Erik's DeliCafe vs Mara's Cafe and Bakery Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Erik's DeliCafe Franchise
Mara's Cafe and Bakery Franchise
Investment $303,500 - $521,600N/A
Franchise Fee $35,000$25,000
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee -2% local + 1% Nat'l
Year Founded 19731984
Year Franchised 19862004
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Erik's DeliCafe Franchise
Mara's Cafe and Bakery Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • We are seeking motivated owner-operators with solid restaurant operating experience to join our system. In exchange, we will provide the tools and training you need to run your own Mara�s Caf� & Bakery location. We do, of course, also expect that you have the right amount of capital to invest in the franchise.

    Financing Options

     
    Erik's DeliCafe Franchise
    Mara's Cafe and Bakery Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/-
    Start-up Costs No/No-/-
    Equipment No/No-/-
    Inventory No/No-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Erik's DeliCafe Franchise
    Mara's Cafe and Bakery Franchise
    Training -Franchise owners and their key management staff will receive at least two weeks and up to three weeks of training, including both classroom and on-the-job training.
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluationsYour team will receive five days of onsite help at your own location around the time of your grand opening. You will have access to all Mara's Caf� & Bakery trademarks, recipes and supply chains, and our unique operational procedures. And, we'll provide you with a copy of our confidential operations manual to help you run your caf� properly.
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks-
    Operations 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

     
    Erik's DeliCafe Franchise
    Mara's Cafe and Bakery Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion No-

    Company Overviews

    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.

    About Mara's Cafe and Bakery

    The concept behind Mara's Cafe & Bakery got its start in 1984 when Mara and Glenn's "mom and pop" business began offering customers the highest quality, delectable desserts made fresh in our own bakery and served with freshly roasted coffee. It was with the encouragement of our family and friends that we began creating delicious desserts from traditional family recipes and Glenn, a coffee perfectionist, distinguished a unique line of roasted coffee products. It wasn't long before we had customers coming in and out daily, requesting more of their favorite tasty treats and coffee beverages!

    In 2004, sons Ian and Devan joined the family business with great plans of expansion. After nearly twenty years of establishing a reputation for serving up the best coffee and desserts in town, we knew it was time to expand not only our business, but our menu as well. The first Mara's Cafe & Bakery was opened in Denville, NJ. With the addition of sandwiches, salads, wraps, and more, this simple "mom and pop" concept quickly became a family-run business - and the dining destination of choice during all hours of the day. Customers from all over soon realized Mara's was the best place to enjoy a delicious meal in a cozy atmosphere and began asking for more locations within their own communities. Thus, the idea to franchise our concept was conceived - after all, we couldn't let our customers down!

    Now is the time for you to take advantage of this incredible opportunity and bring our amazing concept to your home town. Discover how becoming a Mara's Cafe & Bakery franchise owner can be the greatest reward of your career - and possibly your life. With the help of our team of experts, our exclusive, award-winning recipes, and our time- tested business model, opening your own Mara's Cafe & Bakery could be as easy as.... pie!

    We sincerely appreciate your interest in Mara's Cafe & Bakery, The Magley Family