Char-Hut vs Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Char-Hut vs Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Char-Hut Franchise
Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries Franchise
Investment $250,000 - $500,000$153,925 - $249,925
Franchise Fee $30,000$25,000
Royalty Fee -5%
Advertising Fee -1%
Year Founded 19761991
Year Franchised 19761993
Term Of Agreement -10 years
Term Of Agreement -10 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Char-Hut Franchise
Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries Franchise
Experience -

We're looking for individuals with: *Strong business experience *A commitment to quality food & customer service *Restaurant industry know-how


Financing Options

 
Char-Hut Franchise
Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/--/-
Start-up Costs -/--/-
Equipment -/--/-
Inventory -/--/-
Receivables -/--/-
Payroll -/--/-

Training & Support

 
Char-Hut Franchise
Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries Franchise
Training

Our development program begins at Char-Hut headquarters in South Florida where we train you on everything you'll need to build a solid foundation in the specialty burger business using the proven-successful methods that have made Char-Hut prosper for over 30 years. Additionally, we give you extensive ongoing training in your own location and market on effective and precise operational procedures. Most importantly, our senior staff will personally stand by your side to assist you in implementing our proven methods for operations management, hiring procedures and regional business development through networking and direct interaction with community leadership and influential consumer groups in your area. We will teach you all the skills you need to build a strong regional and local presence for your business which translates to more business for your Char-Hut!

Full training program Hwy 55 will send trained representatives to work with you and your team at your restaurant for a total of 10 working days. We will assist with 5 on-site pre-opening days and 5 on-site post-opening days. We reserve the right to stay longer to ensure a successful opening. Costs of the training program are included in your franchise fee; however, all travel and lodging costs will be at the franchisee’s expense. On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours

Support

*Operations management and support *Senior staff onsite support *Direct business management *Corporate website management *SEO for your territory and location *Toll-free technical support *Networking with other system owners *Co-op marketing *Operations manuals *Technical data and forms *New prospect leads *Strategic vendor relationships

Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing

*Char-Hut has defined and developed a proven local, community-oriented marketing and business development systems. *Our web marketing and local advertising campaigns create loyal customers that produce high margin, repeat business. *Our brand, business model and community-oriented approach will help you develop your local market presence and community relationships that will support and build your business.

We have established and will administer a Marketing/Advertising fund on behalf of the Hwy 55 brand to provide national or regional creative materials for the benefit of your Hwy 55 location. We currently require Hwy 55 Franchisees to contribute 1% of gross sales for each restaurant to the Marketing/Advertising fund. In addition to contributions described above, we recommend you spend annually throughout the term of the franchise agreement, 2% of gross sales of the restaurant for local advertising in your primary area of responsibility. This amount is not paid to us, but rather is spend by you at your discretion. As a member of your local business community, you know the best local advertising opportunities. Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app

Operations -Absentee Ownership Allowed Number of Employees Required to Run: 20 - 50

Expansion Plans

 
Char-Hut Franchise
Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries Franchise
US Expansion YesYes
Canada Expansion --
International Expansion -Yes

Company Overviews

About Char-Hut

Char-Hut is a recognized regional innovator in the specialty burger industry throughout Southern Florida. Our reputation has been built on our service, amazing product quality, the customer experience and commitment to creating a truly memorable experience for every customer who visits a Char-Hut location. We do this by striving to provide the best customer service in the specialty burger industry and treating our customers like we would our own family members when they come to see us. Char-Hut has built the company based on focusing on the specialty burger market in addition to differentiating itself as a true, family-based burger restaurant using natural, genuine specialty burger meat and products that are chosen to offer only the best tastes, smells and experience for the customer.Char-Hut provides highly successful business opportunities for QSR high-end burger operations and food service entrepreneurs and business professionals who would like to start a business in this thriving industry. We are looking for motivated individuals interested in owning and operating a high volume, high margin specialty burger restaurant operation in their market. Once a Char-Hut franchise is located, our senior staff becomes 100% committed to that individual location and store's success. When you join the Char-Hut family, we consider our senior staff's accessibility and directly accountability to be good business for us simply because it is the only way we derive revenues, financial growth and overall success for the brand. We MUST make you successful as part of the Char-Hut family.Char-Hut products and specialty cooking process are in very high demand as more Specialty Burger Franchisepeople are choosing to spend the extra dollars on higher quality food products and want more from their burgers than ever before. According to US Foods, "Burger consumption up considerably since 2009, with nearly half of today's consumers saying they eat a burger at least once a week, compared with fewer than four out of 10 two years ago. This growth is seen across all restaurant segments. Out of all of the top entree categories, burgers were represented by the greatest number of new items. Quick-service value menus are certainly a big part of this increase in burger consumption. But the specialty burger craze has also driven growth despite - or perhaps even because of - the higher prices these burgers command. Quick-service chains have begun to respond to the growing demand for premium burgers." We provide customers with a comfortable and inviting environment along with menu items and product lines to create the perfect specialty burger experience. Our franchisees will be successful due to our proven operational methods and effective marketing models. Through superior training, technical guidance and in-territory support, we will help you in building your own Char-Hut business.

About Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries

A retro-themed diner that features fresh, never-frozen hand-pattied burgers, house-made frozen custard, and other classic favorites in a unique open-kitchen setting, was founded in Goldsboro, North Carolina in 1991. Hwy 55 reflects founder Kenney Moore's commitment to authentic hospitality and fresh food. Widely known in the state for its fresh food and service that exceeds expectations, the chain won BurgerBusiness.com's "Best Burger" in 2012. It also was recently named a top 500 franchise in the United States by Entrepreneur magazine and a "Next 20" restaurant brand by Nation's Restaurant News. Hwy 55 currently has 121 locations in 10 states, Denmark and the United Arab Emirates. Hwy 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries has been serving up good times and great food since 1991. We've achieved a lot in the last over 25 years, growing to over 100 restaurants across North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Ohio and Florida, with 500 more locations scheduled to open. During that time, our mission has remained the same: to provide each guest with world-class service and fresh food in a family atmosphere. 
Hwy 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries fits a niche between fast food and casual dining, offering the customer the best benefits of both segments. We provide the convenience of fast food, with rapid response times and an affordable menu, but with a twist: our freshly made food is a much tastier alternative to typical pre-cooked hamburgers and french fries.

 The Hwy 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries franchise program is designed for the growth of the individual and the company; it's not an investment, it's a family.
The amount of the Area Development Fee will depend on the number of Hwy 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries restaurants to be developed under the Area Development Agreement, and will be calculated as follows: $25,000 for the first Hwy 55 restaurant plus a deposit of $12,000 for each additional Hwy 55 restaurant to be opened under that agreement. For example, if you will develop three Hwy 55 restaurants, the Area Development Fee is calculated as $25,000 + (2 x $12,500 = $25,000) = $50,000.
Veteran Incentives  10% off franchise fee