Boston Pizza Canada vs California Pizza Kitchen Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Boston Pizza Canada vs California Pizza Kitchen including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Boston Pizza Canada Franchise
California Pizza Kitchen Franchise
Investment $1,145,000 - $3,017,000N/A
Franchise Fee $50,000N/A
Royalty Fee 5%-
Advertising Fee 3%-
Year Founded 19631985
Year Franchised 19680
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee 20% of current fee-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Boston Pizza Canada Franchise
California Pizza Kitchen Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • * Proven track record in the restaurant industry * Current ownership of multiple restaurants with an established infrastructure, preferably full service U.S. brands * Previous franchise restaurant experience * Strong knowledge of market trends, real estate, governmental issues, distribution and labor * Minimum of $5 Million total net worth * Minimum of $2 Million cash available for investment * Franchise partner must have the resources and be willing to send multiple managers and several key restaurant employees to California for a 3 month training program. * All minimum requirements are subject to California Pizza Kitchen's collective evaluation of the potential franchise partner If you feel you meet the initial criteria and are interested in franchise opportunities, please tell us more about yourself and your company in the following preliminary application.

    Financing Options

     
    Boston Pizza Canada Franchise
    California Pizza Kitchen 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/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Boston Pizza Canada Franchise
    California Pizza Kitchen Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives-
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising-
    Operations 10-20% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 70

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed.

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    Boston Pizza Canada Franchise
    California Pizza Kitchen Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    Company Overviews

    About Boston Pizza Canada

    Boston - The Gourmet Pizza has a long and eventful history ...that dates all the way back to 1964. It started with Gus Agiortis, a Greek immigrant who had jumped ship in Vancouver, and then opened the first Boston Pizza in Edmonton, Alberta in 1964. He worked tirelessly to make pizza a household name in Western Canada. Gus' first restaurant was known as "Boston Pizza and Spaghetti House." The company started franchising in 1968 and has since evolved from a "pizza joint" into a full service casual dining restaurant and sports bar. Six years after opening, Gus had 17 locations (two corporate and 15 franchised) in operation across Western Canada. Gus believed that a potential franchisee didn't need a restaurant background, but needed strong people skills, a passion for hard work and new horizons. This philosophy still stands true today.

    "Top

    #20 in Canada's Top franchises.


    About California Pizza Kitchen

    All U.S. Locations Are Company-Owned, Not Franchises

    Unlike most fast-food chains, all American locations are owned and operated by California Pizza Kitchen, as opposed to franchise owners. If you want to buy a California Pizza Kitchen for yourself, you’ll have to buy it overseas and run a company that already owns full-service restaurant chains. 

    California Pizza Kitchen
    is a leader in authentic California-style cuisine both domestically and internationally. Our diverse menu items from Kung Pao Spaghetti to Tostada Pizza provide an assortment of worldly flavors. In 1998, the first international CPK opened, beginning the company's global expansion. CPK is now considering additional expansion opportunities in select markets with experienced restaurant franchisees.
    California Pizza Kitchen is always looking for passionate, experienced partners to help us expand into new markets as we continue to grow our worldwide brand. We provide best-in-class training and development in all areas of our business in addition to on-the-ground support.
     
    International Franchising Requirements
     * Proven track record in the restaurant industry
     * Current ownership of multiple restaurants with an established infrastructure, preferably full service U.S. brands
     * Previous franchise restaurant experience
     * Strong knowledge of market trends, real estate, governmental issues, distribution and labor
     * Minimum of $5 Million total net worth
     * Minimum of $2 Million cash available for investment
     * Franchise partner must have the resources and be willing to send multiple managers and several key restaurant employees to California for a 3 month training program.
     * All minimum requirements are subject to California Pizza Kitchen's collective evaluation of the potential franchise partner