Tim Hortons vs Buffalo Wild Wings Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Tim Hortons vs Buffalo Wild Wings including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
Investment |
$135,300 - $2,068,500 | $2,695,100 - $4,244,300 |
Franchise Fee |
$35,000 | $25,000 |
Royalty Fee |
4.5% | 5% |
Advertising Fee |
4% of Gross Sales | 3.25% |
Year Founded |
1964 | 1982 |
Year Franchised |
1965 | 1991 |
Term Of Agreement |
10 years | 10 years |
Term Of Agreement |
10 years | 10 years |
Renewal Fee |
- | $5K |
Business Experience Requirements |
Experience |
*An entrepreneurial drive and ability to build a high performing team.
*Prior management experience. Experience in food service and/or restaurant operations is a plus.
*A lifestyle that allows for the time commitment required to launch and build a franchise restaurant.
*Net worth of $500,000 and liquidity in the amount of $300,000 (The full investment from a Tim Hortons could be over $1,600,000)
*A personal passion and commitment to the development of the Tim Hortons brand.
*Ability to exemplify and execute the Tim Hortons principles and standards of operation on a daily basis.
*Understand the importance of being a community partner that is proud to represent Tim Hortons. | General business experience Track record of success |
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 |
New franchisees undergo an intensive seven week training program at the Tim Hortons University, located next to the Oakville, Ontario, head office. The facility includes classrooms and a fully operational Restaurant, providing trainees with intensive hands-on experience in the preparation of all Tim Hortons products. Strong emphasis is placed on food handling and hygiene procedures, Team Member relations, equipment maintenance and in-Restaurant security systems.
* Seven (7) week training program in the Oakville, Ontario, at Tim Hortons University
* A Restaurant opening crew/Manager of Operations Standards (MOS) to assist the opening of the Tim Hortons Restaurant (for a maximum period of two weeks) | - |
Support |
* The use of all Tim Hortons Manuals
* Support from head office personnel who have vast knowledge in the food service business | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives |
Marketing |
Ad slicks, Regional advertising | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising |
Operations |
58% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 25
- 30
Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 50% 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. (80% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
Expansion Plans |
US Expansion |
Yes | Yes |
Canada Expansion |
No | No |
International Expansion |
Yes | Yes |
Company Overviews
About Tim Hortons
Tim Hortons is one of North America's largest developers and franchisors of quick service restaurants and one of the largest publically traded restaurant chains in North America based on market capitalization.
Founded in 1964 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Tim Hortons is one of the fastest growing coffee and bakery franchises in America and an industry leader in same stores sales with more than 4,000 restaurants worldwide (as of April 1, 2013). Today, our U.S. restaurants are primarily located in New York, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Maine. We have plans to grow our franchise opportunities throughout the U.S. in the coming years.
We are far beyond coffee and donuts.Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shops is proud to serve "Always Fresh Premium Coffee," the coffee that has made us famous, as well as our always fresh baked goods, home-style soups, fresh sandwiches and wraps, hot breakfast sandwiches and specialty teas.
We offer a variety of menu items that entice guests to visit our restaurants during all day parts including breakfast, lunch, dinner and the fastest growing category is the QSR category, late night snacking.
From full-service restaurant franchises, to custom-built kiosks and a wide range of non-traditional venues, we build our restaurants to fit anywhere while maintaining the exceptional quality, freshness, convenience customers expect. Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shops have become a daily ritual in the lives of our guests through the quality and value of our products. This brand loyalty has been earned in partnership with franchisees, which we call our restaurant owners, by delivering superior products and services to our guests and communities through leadership, innovation and partnerships.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Tim Hortons
franchise under a Franchise Agreement (excluding real property) ranges
from $298,650 to $1,394,000 for a Non-Standard Shop/Kiosk, and from
$1,009,000 to $2,068,500 for a Standard Shop. This includes $103,100 to
$496,400 for a Non-Standard Shop/Kiosk and $389,600 to $511,400 for a
Standard Shop that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Co-Branded
Restaurant franchise under a Franchise Agreement (excluding real
property) ranges from $695,500 to $1,837,400 for a newly-built
Co-Branded Restaurant and from $135,300 to $219,600 for a Tim Hortons
restaurant that is renovated to become a Co-Branded Restaurant. This
includes $466,000 to $686,500 for a newly-built Co-Branded Restaurant
and $5,500 to $177,600 for a Tim Hortons restaurant that is renovated to
become a Co-Branded Restaurant that must be paid to the franchisor or
an affiliate.
Tim Hortons is the # 1 Canadian franchise for 2020.
#44 on Franchise Rankings.com
About Buffalo Wild Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings got its start in 1981 after Jim Disbrow and Scott Lowery moved from Buffalo, New York, to Kent, Ohio. Unable to find authentic Buffalo-style chicken wings in their new town, they decided to open up their own restaurant. Originally called Buffalo Wild Wings & Weck (see Kummelweck) from which the abbreviation BW3 was created, the restaurant became a franchise with over 350 locations across most states of the U.S. The company later changed its name to Buffalo Wild Wings and is no longer uses the short name BW3.
The restaurant's theme is a sports bar / restaurant, and each location features multiple large screen televisions that are viewable from all seats. All locations also have game consoles devoted to NTN Trivia.
Buffalo Wild Wings is best-known for its buffalo wings with 12 signature sauces. They also have a full menu featuring salads, appetizers, burgers, and specialty items.
United States Franchising
We require that our U.S. franchise candidates have a minimum of USD
750,000 in liquid assets and a net worth of USD 1.5 million.
Additionally, there is a minimum commitment to develop at least 2
restaurants.International Franchising
We require that our international franchise candidates have a minimum
of USD 5 million in liquid assets and net worth of USD 10 million.
Additionally, there is a minimum commitment to develop at least 10
restaurants.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Buffalo Wild
Wings Sports Bar franchise ranges from $2,695,100 to $4,244,300. This
includes $10,000 to $55,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or an
affiliate.
If you sign an Area Development Agreement to develop multiple
Buffalo Wild Wings Sports Bars, the total investment necessary to begin
operation under the Area Development Agreement is $10,000 to $300,000.
This includes $10,000 to $30,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or
affiliate.
#159 in Franchise 500 for 2020.