Famous Dave's vs Western Sizzlin Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
  Famous Dave's Western Sizzlin
Investment 481750 - 4495750 811000 - 2300000
Franchise Fee 0
Royalty Fee 5% 3%
Advertising Fee 1%Nat'l + 1.5% local
Year Founded 1995 1962
Year Franchised 1998 1965
Term Of Agreement
Term Of Agreement
Renewal Fee


Business Experience Requirements
  Famous Dave's Western Sizzlin
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
  Famous Dave's Western Sizzlin
 
Franchise Fees No No
Start-up Costs No No
Equipment No No
Inventory No No
Receivables No No
Payroll No No

Training & Support
  Famous Dave's Western Sizzlin
Training
Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, 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 Ad slicks
Operations 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) 20% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 40 Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Expansion Plans
  Famous Dave's Western Sizzlin
US Expansion Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Washington, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming,
Canada Expansion 0
International Expansion

Start-Up Costs and Fees Mobile
Investment
Famous Dave's
Western Sizzlin
Franchise Fee
Famous Dave's
Western Sizzlin
Royalty Fee
Famous Dave's 5%
Western Sizzlin 3%
Advertising Fee
Famous Dave's 1%Nat'l + 1.5% local
Western Sizzlin
Year Founded
Famous Dave's 1995
Western Sizzlin 1962
Year Franchised
Famous Dave's 1998
Western Sizzlin 1965
Term Of Agreement
Famous Dave's 20 years
Western Sizzlin 20 years
Renewal Fee
Famous Dave's 50% of then-current fee
Western Sizzlin


Business Experience Requirements
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.
Western Sizzlin

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

Training & Support
Training
Famous Dave's
Western Sizzlin
Support
Famous Dave's Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
Western Sizzlin Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
Marketing
Famous Dave's Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising
Western Sizzlin Ad slicks
Operations
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)
Western Sizzlin 20% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 40 Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Expansion Plans
US Expansion
Famous Dave's Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Washington,
Western Sizzlin Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming,
Canada Expansion
Famous Dave's
Western Sizzlin 0
International Expansion
Famous Dave's
Western Sizzlin