Big Boy Restaurants vs Symposium Cafe Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Big Boy Restaurants Franchise
Symposium Cafe Franchise
Investment $861,800 - $3,568,000$625,000 - $675,000
Franchise Fee $40,000$40,000
Royalty Fee 4%4%
Advertising Fee 1% local +2% Nat'l1%
Year Founded 19361996
Year Franchised 19522004
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Big Boy Restaurants Franchise
Symposium Cafe Franchise
Experience
  • Industry & general business experience preferred
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Big Boy Restaurants Franchise
    Symposium Cafe 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
    Symposium Cafe Franchise
    Training -3 full months of training for up to three individuals at an existing Symposium Cafe location.
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesA transition tutor is assigned to directly assist you on a regular basis in your restaurant franchise for a period of 10 weeks. This tutor works closely with you through the opening stages of your cafe, the day-to-day operating systems and procedures to ensure a successful start-up of your restaurant. This program is designed to strengthen and build the Franchise operators commitment to our proven systems. Our unique 10 weeks in-store program is crucial to building your team, establishing a strong customer base, growing restaurant sales and operating a successful Symposium Cafe franchise. The field consulting team provides ongoing support and training through restaurant visits and coaching. They ensure all Symposium Cafe systems, specifications and standards are in place to drive consistent operations and profitable sales. Professional operations staff makes ongoing visits to your restaurant to hear any concerns you may have. They'll also conduct restaurant audits, which expose areas of concern within your operation. Our regional managers work with our Franchisees to develop action plans to correct and eliminate any problems uncovered.
    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
    Symposium Cafe Franchise
    US Expansion --
    Canada Expansion NoYes
    International Expansion Yes-

    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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    About Symposium Cafe

    The Symposium Cafe Restaurant - a unique cafe and restaurant franchising opportunity, that is both challenging and rewarding and is redefining the cafe experience. Our competitive advantages stem from the foundation of our gourmet restaurant franchises through to the corporate infrastructure, operational systems and support, and our supplier partnerships. Our franchise system guides each of the franchisees through every facet of the restaurant operation. Upon becoming familiar with our system each franchisee will be able to train and develop each of their associates in all areas of the restaurant business. Our system revolves around the philosophy of "Continued Training" to guarantee our team meets and exceeds our dining patrons expectations. All positional training techniques are clearly outlined in our restaurant manuals with easy to implement instructions. Our restaurant cost management system, indexed in our operations manual, is designed to provide you with the necessary tools to completely analyze and understand your restaurant franchises business both from a sale and cost perspective. Informative and educational restaurant symposiums are held with the main focus and discussion revolving around driving and developing our restaurant and patio sales while controlling costs using our proven cafe systems. All of these elements make The Symposium Cafe franchise a successful, rewarding restaurant franchises opportunity.