Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe vs Vitality Bowls Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe Franchise
Vitality Bowls Franchise
Investment $338,050 - $610,000$170,100 - $604,000
Franchise Fee N/A$39,500
Royalty Fee 6%6%
Advertising Fee 2%1.5%
Year Founded 20052011
Year Franchised 20082014
Term Of Agreement -7 years
Term Of Agreement -7 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe Franchise
Vitality Bowls Franchise
Experience -

Franchisee Profile

*Passionate about VITALITY BOWLS *Passionate about healthy food and a healthy lifestyle *Local market knowledge *Minimum $30-60K liquid assets per store and total of $200k+ (May include lending) *Single store and multi unit development opportunities available, depending on your market *Retail or restaurant operations experience is helpful

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

Training & Support
 
Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe Franchise
Vitality Bowls 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.

VITALITY BOWLS operates training units in Walnut Creek, CA. We will do our best to schedule your training in an area that is convenient for you. Training will also take place at your location before and/or after you open.

Our training program teaches you the day-to-day operation of your VITALITY BOWLS unit. VITALITY BOWLS requires that the franchisee, an operating partner, or a general manager, designated by the franchisee, attend our full-time, training program. This program will teach you how to fully operate your VITALITY BOWLS unit from the ground up. We will not let you open until we are satisfied we have provided you with sufficient training to be successful.

Support -

After signing your franchise agreement, we are available for continuous, direct support. You can count on us for operational input and best practices information. In addition, we will visit you regularly to ensure you are maximizing the potential of your business and we are helping you in every way we can.

On a continuing basis, we will drive the brand and support your efforts in marketing, real estate and development, supply chain, and IT. Should you have questions or need help with issues in these areas, you can call us.
Marketing --
Operations --

Expansion Plans
 
Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe Franchise
Vitality Bowls 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 Vitality Bowls

Roy and Tara Gilad, a pair of successful business owners, founded Vitality Bowls in 2011 in San Ramon, California. The duo started the superfood cafe concept together as a result of discovering their daughter's severe food allergies and wanting to find healthy food alternatives. Since franchising began in 2014, the brand has seen significant growth with nearly 40 cafes open and in development. Today, Vitality Bowls is redefining the fast casual healthy food restaurant sector every day at each of its locations across the country. Tailored to owners and operators that place value in the nation's nutritious food movement, the franchise model provides structure and scalability. Many of the current franchisees began as loyal customers who wanted to be a part of the future of food chains. Franchisees can open up to three stores in a protected territory. If you are passionate about a healthy lifestyle and want operate a thriving business, VITALITY BOWLS might be the right choice for you. We look for someone with an entrepreneurial spirit who takes a hands-on approach to managing their business in addition to supporting their local community. If you are ready for an exciting new experience, owning a VITALITY BOWLS franchise may be in your future.

Vitality Bowls area developers acquire the right to develop multiple Vitality Bowls Restaurants in a designated development area. The development fee is $39,500 for the first Restaurant to be developed under the Area Development Agreement, plus $29,500 for the second Restaurant, and $20,000 for each subsequent Restaurant to be developed under the Area Development Agreement. To develop five outlets as an Area Developer, the development fees would total $129,000. The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Vitality Bowls area developer business will depend on the number of Vitality Bowls Restaurants to be opened. A minimum of three outlets must be developed according to the Area Development Agreement.

The estimated total investment necessary to begin operations for a Vitality Bowls Restaurant ranges from $170,100 and $604,000. This includes between $20,000 and $39,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates.

#185 in Franchise 500 for 2021.  Not in Franchise 500 for 2020.