Big Boy Restaurants vs La Madeleine Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Big Boy Restaurants vs La Madeleine including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
Investment |
$861,800 - $3,568,000 | $1,249,362 - $3,088,747 |
Franchise Fee |
$40,000 | $40,000 |
Royalty Fee |
4% | 5% |
Advertising Fee |
1% local +2% Nat'l | 2.5% |
Year Founded |
1936 | 1983 |
Year Franchised |
1952 | 2011 |
Term Of Agreement |
20 years | Term of agreement not renewable |
Term Of Agreement |
20 years | Term of agreement not renewable |
Renewal Fee |
- | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
Experience |
Industry & general business experience preferred | • Passionate about the la Madeleine brand and our food
• $5 million net worth; liquid assets of $2.5 million
• Dedicated to developing multiple restaurants in a given market
• Excellent knowledge of the local retail real estate market
• Resources to develop and operate at least three (3) bakery cafés in a given territory
• Strong track record as a multi-unit restaurant operator
• Cultural fit |
Financing Options |
|
In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party |
Franchise Fees |
No/No | No/No |
Start-up Costs |
No/Yes | No/Yes |
Equipment |
No/Yes | No/Yes |
Inventory |
No/Yes | No/Yes |
Receivables |
No/Yes | No/Yes |
Payroll |
No/Yes | No/Yes |
Training & Support |
Training |
- | • Ongoing field support
• Store opening assistance
• Continuous training
• Extensive six-week training program for Operations Directors, General Managers, and Managers
• Ongoing culinary development
On-The-Job Training: 416 hours
Classroom Training: 64 hours
|
Support |
Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives | Real Estate
• Market evaluation and planning
• Site selection assistance
• LOI and contract negotiation assistance
• In-house real estate resources
• Identifying and securing local representation
Newsletter
Meetings/Conventions
Toll-Free Line
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security/Safety Procedures
Field Operations
Site Selection
Proprietary Software
Franchisee Intranet Platform
|
Marketing |
Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising |
• Grand opening assistance
• Store opening and PR resources
• Local marketing support
• Creative support for national promotional events
Co-op Advertising
Ad Templates
National Media
Regional Advertising
Social media
SEO
Email marketing
Loyalty program/app |
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 |
US Expansion |
- | Yes |
Canada Expansion |
No | - |
International Expansion |
Yes | 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.
#82 on Franchise Rankings.com
About La Madeleine
La Madeleine's serves handcrafted, crave-worthy country French-inspired dishes makes them a favorite with critics and guests alike. Their casual French home atmosphere and versatile menu makes them the perfect place for any meal or a special afternoon treat. La Madeleine guests are greeted with a friendly "bonjour" and an inviting ambiance where they can relax while enjoying time with friends and family. With a menu that satisfies cravings morning, noon, and night, it's no wonder guests keep coming back.
For experienced restaurateurs, la Madeleine presents an exciting, financially sound opportunity to share in a unique concept with great potential. At la Madeleine we pride ourselves on our handcrafted food and ambiance we share with our guests. But behind the scenes we work even harder to provide support to our franchisees to help them grow both their business and the la Madeleine brand.
We understand investing in the la Madeleine name and menu is just part of the equation for you. World-class operations and efficiencies are equally important and la Madeleine has those. Our commitment to you as a franchisee is to constantly work to find better, more efficient and more profitable ways to help you operate your la Madeleine franchise.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a
la Madeleine franchise is as follows:
- Traditional Café: $1,249,362 to $3,088,747 (excluding real estate
and landlord allowances). This includes $43,630 that must be paid to the
franchisor or their affiliates.
- Petite Café: $1,426,200 to $1,747,400. $390,983 to $1,718,012
(excluding real estate and landlord allowances). This includes between
$20,000 and $43,630 that must be paid to the franchisor or their
affiliates.
#125 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
#141 in Franchise 500 for 2021.