Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe vs Old Chicago Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe vs Old Chicago including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe Franchise
Old Chicago Franchise
Investment $338,050 - $610,000$1,331,500 - $2,187,000
Franchise Fee N/A$40,000
Royalty Fee 6%4%
Advertising Fee 2%3%
Year Founded 20051976
Year Franchised 20082000
Term Of Agreement --
Term Of Agreement --
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe Franchise
Old Chicago Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options
 
Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe Franchise
Old Chicago Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/--/-
Start-up Costs -/--/-
Equipment -/--/-
Inventory -/--/-
Receivables -/--/-
Payroll -/--/-

Training & Support
 
Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe Franchise
Old Chicago Franchise
Training 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.The Old Chicago training department will provide Franchisees, their management team, and staff, comprehensive training programs that combine both restaurant and classroom training. All Franchise management teams will receive seven weeks of in-store training at a designated Old Chicago training restaurant. On-The-Job Training: 350 hours
Support -A set of comprehensive manuals are provided to an Old Chicago Franchisee upon the signing of the Operating Agreement. These manuals are designed for easy reference and serve as an authoritative source of information about Old Chicago standard operating policies and procedures. These manuals are frequently updated to reflect Old Chicago's response to the changing needs of today's guests. Purchasing Co-ops Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software
Marketing -Old Chicago restaurants rely primarily on a Local Restaurant Marketing (LRM) program that allows each store to choose the marketing programs and promotions that match the needs of the individual store's market. Advertising and promotional materials are available at a reasonable cost to Franchisees that support a LRM program. As such we employ our own graphics designer to assist Franchise Partners with their LRM design needs. We also employ a marketing professional to consult with our Franchise Partners. Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Email marketing Loyalty program/app
Operations --

Expansion Plans
 
Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe Franchise
Old Chicago Franchise
US Expansion YesYes
Canada Expansion --
International Expansion No-

Company Overviews

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.

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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.


About Old Chicago

Opportunity Awaits
After 33 years of company growth, we are now offering a unique opportunity for a select number of entrepreneurs to take our proven brand into new markets.
Old Chicago is a leader in the casual dining pizza segment. We currently have territories available in many highly desirable markets, which presents an exceptional chance to establish our winning concept in choice locations.
WHY CHOOSE OLD CHICAGO?
Adaptable Site Requirements
Old Chicago's brand identity does not rely on a typical "box" to succeed. Our adaptive development strategy and flexible design allow stores to be constructed in many different types of sites, including prototype buildings, conversions/retro-fits, strip center end-cap locations, and non-traditional sites.
Sales Mix Advantage
With approximately 40% of historical system sales from our bar and drink business, Old Chicago's sales mix provides operators with a real opportunity to differentiate themselves from other casual dining concepts. Our high mix of bar sales is one of the main reasons why our stores experience exceptionally low Cost of Goods Sold (COGS). Our 60 company stores finished the year in 2008 with an average COGS of 25.6%.
Brand Strength & Versatility
Our brand has three decades of proven success and a loyal customer base in our existing markets. Old Chicago is a timeless concept that has that rare ability to appeal to a variety of consumers. Many casual dining concepts seem to copy each other in their menus and restaurant "feel". The Old Chicago concept is uniquely different.
Our bars have the rich, dark feel of a "freshly scrubbed joint". Our dining room areas with our new pizza bars really appeal to families and couples.
Broad Customer Appeal
Our bar area, along with our unique guest loyalty program -"The World Beer Tour" appeal to a younger, single customers. They create the high energy levels that have made our bars famous. With thirty beer varieties on tap, and another eighty varieties in bottles, we have created an exciting taste journey for our World Beer Tour members. No matter your age or occupation, there is a tremendous sense of accomplishment when your name goes on a plaque in your home store because you have completed the World Beer Tour.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of an Old Chicago Restaurant franchised business is between $1,331,500 and $1,957,000. This includes $98,250 and $135,250 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates.
The total investment necessary for an Area Development Franchise includes the investment necessary to begin operations of one Restaurant, plus a development fee of $50,000, plus an initial franchise fee deposit of $20,000 multiplied by the number of Restaurants (excluding the first Restaurant) which you must open.

The estimated total investment necessary to begin operation of an Old Chicago
Area Development Franchise is between $1,401,500 (for two Restaurants) and $2,187,000 (for ten Restaurants). This includes between $168,250 and $365,250 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates.

#299 in Franchise 500 for 2020.