CiCi's Pizza vs Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
CiCi's Pizza Franchise
Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe Franchise
Investment $209,962 - $1,056,527$338,050 - $610,000
Franchise Fee $30,000N/A
Royalty Fee 4 - 6%6%
Advertising Fee greater of $2300 or 3% of sales2%
Year Founded 19852005
Year Franchised 19872008
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
CiCi's Pizza Franchise
Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    CiCi's Pizza Franchise
    Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe 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
    Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe 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)Training is about 6 weeks long at a Pickleman's Corporate Location. Pickleman’s does not charge for the initial training program for you and 1 designated manager. You are responsible for wages, travel, and living expenses for the duration of training.
    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
    Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion NoNo

    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 Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe

    After working in the franchise and restaurant industry for 16 years Doug Stritzel, founder and owner of Pickleman’s, began his quest to realize his longtime dream of building a distinct new dining concept.
    In October 2005 Doug opened the first Pickleman’s in Columbia, MO. In January 2008 the second Pickleman’s was opened. Today, Pickleman’s has 22 locations and counting, three in Columbia, MO, two in Springfield, MO, six in St Louis, MO, one in Lincoln, NE, one in Lawrence, KS, four in Kansas City, two in Omaha, NE, and one in Norman, OK.

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    Pickleman’s focuses above all on using the highest quality product and creating profound and unique flavor profiles people love. Offering a wide array of all natural products with the freshest ingredients gives our Toasted Sandwiches, Pizzas, Soups, Salads and Desserts a quality that sets us apart. Our Delivery and Catering services allow us to serve large groups, cater events, and provide you with our superior service at your door.
    Doug has plans to expand the Pickleman’s franchise and share his passion for high quality food with the world. His goal is to establish and continue to develop his own brand and someday be successful enough to spend lots of time with two wonderful children, Jack and Audrey.

    At Pickleman's, we are committed to helping aspiring entrepreneurs make their dreams a reality. We believe that franchising benefits our company, entrepreneurs like you, and our customers. Combining our proven business model with your drive and ambition can produce an excellent experience for our customers, which in turn leads to more business and greater profits for everyone involved.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Pickleman’s Gourmet Cafe is from $338,050 to $610,000. This includes the $30,415 to $31,400 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates. If you want to obtain area development rights pursuant to an Area Development Agreement, you will pay a Development Fee of ½ of the Initial Franchise Fee for each proposed Unit when you sign the Area Development Agreement.