Buffalo Wild Wings vs Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shops Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Buffalo Wild Wings vs Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shops including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
Investment |
$2,695,100 - $4,244,300 | $313,600 - $556,100 |
Franchise Fee |
$25,000 | $35,000 |
Royalty Fee |
5% | 6% |
Advertising Fee |
3.25% | 4.5% |
Year Founded |
1982 | 1983 |
Year Franchised |
1991 | 1993 |
Term Of Agreement |
10 years | 10 years |
Term Of Agreement |
10 years | 10 years |
Renewal Fee |
$5K | $2.5K |
Business Experience Requirements |
Experience |
General business experience Track record of success | General business experience |
Financing Options |
|
In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party |
Franchise Fees |
No/No | No/Yes |
Start-up Costs |
No/No | No/Yes |
Equipment |
No/No | No/Yes |
Inventory |
No/No | No/Yes |
Receivables |
No/No | No/No |
Payroll |
No/No | No/No |
Training & Support |
Training |
- | - |
Support |
Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations |
Marketing |
Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising |
Operations |
Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 50% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 40
- 60
Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (80% of current franchisees are owner/operators) | - |
Expansion Plans |
US Expansion |
Yes | - |
Canada Expansion |
No | No |
International Expansion |
Yes | No |
Company Overviews
About Buffalo Wild Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings got its start in 1981 after Jim Disbrow and Scott Lowery moved from Buffalo, New York, to Kent, Ohio. Unable to find authentic Buffalo-style chicken wings in their new town, they decided to open up their own restaurant. Originally called Buffalo Wild Wings & Weck (see Kummelweck) from which the abbreviation BW3 was created, the restaurant became a franchise with over 350 locations across most states of the U.S. The company later changed its name to Buffalo Wild Wings and is no longer uses the short name BW3.
The restaurant's theme is a sports bar / restaurant, and each location features multiple large screen televisions that are viewable from all seats. All locations also have game consoles devoted to NTN Trivia.
Buffalo Wild Wings is best-known for its buffalo wings with 12 signature sauces. They also have a full menu featuring salads, appetizers, burgers, and specialty items.
United States Franchising
We require that our U.S. franchise candidates have a minimum of USD
750,000 in liquid assets and a net worth of USD 1.5 million.
Additionally, there is a minimum commitment to develop at least 2
restaurants.International Franchising
We require that our international franchise candidates have a minimum
of USD 5 million in liquid assets and net worth of USD 10 million.
Additionally, there is a minimum commitment to develop at least 10
restaurants.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Buffalo Wild
Wings Sports Bar franchise ranges from $2,695,100 to $4,244,300. This
includes $10,000 to $55,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or an
affiliate.
If you sign an Area Development Agreement to develop multiple
Buffalo Wild Wings Sports Bars, the total investment necessary to begin
operation under the Area Development Agreement is $10,000 to $300,000.
This includes $10,000 to $30,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or
affiliate.
#159 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
About Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shops
James J. Liautaud established Jimmy John's in Charleston, Illinois, in 1983 when he was 19 years of age. With utilized hardware, a cooler, one meat slicer, a cooler and a stove, Jimmy John Liautaud began his business without even a posted menu or an open air sign. At the time, he offered four sandwich assortments and 25-penny sodas. In the wake of going out sandwich tests all through the school town, Liautuad included conveyance benefit, tables, open air signs, menu sheets and an extended menu. He opened a few more stores and built up a model before diversifying started in 1993. Jimmy John's franchisees prepare bread at every store each day, and each sandwich is made new to arrange in 30 seconds.
Watching your calories? Try our 'Unwich' A sandwich with lettuce for a wrapping, not bread !!
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Jimmy John's
Restaurant is $313,600 to $556,100 (including initial real estate lease
costs).
This includes $30,000 to $37,000 that must be paid to the
franchisor or affiliate.
If you want development rights (for a minimum
of 3 Restaurants), you must pay the franchisor a development fee equal
to $35,000 (the initial franchise fee for the first Restaurant), plus
the $30,000 initial franchise fee due under each additional Franchise
Agreement you sign when you sign the Development Rights Rider, plus a
deposit of $10,000 for each additional Restaurant you agree to develop
but for which you do not sign a Franchise Agreement when you sign the
Development Rights Rider.
#23 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
#72 in Franchise 500 for 2021.