Pizza Hut vs California Pizza Kitchen Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Pizza Hut Franchise
California Pizza Kitchen Franchise
Investment $40,600 - $2,063,500N/A
Franchise Fee $25,000N/A
Royalty Fee 6%-
Advertising Fee 4.25%-
Year Founded 19571985
Year Franchised 19590
Term Of Agreement --
Term Of Agreement --
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Pizza Hut Franchise
California Pizza Kitchen Franchise
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
 
Pizza Hut 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
 
Pizza Hut Franchise
California Pizza Kitchen Franchise
Training On-The-Job Training: 8-12 weeks -
Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform-
Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Loyalty program/app-
Operations --

Expansion Plans
 
Pizza Hut Franchise
California Pizza Kitchen Franchise
US Expansion Yes-
Canada Expansion No-
International Expansion Yes-

Company Overviews

About Pizza Hut

While college students in Wichita, Kansas, Frank and Dan Carney were approached by a family friend with the idea of opening a pizza parlor. Inspired, the brothers borrowed $600 from their mother, purchased secondhand equipment, and rented a small building on a busy intersection in their hometown. With that, the first Pizza Hut opened its doors in 1958. More than 40 years later, Pizza Hut has locations throughout the world serving its specialty pizzas. Pizza Hut is owned by Yum! Brands, parent company of Taco Bell, KFC and formerly Long John Silver's and A&W Restaurants.

The total investment necessary to begin operation ranges from $40,600 to $168,230 for a Pizza Hut Mini Kitchen; $109,700 to $179,230 for a Pizza Hut Kiosk; $99,200 to $199,230 for a Pizza Hut Retail Counter; $109,700 to $420,900 for a Pizza Hut Retail Counter with Seating; $241,550 to $472,000 for a Pizza Hut Full Kitchen with Seating (in each case, not including real property or signage), including $6,000 to $17,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.

"Top  ""   "Entrepreneur

#28 in Canada's Top franchises.

"franchiserankingscom"
#78 on Franchise Rankings.com
#10 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
#59 in Franchise 500 for 2021.






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