Pizza Ranch vs Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Pizza Ranch vs Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
| Investment |
$769,200 - $3,459,498 | $338,050 - $610,000 |
| Franchise Fee |
$30,000 | N/A |
| Royalty Fee |
4% | 6% |
| Advertising Fee |
2.25% | 2% |
| Year Founded |
1981 | 2005 |
| Year Franchised |
1984 | 2008 |
| Term Of Agreement |
10 years | - |
| Term Of Agreement |
10 years | - |
| Renewal Fee |
$2500 | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
| Experience |
- | - |
Financing Options |
| |
In-House/3rd Party | In-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 |
| Training |
4-week manager training program. General managers/operators split their time between classroom training at our Restaurant Support Center in Orange City, IA and hands-on training at one of our training stores. In addition, a Pizza Ranch Store Opening Team provides pre-opening in-store training for your staff and will work with your team during and after the restaurant opening. | 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 |
- | - |
| Marketing |
- | - |
| Operations |
- | - |
Expansion Plans |
| US Expansion |
- | Yes |
| Canada Expansion |
No | - |
| International Expansion |
No | No |
Company Overviews
About Pizza Ranch
The Midwest is home to Pizza Ranch and we're proud of it. Every day, we provide an extraordinary opportunity for Pizza Ranch team members to contribute to the lives and communities we serve.
Successful Pizza Ranch owners may be a bit different from traditional franchising investors. In addition to operating a winning business concept, a Pizza Ranch operator/manager is connected personally to the community. It is part of who we are. Owning your own Pizza Ranch is about contributing to the local school system. It is about providing positive first-time work experience to area youth. It is about pitching in and helping with a fund raising drive. It is about the basics - trust, commitment, passion and a good old smile for everyone who comes in the door.
If a winning pizza restaurant franchise concept sounds good to you, you may find a welcome home at Pizza Ranch. You can own a business by buying a franchise with an outstanding track record.
Our expansion into new markets around the greater Midwest is opening up exciting new franchise opportunities. Becoming an owner/operator of a Pizza Ranch allows you to partner with an established brand, already strong with over 140 restaurants in 9 states.
* Start-up investment levels vary depending on the store profile; free-standing, ground-up building, retrofited structure, purchase of an existing store. Minimum liquid cash assets and financial net worth requirements are adjusted accordingly.
* Although not required, it is strongly recommended that the restaurant operator have an equity stake of the business/real estate.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Pizza Ranch®
franchise is from $769,200 to $1,840,750 if you lease or remodel your
Restaurant and $1,794,500 to $2,624,500 if you build a new Restaurant.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Pizza Ranch®
franchise is from $1,257,198 to $2,542,748 if you lease or remodel your
Restaurant equipped with a FunZone and $2,352,498 to $3,459,498 if you
build a new Restaurant equipped with a FunZone. This includes $44,500
that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliate.
#170 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
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.

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.