Krystal Restaurants vs Whataburger Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Krystal Restaurants Franchise
Whataburger Franchise
Investment $900,000 - $1,300,000$1,200,000
Franchise Fee $32,500N/A
Royalty Fee 4.5%-
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19321950
Year Franchised 19900
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Renewal Fee $8.1K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Krystal Restaurants Franchise
Whataburger Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Krystal Restaurants Franchise
    Whataburger Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/-
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
    Equipment No/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/Yes-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Krystal Restaurants Franchise
    Whataburger Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives-
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising-
    Operations Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 94% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 30

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    Krystal Restaurants Franchise
    Whataburger Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion No-

    Company Overviews

    About Krystal Restaurants

    The Krystal Company is the oldest quick service restaurant chain in the South and the second oldest in the United States. The Chattanooga-based company currently has more than 450 restaurants in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Founded in 1932, Krystal restaurants have become more than sparkling-clean eateries where friendly employees serve up fresh, delicious food. Krystal has become a cultural icon and an experience that virtually every man, woman and child in the South has shared. Nearly everyone in the region has a Krystal memory. The Krystal brand, and the great food, service, value and setting which it represents, has taken a prominent place in the South's cultural landscape.

    About Whataburger

    A Great Company, A Great Burger. Those simple ideas have guided us through more than 70 years of Whataburger history, which began in 1950 when Harmon Dobson opened the first Whataburger in Corpus Christi, Texas. From day one, Harmon believed that valuing his employees would ensure the success of the company, and he was right. What was once a two-man burger stand has grown to over 650 Whataburger locations across 10 states. We are an uncommon company within the burger industry, because we've never compromised the quality of our products and we genuinely respect our people. We are a family owned and operated company and everyone who works at Whataburger - from the home office to the restaurants - is referred to as a Family Member.

    Whataburger doesn’t demand any kind of royalty fee.