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Updated RecentlyRusso's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen vs California Pizza Kitchen Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Russo's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen vs California Pizza Kitchen including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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| Investment | $295,000 - $750,000 | N/A |
| Franchise Fee | $49,500 | N/A |
| Royalty Fee | 7% | - |
| Advertising Fee | 2% | - |
| Year Founded | 1992 | 1985 |
| Year Franchised | 1998 | 0 |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years+5 | - |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years+5 | - |
| Renewal Fee | - | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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| Experience | No Restaurant experience necessary but helpful Minimum financials are $175K to $400K in investment capital and a $600K to $1.0MM net worth | * 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 |
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| In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
| Franchise Fees | -/Yes | -/- |
| Start-up Costs | -/Yes | -/- |
| Equipment | -/Yes | -/- |
| Inventory | -/Yes | -/- |
| Receivables | -/- | -/- |
| Payroll | -/Yes | -/- |
Training & Support |
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| Training | 8 Week GM & Key Supervisor Training and Certification | - |
| Support | - | - |
| Marketing | - | - |
| Operations | On site pre and post opening training and operational support with quarterly QA Visits. | - |
Expansion Plans |
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| US Expansion | - | - |
| Canada Expansion | - | - |
| International Expansion | - | - |
Company Overviews
About Russo's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen
Using the family recipe for hand-tossed dough, the sauce made from fresh-crushed California tomatoes, and imported Italian cheese blends, Anthony became the sole owner and chef of his first restaurant Russo’s Pizza in the early 80’s. "It was 800 square feet. I had a pizza oven, a dough mixer and two tables. That's it. I could only sit eight people.” A few years later, he created Anthony’s Pizzeria, located in Clear Lake, Texas, and soon moved to Houston.
For almost a decade, Anthony refined his menu using classic Italian family recipes and zeroed in on the perfect New York-style pizza. In 1992, Russo’s New York Pizzeria opened in downtown Houston, Texas and proved to be a success.
For almost a decade, Anthony refined his menu using classic Italian family recipes and zeroed in on the perfect New York-style pizza. In 1992, Russo’s New York Pizzeria opened in downtown Houston, Texas and proved to be a success.
Russo's Restaurants is a national and international franchisor of the fast casual and casual dining brands Russo's New York Pizzeria and Russo's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen. Based in Houston, Russo's Restaurants are composed of a mix of corporate and franchised locations across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Florida and Hawaii. Russo's has entered international markets as well, with locations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. There are an additional 20-plus units in development both in the United States and internationally. Chef Anthony Russo has created his concepts from years of applying his unique, family recipes featuring New York-style pizza along with a broad variety of handcrafted pasta creations, calzones, salads, sandwiches, soups and desserts, reflecting his commitment to his New York roots where food and family come first.
About California Pizza Kitchen
All U.S. Locations Are Company-Owned, Not Franchises
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