Zoup! Fresh Soup Company vs Tom and Chee Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Zoup! Fresh Soup Company vs Tom and Chee including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Zoup! Fresh Soup Company Franchise
Tom and Chee Franchise
Investment $355,900 - $648,500$302,700 - $456,000
Franchise Fee $39,900$30,000
Royalty Fee 6%-
Advertising Fee 1%-
Year Founded 19982012
Year Franchised 20032017
Term Of Agreement 5 years, Renewable for 3 additional 5 year periods-
Term Of Agreement 5 years, Renewable for 3 additional 5 year periods-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Zoup! Fresh Soup Company Franchise
Tom and Chee Franchise
Experience
  • Restaurant experience is helpful but not required
  • Strong Management Skills Important
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Zoup! Fresh Soup Company Franchise
    Tom and Chee Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/Yes-/-
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
    Equipment No/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/Yes-/-
    Receivables No/Yes-/-
    Payroll No/Yes-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Zoup! Fresh Soup Company Franchise
    Tom and Chee Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 72 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours -
    Support Purchasing Co-ops 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 Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app -
    Operations 30% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10 - 14

    Absentee Ownership Allowed

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    Zoup! Fresh Soup Company Franchise
    Tom and Chee Franchise
    US Expansion NoYes
    Canada Expansion Yes-
    International Expansion No-

    Company Overviews

    About Zoup! Fresh Soup Company

    The first Zoup! opened in 1998 in Southfield, MI, a suburb of Detroit. Over the next five years, the founders opened five more Detroit-area locations, and in 2003 they began to franchise the concept. Zoup! restaurants feature 12 rotating daily varieties of soup, including low-fat, vegetarian, gluten and dairy free options. Made-to-order salads, sandwiches and baked goods are also available.

    Seeking new franchise units in Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Midwest, Northeast, West, Canada
    Veteran Incentives  $2,500 off franchise fee

    "Top
    #53 in Gator's Top franchises.

    About Tom and Chee

    "Tom

    After expanding to more than 12 locations across seven states,
    Tom & Chee is poised for a new era of rapid growth. With a simplified business model, state-of-the-art training and technology, a new menu and restaurant design, and new leadership with over 50+ years in the franchise industry, Tom & Chee is ready to welcome passionate franchisees who want to own a business that brings joy and love to their communities. Here’s why Tom & Chee stands out as a wise sandwich & grilled cheese franchise investment:

    Tom & Chee is creating a new category within the sandwich space,” says Roger David, CEO & President of Tom & Chee. “There’s something really special about our brand. We’re changing the game with our sandwich & grilled cheese franchise. It’s new, but also nostalgic. When our customers taste our food they think of Mom. They think of childhood with grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. We have created such a unique menu, with wonderful recipes and food made fresh in-house, and now we have a robust culture of franchise support that is going to take Tom & Chee to the next level. We’re looking for franchisees who are food-centric. If you love food, love people and love community, then you should be a part of a Tom & Chee.”

    The estimated initial investment necessary to begin operation of a Tom & Chee Restaurant franchise ranges from $302,700 to $456,000. This includes $30,000 (if this is the first Tom & Chee franchise you have purchased), $15,000 (if this is your second, third or fourth Tom & Chee franchise you have purchased) or $5,000 (if this is your fifth or greater Tom & Chee franchise you have purchased) that must be paid to the franchisor. The estimated initial investment does not include real estate, related improvement costs or tenant improvement allowances.