Rosati's Pizza vs Old Chicago Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Rosati's Pizza Franchise
Old Chicago Franchise
Investment $136,200 - $1,241,000$1,331,500 - $2,187,000
Franchise Fee $30,000$40,000
Royalty Fee 5%4%
Advertising Fee -3%
Year Founded 19641976
Year Franchised 20062000
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Rosati's Pizza Franchise
Old Chicago Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
Rosati's Pizza Franchise
Old Chicago Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/Yes-/-
Start-up Costs -/Yes-/-
Equipment -/Yes-/-
Inventory -/Yes-/-
Receivables -/Yes-/-
Payroll -/Yes-/-

Training & Support

 
Rosati's Pizza Franchise
Old Chicago Franchise
Training A successful operation depends on hiring, training and retaining quality employees and management personnel. As part of the Rosati's Pizza Franchise Program we have designed a comprehensive training system for franchise owners and operators based on proven standards and guidelines developed over the years by Rosati's. Prior to the opening of your store, initial training will take place in one of our locations in addition to classroom training in our corporate office. With the exception of personal costs, transportation and lodging, your training expenses are included in the Franchise fee. On-The-Job Training: 292 hours Classroom Training: 6 hours 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 Our franchise consultants, working under the Director of Operations, maintain constant communication with all franchisees. You will receive operating and marketing information as well as new ideas to assist in the growth of your business. Also provided is an in-depth consultation report, which provides an analysis of your operation and a jointly prepared action plan to optimize store performance. Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet PlatformA 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 Rosati's marketing strategy targets the geographic area of each restaurant through the extensive use of distinctive print material. A local marketing manual also provides an outline to focus efforts on a variety of community oriented activities. The use of a sophisticated computerized point of sale system provides detailed customer information enabling us to execute the marketing strategy in a cost effective manner. Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app 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 Absentee Ownership Allowed Number of Employees Required to Run: 6 - 8-

Expansion Plans

 
Rosati's Pizza Franchise
Old Chicago Franchise
US Expansion YesYes
Canada Expansion --
International Expansion Yes-

Company Overviews

About Rosati's Pizza

A TRADITION OF QUALITY for FIVE GENERATIONS.
"Give the people what they want." Saverio (Sam) Rosati Nearly a century ago these were the simple words Sam Rosati lived by; little did he know this humble philosophy helped shape the foundation on which Rosati's Pizza was built. Sam's father began the family's rich tradition of serving delicious Italian food to customers in his New York restaurant back in the late 1890's. After the turn of the century, the family moved to Chicago and opened yet another fine ltalian restaurant featuring "Italian Style Pizza", a tasty appetizer consisting of homemade tomato sauce served on a crispy piece of bread. In 1927, following in his father's footsteps, Sam opened his own Italian restaurant in downtown Chicago. When Sam retired, his sons were ready to continue the family tradition.
The year was 1964 and pizza in America had evolved and was starting to take off. The first Rosati's Pizza opened its doors in a suburb of Chicago. In 1970, Rick Rosati, great grandson of Fred Sr., continued the family tradition and opened his own Rosati's Pizza in Arlington Heights, Illinois. By 1978, a total of ten individual Rosati family members owned Rosati's Pizza locations. In 1979 the family decided to expand the business and began franchising the Rosati's Pizza concept. In 1996 Sam Rosati, great great grandson of Fred Sr. opened his first Rosati's Pizza location in Belvidere, Illinois marking the fifth generation of Rosati family members serving delicious Italian food. Other locations soon followed and Rosati's Pizza was on the map.

"Top          "Entrepreneur
#65 in Gator's Top franchises.
#145 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
#170 in Franchise 500 for 2021.


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.