LaMar's Donuts vs Erik's DeliCafe Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of LaMar's Donuts vs Erik's DeliCafe including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
LaMar's Donuts Franchise
Erik's DeliCafe Franchise
Investment $288,500 - $366,500$303,500 - $521,600
Franchise Fee $28,500$35,000
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19601973
Year Franchised 19931986
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
LaMar's Donuts Franchise
Erik's DeliCafe Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    LaMar's Donuts Franchise
    Erik's DeliCafe Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/No
    Equipment No/NoNo/No
    Inventory No/NoNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    LaMar's Donuts Franchise
    Erik's DeliCafe Franchise
    Training As needed-
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingCo-op advertising, Ad slicks
    Operations

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 15

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (75% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    78% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 16

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


    Expansion Plans

     
    LaMar's Donuts Franchise
    Erik's DeliCafe Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoNo

    Company Overviews

    About LaMar's Donuts

    Ray Lamar found his way into the donut business at the age of 17, working as a fryer at a Kansas City, Missouri, shop. Lamar made his way up to being a partner in the company, but World War II cut the partnership short. Upon his return, Lamar earned a degree in economics and began a career as a stockbroker, but donuts remained the business he truly loved.

    In 1960, nearly 30 years after first manning the fryer, Lamar opened his first LaMar's Donuts shop in Kansas City. The company began franchising in 1993 and is now based in Englewood, Colorado.

    About Erik's DeliCafe

    After receiving his bachelor's degree in business and marketing, Erik Johnson tried his hand at accounting, security, food service and real estate before purchasing a 600-square-foot store in Scotts Valley, California, back in 1973. With help from his family, Johnson founded Erik's Deli Cafe, a quick-service and catering restaurant that served sandwiches, salads, soups and baked goods.

    Johnson expanded his chain throughout Northern California before selling the first franchise in 1986.