Western Sizzlin vs Famous Dave's Franchise Comparison

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

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


Business Experience Requirements
  Western Sizzlin Famous Dave's
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
  Western Sizzlin 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
  Western Sizzlin Famous Dave's
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 Ad slicks Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising
Operations 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) 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
  Western Sizzlin Famous Dave's
US Expansion 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, Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Washington,
Canada Expansion 0
International Expansion

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


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

Training & Support
Training
Western Sizzlin
Famous Dave's
Support
Western Sizzlin Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, 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
Western Sizzlin Ad slicks
Famous Dave's Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising
Operations
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)
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
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,
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
Western Sizzlin 0
Famous Dave's
International Expansion
Western Sizzlin
Famous Dave's