California Pizza Kitchen vs Russo's New York Pizzeria Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
California Pizza Kitchen Franchise
Russo's New York Pizzeria Franchise
Investment N/A$400,000 - $1,500,000
Franchise Fee N/A$49,500
Royalty Fee -7%
Advertising Fee -2%
Year Founded 19851978
Year Franchised 01998
Term Of Agreement -10 years +5
Term Of Agreement -10 years +5
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
California Pizza Kitchen Franchise
Russo's New York Pizzeria 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.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

 
California Pizza Kitchen Franchise
Russo's New York Pizzeria Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/--/-
Start-up Costs -/--/-
Equipment -/--/-
Inventory -/--/-
Receivables -/--/-
Payroll -/--/-

Training & Support

 
California Pizza Kitchen Franchise
Russo's New York Pizzeria Franchise
Training -Corporate Store, Houston, TX . 8 Week GM & Key Supervisor Training and Certification.
Support -Central Data Processing: At Additional Cost

Field Operation Evaluation: At Additional Cost

Field Training: At Additional Cost Initial Store Opening

Inventory Control

Regional or National Meetings

800 Telephone Hotline

Marketing --
Operations -Average Number of Employees: 10 Full-time, 6 Part-time

Passive Ownership: Allowed, But Discouraged


Expansion Plans

 
California Pizza Kitchen Franchise
Russo's New York Pizzeria Franchise
US Expansion -Yes
Canada Expansion --
International Expansion -Yes

Company Overviews

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

About Russo's New York Pizzeria

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.