Big Boy Restaurants vs Applebee's Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Big Boy Restaurants Franchise
Applebee's Franchise
Investment $861,800 - $3,568,000$2,009,038 - $8,267,250
Franchise Fee $40,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 4%4% initially, 5% possible after
Advertising Fee 1% local +2% Nat'lnot less than 4%
Year Founded 19361980
Year Franchised 19522014
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Big Boy Restaurants Franchise
Applebee's Franchise
Experience
  • Industry & general business experience preferred
  • Our Ideal Franchise Partner -Is committed to a long term franchise relationship built on trust and respect -Knows how to build a brand -Understands that accessible pricing and value are core components of casual dining -Has prior hospitality experience or knowledge, particularly in critical areas like supply chain, quality assurance, real estate development, and marketing -Has or will have infrastructure dedicated to the development of our brand -Has material liquidity and net worth, with access to capital -Has a track record of developing multi-unit restaurant systems

    Financing Options

     
    Big Boy Restaurants Franchise
    Applebee's 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/Yes-/-
    Payroll No/Yes-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Big Boy Restaurants Franchise
    Applebee's 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 20% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 60

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    Big Boy Restaurants Franchise
    Applebee's Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Big Boy Restaurants

    The Big Boy itself began with Bob Wian in Glendale, California. Bob sold his car for $350.00 and opened a small restaurant called Bob's Pantry. He set into operation a policy that persists today throughout all Big Boy restaurants ... the finest quality food and the best service. Members of an orchestra playing in the vicinity stopped in the restaurant and asked Bob Wian if he could dream up something different than just a plain hamburger. "Why not," Wian mused. As if his hands were guided by an unseen force, he cut a regulation hamburger bun into three slices, and inserted not one but two hamburger patties into place. It was then garnished with a special and very delectable relish he had prepared. Wian handed the innovation to the players and anxiously awaited the decision. "Wow," they chorused. "This is it!" and it was. Other customers saw him preparing it and asked for one. They agreed with the musicians. Wian had made a better hamburger. One day a chubby youngster walked into Wian's now flourishing restaurant. "He was about six," Bob recalled, - and rolls of fat protruded where his shirt and pants were designed to meet. I was so amused by the youngster -- jolly, healthy looking and obviously a lover of good things to eat, I called him Big Boy.. - So why not name the new hamburger Big Boy? Wian did. That was the birth of the first double-decker hamburger. At Big Boy, we thank all of those who served our country. For your service and dedication, Big Boy Franchise Management has created an incentive program for veterans of the United States Armed Forces. For qualified veterans, Big Boy has greatly reduced the initial Franchise Fee for your first Franchise Agreement. Initial Franchise Fee - $40,000 Military Incentive Program Initial Franchise Fee - $20,000 Being a Big Boy franchisee means you'll be part of one of America's most iconic brands. It also means you'll be backed by an exceptional team that will support your franchise and help it become successful. Learn more about owning your own Big Boy franchise by taking a look at our Virtual Brochure. There you can see what it could be like being your own burger boss.

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    #82 on Franchise Rankings.com

    About Applebee's

    Applebee's is the largest casual dining chain in the world with sales of $4.7 billion in 2006. Already the business staple of friendly casual dining, Applebee's is pursuing expansion opportunities, and is looking for individuals/firms with a serious interest in developing our successful brand internationally. For years Applebee's has embraced neighborhood culture, providing high-quality food and drinks in a friendly and informal atmosphere. Compared to the competition, Applebee's consistently delivers food to the consumer faster as well as more affordably. We plan to take this same mantra abroad, creating a warm, inviting dining experience designed around location-specific demographics and customer preference information.

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    #96 on Franchise Rankings.com