Boys vs Lindy - Gertie's Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Farmer Boys Franchise
Lindy - Gertie's Franchise
Investment $1,042,500 - $2,486,500$49,000 - And Up
Franchise Fee $45,000$9,500
Royalty Fee 5%-
Advertising Fee 3%2%
Year Founded 1981-
Year Franchised 1997-
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Farmer Boys Franchise
Lindy - Gertie's Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
    		• -

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

    Training & Support
     
    Farmer Boys Franchise
    Lindy - Gertie's 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 -
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO 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)

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    Farmer Boys Franchise
    Lindy - Gertie's 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 Lindy - Gertie's

    In 1974, businessman Joseph Yesutis fulfilled a life-long dream by purchasing the Lindy's Chili Company and the Gertie's Ice Cream Company. This dream, however, did not include putting the two concepts together. Only after analyzing the unique qualities of each business did he conceive of his remarkable innovation.

    Lindy's Chili was drawing huge lunch and dinner crowds, but slowed in the evenings. On the other hand, Gertie's Ice Cream did great business in the evenings when customers crowded in.

    Additionally, there was seasonal factors that effected business. Cold Chicago winters bolstered chili sales, while ice cream sales declined. And, of course, in the summer, ice cream soared past chili sales.

    Combining the two companies into a single specialty food business initially drew many puzzled looks.
    Chili and ice cream? Some people questioned Joe's judgment. But it really made remarkable business sense. The two specialties in fact, kept business steady throughout the day and throughout the year.

    Even more remarkable, chili and ice cream proved to be a delicious combination!
    The new Lindy Gertie's customers discovered that a bowl of the hot and spicy chili followed by a cool, refreshing ice cream was indeed a unusually satisfying experience.

    The Lindy-Gertie's Franchise Opportunity Could Be Your Recipe For A Great Future! Since 1901, Gertie's Ice Cream and since 1924, Lindy's Chili have been serving the Chicagoland area. Be a part of that history. Contact us today.