BD's Mongolian Barbeque vs Gyu-Kaku Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of BD's Mongolian Barbeque vs Gyu-Kaku including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
BD's Mongolian Barbeque Franchise
Gyu-Kaku Franchise
Investment $881,000 - $2,276,500$1,200,444 - $2,526,540
Franchise Fee $45,000$50,000
Royalty Fee 5%4%-5%
Advertising Fee -1.5%
Year Founded 19921996
Year Franchised 19961997
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee 50% of fee at time of renewal-


Business Experience Requirements
 
BD's Mongolian Barbeque Franchise
Gyu-Kaku Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    BD's Mongolian Barbeque Franchise
    Gyu-Kaku Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/Yes-/-
    Start-up Costs No/No-/-
    Equipment No/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/No-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support
     
    BD's Mongolian Barbeque Franchise
    Gyu-Kaku Franchise
    Training Company certified training restaurant On-The-Job Training: 304 hours Classroom Training: 46 hours Additional Training: At company-owned restaurants
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluationsPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Security/Safety Procedures Site Selection
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National mediaCo-op Advertising Regional Advertising Social media Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 60% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 75 - 100

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

    		Absentee Ownership Allowed Number of Employees Required to Run: 20

    Expansion Plans
     
    BD's Mongolian Barbeque Franchise
    Gyu-Kaku Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About BD's Mongolian Barbeque

    BD's Mongolian Barbeque is the world's number one Create Your Own Stir-Fry restaurant concept where the guests choose their own ingredients from a great variety of meats, seafood, vegetables, salads, sauces and spices. The food is then prepared by master grillers on a 600 degree 7-foot grill. Since 1992, has been delivering a unique, interactive dining experience that sets us apart from the competition. has created a growing band of loyal customers that believe passionately about their ability to take charge of their own dining event. We call this our "You Rule the Experience" philosophy. The guests don't just like bd's, they "love it" as they feel they can take ownership of their own dining experience.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a bd’s Mongolian Grill® Restaurant is $881,000 to $2,276,500. This includes $45,000 to $65,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.
    Development fees for Area Development Agreements are $45,000 for the first restaurant plus $10,000 for each additional restaurant that you agree to develop under the terms of the franchisor’s development schedule. These amounts will be credited against the payment of your initial franchise fees for each restaurant that you develop.

    About Gyu-Kaku

    Gyu-Kaku System operates over 700 locations worldwide and has more than 10 years franchising experience in Japan.

    Reins International USA has more than 8 years operating experience in the U.S. to modify the system for the U.S. market w/ 12 units.
    Gyu-Kaku has been awarded the prestigious Hot Concept Award by the restaurant industry's premier trade publication, Nation's Restaurant News!
    We like to think of it as the Oscars of the restaurant business. The Hot Concept Award is given each year by the editors of NRN to six emerging restaurant brands that have distinguished themselves as Hot Concepts: "fast-growing, financially proven overachievers that are on their way to becoming tomorrow's giants." Each winner must be a clearly defined concept that appeals to consumers and positions the company at the leading edge of foodservice.
    The goal is to recognize brands for their innovation, successful business strategies and entrepreneurial spirit.

    The initial franchise fee is $50,000. The estimated investment necessary to begin operation of a Gyu-Kaku franchise unit franchise range is $1,200,444 to $2,526,540. This includes $56,500 to $71,500 that is paid to the franchisor and its affiliates.
    The franchisor may also offer you the optional right to execute an Area Development Agreement granting you a right to open one to four additional Outlets for an additional investment of $25,000 (for one additional Outlet) to $100,000 (for four additional Outlets), all of which must be paid to the franchisor.

    "Entrepreneur

    #240 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #227 in Franchise 500 for 2021.