Church's Chicken vs Buffalo's Southwest Cafe Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Church's Chicken vs Buffalo's Southwest Cafe including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Church's Chicken Franchise
Buffalo's Southwest Cafe Franchise
Investment $348,300 - $1,826,300$491,500 - $1,464,000
Franchise Fee $15,000$50,000
Royalty Fee 5%6%
Advertising Fee 5%2%
Year Founded 19521985
Year Franchised 19721989
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Renewal Fee $10K/15K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Church's Chicken Franchise
Buffalo's Southwest Cafe Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
    • Buffalo's requires a minimum net worth of $1,500,000 (excluding automobiles, furnishings and personal residences), with a minimum of $500,000 in liquid assets. Liquid assets are defined as those which can be converted to cash within thirty (30 days).
    • The cost of establishing a Buffalo's restaurant will vary according to the size of the facility, relative land issues and the extent of necessary leasehold improvements. Twenty-five percent of the total cost must be funded from personal resources. The remainder may be funded through traditional financial institutions or our approved lending sources.

    Financing Options

     
    Church's Chicken Franchise
    Buffalo's Southwest Cafe Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/-
    Start-up Costs No/No-/-
    Equipment No/No-/-
    Inventory No/No-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Church's Chicken Franchise
    Buffalo's Southwest Cafe Franchise
    Training -Proper training is absolutely essential for maintaining the consistency and integrity of the Buffalo's operation. To that end, we set rigorous standards for staff development. Franchisees will receive a detailed and comprehensive curriculum on operating their Buffalo's business. Every franchisee receives a set of Buffalo's manuals containing the entire training program. These can be kept on hand for reference to direct their daily operations. They provide quick and convenient information -- answering franchisee's questions regarding all operating procedures. Before a Franchisee can open their first Buffalo’s Cafe restaurant, the proposed primary operators of the restaurant will attend the Buffalo’s Cafe training course for 4-6 weeks. A Principal Owner will also participate in a 2 week Executive Training program. The franchisee is responsible for all costs incurred including travel and lodging of the management team
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesWhen a franchisee joins the Buffalo's Cafe family they benefit from the experience of a professional management team and a well-thought-out plan to help get their store(s) up and running quickly. When a franchisee joins the Buffalo's Cafe family, they receive support from an organization committed to success.
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertisingFollowing the development of a new site, the Buffalo's Cafe New Store Opening Guide and marketing department will assist a franchisee in planning their store opening. Franchisee's can rest assured that the Buffalo's team will be there to make sure the opening is a successful one. A handy Local Store Marketing Guide full of great promotional ideas and instructions for building store traffic is also available to franchisees.
    Operations Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 60% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Each franchisee is assigned a Buffalo's Cafe Franchise Consultant. The Buffalo's Cafe Franchise Consultants are available at all times to support franchisees, assure consistency of the Buffalo's Cafe brand and to assist franchisees in all areas of operations including financial analysis, marketing promotions and vendor selection.

    Expansion Plans

     
    Church's Chicken Franchise
    Buffalo's Southwest Cafe Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    Company Overviews

    About Church's Chicken

    The first "Church's Fried Chicken to Go" was located in downtown San Antonio, across the street from the Alamo. The restaurant sold only fried chicken. Church added French fries and jalape'os to the menu in 1955. George Church's idea paid off, and at the time of his death in 1956, four Church's were open. Other members of the family became active in the business, and by 1962 the chain had grown to eight locations in San Antonio. By 1989, Church's was the second-largest chicken franchise organization in the United States. That was the year it merged with the number three chicken chain, Popeyes' Famous Chicken & Biscuits, headquartered in New Orleans. The Church's concept remained distinct and separate from Popeyes'. Known for its Southern-style chicken, Church's also serves Southern specialties including fried okra, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob and its unique honey butter biscuits. It's your time to grow and Church's Chicken has the brand strength, innovative spirit and long-standing experience to position you for business growth and success. Future Church's franchisees will recognize this rich heritage and pride themselves on maintaining this tradition over time. If this is you - Welcome.

    The total investment necessary to begin the operation of a new free-standing Church’s Chicken Restaurant ranges from $1,159,150 to $1,603,300 for the 2200 Model, $1,097,150 to $1,541,300 for the 1850 Model and $681,500 or $959,800 for the End Cap Model. Each of these estimates includes a $10,000 Development Fee and a $15,000 Initial Franchise Fee that must be paid to Cajun by new franchisees. If you plan to develop multiple Church’s Chicken Restaurants, you will pay a Development Fee in the amount of $10,000 multiplied by the number of Restaurants that you plan to develop.

    About Buffalo's Southwest Cafe

    Our first restaurant opened its doors in 1985 in Roswell, Georgia. Since then, we’ve grown to over 25 Buffalo’s Cafe restaurants around the world (with plenty more coming soon to a city near you). Revered by our fans for our world-famous buffalo-style chicken wings and sauces - Buffalo’s Cafe is committed to serving the highest quality, fresh never frozen, buffalo-style chicken wings and sauces in a family-friendly environment with an exceptional guest experience. Most importantly, all you really need to know "About Us” are these two things: Wings and Family. Why are these so important to us? Because that’s what our fans want and that’s what we care about - making our fans happy.
    For qualified individuals, Buffalo's Southwest Cafe can be a great opportunity for single or multi-unit operators.