Americas Incredible Pizza Company vs Old Chicago Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Americas Incredible Pizza Company Franchise
Old Chicago Franchise
Investment $500,000 - $7,000,000$1,331,500 - $2,187,000
Franchise Fee N/A$40,000
Royalty Fee -4%
Advertising Fee -3%
Year Founded 20021976
Year Franchised 20042000
Term Of Agreement --
Term Of Agreement --
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Americas Incredible Pizza Company Franchise
Old Chicago Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
Americas Incredible Pizza Company Franchise
Old Chicago Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/--/-
Start-up Costs -/--/-
Equipment -/--/-
Inventory -/--/-
Receivables -/--/-
Payroll -/--/-

Training & Support

 
Americas Incredible Pizza Company Franchise
Old Chicago Franchise
Training Our web-based computer training programs provides an interactive process to show the skills required for every employee position at our locations. It also includes tests that must be successfully completed before each employee receives hands-on training with a mentor. Because our training is web-based, needed changes or improvements can be enacted by a member of the corporate training staff from anywhere and made immediately available to all stores. We monitor the results of each location to ensure all of our stores are properly using our web based training program. This approach helps establish consistency and a high standard of customer service at each and every operation in the America's Incredible Pizza Company system. Our employee training systems have been an eye opener to other franchise groups who are “amazed” at the rapid pace we can open a new location with fully trained staff. The cost savings involved in our rapid training programs is phenomenal.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 America's Incredible Pizza Company’s community involvement is the key to our marketing success. Positive marketing formats include student incentive programs in local schools, fundraisers, lock-ins with youth groups, Incredible birthday parties for all ages, Bravery Awards for dentists and doctors, group events for kids’ sports teams, civic organizations, family reunions, banquets �" the list goes on and on. From corporate events to family parties to Project Graduation lock-ins, fundraisers and everything in-between, we will be the number one, top-rated party place in your community. Customized websites for each location, direct mail advertising using cutting edge demographic profiles, internet, social media, email marketing and seasonal radio and television placements are all important tools in attracting thousands of customers each week.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

 
Americas Incredible Pizza Company Franchise
Old Chicago Franchise
US Expansion -Yes
Canada Expansion --
International Expansion --

Company Overviews

About Americas Incredible Pizza Company

Do you believe owning a franchise should be fun?America's Incredible Pizza Company may be the perfect opportunity. When you purchase a franchise, you are not just purchasing a vibrant business, you will also have access to proven tools, processes and guidelines to help you manage a successful business. Our extensive research into the family entertainment industry identified a significant market segment not being served by major national competitors. The success of our flagship store has confirmed what we believed to be true when we started America's Incredible Pizza Company: give families a fun, wholesome atmosphere with food prepared according to the highest standards, offer it at a great value for their entertainment dollar, and they will come, not just once, but again and again. The America's Incredible Pizza Company concept works best when we locate our 22,000- to 90,000-square foot stores at high traffic "A" locations in communities of over 50,000 people. Open 11AM till 10PM seven days a week, we serve up to 15,000+ customers per week at an average sale of $10-$12 per person. Additionally, our indoor locations provide a controlled setting, where we aren't impacted by the extremes of changing seasons or adverse weather. While our stores do require a large space, there are incredible locations in many empty grocery stores, Wal-Mart and K-mart type buildings, as well as closed big box retailers like Circuit City which are ideally located and often can be leased or purchased at extremely favorable rates. For immediate information on franchising opportunities, email Tony Cox at [email protected]!

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.