Russo's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen vs Western Pizza Express Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Russo's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen Franchise
Western Pizza Express Franchise
Investment $295,000 - $750,000$225,000 - $240,700
Franchise Fee $49,500$25,000
Royalty Fee 7%5%
Advertising Fee 2%3%
Year Founded 1992-
Year Franchised 1998-
Term Of Agreement 10 years+5-
Term Of Agreement 10 years+5-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Russo's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen Franchise
Western Pizza Express Franchise
Experience No Restaurant experience necessary but helpful Minimum financials are $175K to $400K in investment capital and a $600K to $1.0MM net worth-

Financing Options
 
Russo's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen Franchise
Western Pizza Express Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/Yes-/-
Start-up Costs -/Yes-/-
Equipment -/Yes-/-
Inventory -/Yes-/-
Receivables -/--/-
Payroll -/Yes-/-

Training & Support
 
Russo's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen Franchise
Western Pizza Express Franchise
Training 8 Week GM & Key Supervisor Training and Certification2 weeks training at one of our teaching restaurants in either Regina , Saskatchewan or Calgary, Alberta.
Support --
Marketing --
Operations On site pre and post opening training and operational support with quarterly QA Visits.* 2 or more persons (or companies) may team up to acquire a single restaurant.

* At least one trained owner/manager must work at your business full-time.

Expansion Plans
 
Russo's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen Franchise
Western Pizza Express Franchise
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.

 
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 Western Pizza Express

A Western Pizza Express franchise restaurant provides you with an opportunity to own and operate a business that is backstopped by an established company and product offerings. We can help you achieve financial security and build your net worth. The success of our franchise program is based on: * Low investment: Compared to other available franchises, Western Pizza Express Franchise offers great earning potential along with lower start up costs * Great food: Since 1976 we've been fine tuning our menu to provide the best quality in ingredients and preparation techniques. * Proven support systems: We have been supporting a multiple franchise operation since 1979. Our WPX Operations Manual details menu items, preparation techniques, store operations, marketing and advertising guidlines and other information to help you succeed. * Simplicity: We've fine tuned our menu and operating techniques in order to offer a distinctive menu while minimizing the need for high inventory levels. * Proven Operational Controls: Unique supplier arrangements and just in time delivery methods help us to maximize the efficiency of your franchise. * Benefit Package: Western Pizza has a complete benefit package for Owners, Management and Key Personnel. * Labour Assistance: Western Pizza has committed to tackle the labor shortage by bringing in Foreign Workers.