CiCi's Pizza vs California Pizza Kitchen Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
CiCi's Pizza Franchise
California Pizza Kitchen Franchise
Investment $209,962 - $1,056,527N/A
Franchise Fee $30,000N/A
Royalty Fee 4 - 6%-
Advertising Fee greater of $2300 or 3% of sales-
Year Founded 19851985
Year Franchised 19870
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
CiCi's Pizza 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
     
    CiCi's Pizza Franchise
    California Pizza Kitchen 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
     
    CiCi's Pizza Franchise
    California Pizza Kitchen Franchise
    Training 8-12 week training process (the VP of Training may require additional training at his/her discretion, as successful completion of training is based on proficiency)-
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations-
    Marketing National advertising-
    Operations 60% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 25-30

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    CiCi's Pizza Franchise
    California Pizza Kitchen Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion No-

    Company Overviews

    About CiCi's Pizza

    Hi Welcome to CiCi's! - An endless pizza, pasta, salad & dessert buffet loved by families for delivering unbelievable value. CiCi's is also an unbelievable opportunity for passionate entrepreneurs who are looking to build their own business and take control of their financial futures. Entrepreneur Magazine ranked CiCi's as the top brand in the Italian restaurant franchise category & the Wall Street Journal's guide for entrepreneurs ranked CiCi's as one of the top 25 highest performing Brands in the nation. Join the CiCi's Family & you'll have access to state of the art systems and people to help you realize your full potential as a CiCi's Franchisee. At 650+ stores, CiCi's size & scale provides the system great buying power that keeps costs low and enables National TV Advertising. But it's also small enough to provide Franchisees hands-on guidance in site selection, store Operations/Training & local store marketing. There are Franchise opportunities available now! Visit www.cicispizza.com.

    The total initial investment necessary to begin operation of your Cicis Restaurant ranges from $697,500 to $1,056,527. These totals include approximately $208,485 to $279,942 that must/may be paid to the franchisor or their affiliate.
    The total initial investment necessary to begin operation of your Cicis To Go Restaurant ranges from $209,962 to $399,774. These totals include approximately $101,973 to $130,843 that must/may be paid to the franchisor or their affiliate.

    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