Damon's vs Famous Dave's Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
  Damon's Famous Dave's
Investment 1200000 - 3200000 481750 - 4495750
Franchise Fee 0 0
Royalty Fee 4% 5%
Advertising Fee 1%Nat'l + 1.5% local
Year Founded 1979 1995
Year Franchised 1982 1998
Term Of Agreement
Term Of Agreement
Renewal Fee


Business Experience Requirements
  Damon's Famous Dave's
Experience Industry experience * Prefer Ownership/management experience in full service, casual dining restaurants, in or near the desired territories. * Multi unit experience is a big plus. * Single units will be considered depending on market conditions, demographics and other criteria. * If Area Development Agreement is chosen, minimum of three units required to be developed. * Minimum LIQUID net worth of $750,000. * Minimum per unit development costs could range from approx $900,000 to $4,000,000. * Proven commitment to customer service and quality food.

Financing Options
  Damon's Famous Dave's
 
Franchise Fees No No
Start-up Costs No No
Equipment No No
Inventory No No
Receivables No No
Payroll No No

Training & Support
  Damon's Famous Dave's
Training
Support Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising
Operations Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 90% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 80 Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators) Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 84% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 65 Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (97% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Expansion Plans
  Damon's Famous Dave's
US Expansion Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming, Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Washington,
Canada Expansion
International Expansion

Start-Up Costs and Fees Mobile
Investment
Damon's
Famous Dave's
Franchise Fee
Damon's
Famous Dave's
Royalty Fee
Damon's 4%
Famous Dave's 5%
Advertising Fee
Damon's
Famous Dave's 1%Nat'l + 1.5% local
Year Founded
Damon's 1979
Famous Dave's 1995
Year Franchised
Damon's 1982
Famous Dave's 1998
Term Of Agreement
Damon's 10 years
Famous Dave's 20 years
Renewal Fee
Damon's
Famous Dave's 50% of then-current fee


Business Experience Requirements
Experience
Damon's Industry experience
Famous Dave's * Prefer Ownership/management experience in full service, casual dining restaurants, in or near the desired territories. * Multi unit experience is a big plus. * Single units will be considered depending on market conditions, demographics and other criteria. * If Area Development Agreement is chosen, minimum of three units required to be developed. * Minimum LIQUID net worth of $750,000. * Minimum per unit development costs could range from approx $900,000 to $4,000,000. * Proven commitment to customer service and quality food.

Financing Options
 
Franchise Fees
Damon's No
Famous Dave's No
Start-up Costs
Damon's
Famous Dave's
Equipment
Damon's}
Famous Dave's
Inventory
Damon's
Famous Dave's
Receivables
Damon's
Famous Dave's
Payroll
Damon's
Famous Dave's

Training & Support
Training
Damon's
Famous Dave's
Support
Damon's Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
Famous Dave's Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
Marketing
Damon's Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising
Famous Dave's Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising
Operations
Damon's Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 90% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 80 Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators)
Famous Dave's Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 84% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 65 Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (97% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Expansion Plans
US Expansion
Damon's Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming,
Famous Dave's Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Washington,
Canada Expansion
Damon's
Famous Dave's
International Expansion
Damon's
Famous Dave's