Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company vs Big Apple Bagels Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company vs Big Apple Bagels including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
Investment |
$1,010,985 - $2,252,846 | $298,000 - $405,000 |
Franchise Fee |
$35,000 | $25,000 |
Royalty Fee |
5% | 5% |
Advertising Fee |
- | 3% |
Year Founded |
1987 | 1993 |
Year Franchised |
1993 | 1993 |
Term Of Agreement |
20 years | 10 years |
Term Of Agreement |
20 years | 10 years |
Renewal Fee |
- | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
Experience |
*Experience as a multi-unit restaurant operator
*Recognition as a top restaurant operator
*Net worth of $7.5 million
*Liquid assets of $3 million
*Infrastructure and resources to meet our development schedule
*Real estate experience in the market to be developed
*Total commitment to the development of the Panera Bread brand
*Cultural fit and a passion for fresh bread
| General business experience |
Financing Options |
|
In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party |
Franchise Fees |
No/No | No/No |
Start-up Costs |
No/No | No/No |
Equipment |
No/No | No/No |
Inventory |
No/No | No/No |
Receivables |
No/No | No/No |
Payroll |
No/No | No/No |
Training & Support |
Training |
- | Our Training Sets Your Business Apart!
Our goal is to help you achieve excellence in every aspect of your business. Towards that ambitious goal, you and your key personnel will receive intensive training that covers all areas of the operation. Our training program, comprised of hands-on learning in our company-owned location and classroom instruction includes:
Day-to-day restaurant operations
Hiring, training, and retaining good employees
Maintaining financial controls
Orientation to your Marketing team that will coordinate your local advertising
Operational training at your location as you open
|
Support |
Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations | Our Support Sets Your Business Apart!
As a franchisor, BAB Systems, Inc. has always focused heavily on the level of support it provides to its franchisees and the importance of open lines of communication to foster strong franchisee relationships. Franchisees know they can count on us to watch our position within the industry and do what it takes to keep up with ever-changing consumer preferences and innovations in franchise support.
Of course, since the first franchise, technological advancements have changed the face of franchising. Accordingly, as its product offering has evolved, so has its franchise support program, which now includes an exclusive franchise intranet web site.
As a BAB Systems, Inc. franchisee, you'll receive guidance and assistance with the key steps involved in getting your new business up and running. Pre-opening support includes:
Site selection assistance.
Restaurant layout and design.
Coordination with national and regional suppliers.
Equipment, merchandise and services at negotiated rates.
Grand Opening marketing campaign.
Full seasonal marketing strategies, complete with compact disc for local production of advertising and other marketing materials.
E-Mail subscription program, through which participating franchisees are kept informed up to the minute on important breaking news as well as surveyed for their feedback.
A password-protected BAB Franchisee Intranet featuring a download center, on-line sales reporting, resource center and trading post.
The BAB Systems, Inc. franchise program is designed to help franchise owners reach their individual growth potential. Whether you are interested in owning one or several BAB Systems, Inc. stores, we'll work with you to determine the growth options that are right for you. |
Marketing |
Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising | Ad slicks, Regional advertising |
Operations |
Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 100% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 40
- 60
Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 20% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 15
Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (80% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
Expansion Plans |
US Expansion |
Yes | - |
Canada Expansion |
No | No |
International Expansion |
No | Yes |
Company Overviews
About Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company
After more than 17 years in the retail industry, Ken Rosenthal changed gears and founded Saint Louis Bread Co. in 1987. His goal was to create a neighborhood bakery where people could pick up fresh-baked bread, meals and snacks. In 1993, Rosenthal sold Saint Louis Bread to Au Bon Pain Co. Six years later, the company was renamed Panera Bread.
The future growth of Panera Bread will be based upon company bakery-cafe development as well as the continued sale of franchise area development agreements.
Panera Bread does not sell single-unit franchises, so it is not possible to open just one bakery-cafe. Rather, we have chosen to develop by selling market areas which require the franchise developer to open a number of units, typically 15 bakery-cafes in a period of 6 years.
Panera Bread franchises must be well-capitalized to open great bakery-cafes and meet this aggressive development schedule. Additionally, they must have a proven track record as excellent multi-unit restaurant operators to operate great Panera Bread bakery-cafes.
#38 on Franchise Rankings.com
About Big Apple Bagels
Big Apple Bagels is on the forefront of the fast casual dining boom. We stand apart from the crowd with growth and consumer appeal because of our commitment to excellence in all aspects of our business.
The Big Apple Bagels restaurant concept was developed to delight not only customers, but our franchise owner-operators as well. As a Big Apple Bagels franchisee, you'll be able to produce freshly baked Big Apple Bagels brand bagels, My Favorite Muffin brand gourmet muffins, a wide assortment of delicious sandwiches and salads, and serve our own Brewster's brand of brewed coffee and specialty drinks.
The Big Apple Bagels menu offers a broad range of lunch options to round out our menu and keep our customers coming back.
Unlike other sandwich concepts, Big Apple Bagels has a proven breakfast program. With the strength of the Big Apple Bagels, My Favorite Muffin and Brewster's coffee brands your restaurant doubles as a bakery-cafe. As another example of its multiple identities, the restaurant is not only a retail destination, but also a wholesale distributorship from which your baked-from-scratch bagels and muffins can be sold in bulk to corporate clients, restaurants, convenience stores and other businesses for resale. If you've been to one of our restaurants, you've seen -- and tasted -- what keeps our customers coming back for more: Big freshly baked bagels, made from scratch ... enhanced with our exclusive varieties of cream cheese, or made into a fresh deli or breakfast sandwich ... served with a cup of one of our gourmet Brewster's coffees.
The total initial investment necessary to begin operation of your
first Big Apple Bagels Production Store ranges from $298,000 - $405,000, including
$32,500 you must pay the franchisor or its affiliates.
The total initial
investment necessary to begin operation of your first Big Apple Bagels Satellite
Store ranges from $104,250 - $283,000, including $18,000 you must pay
the franchisor or its affiliates.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of your franchised Big Apple Bagels
Area Development business is from $45,000 to $205,000, all of which you
must pay the franchisor. That investment is in addition to the initial
investment for your Big Apple Bagels Store. Under the Area Development Agreement, you
must open a minimum of 2 Big Apple Bagels Stores.