Ponderosa Steakhouse vs Famous Dave's Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

  Ponderosa Steakhouse Famous Dave's
Investment 1200000 - 2300000 481750 - 4495750
Franchise Fee 0 0
Royalty Fee 5%
Advertising Fee 1%Nat'l + 1.5% local
Year Founded 1966 1995
Year Franchised 1966 1998
Term Of Agreement
Term Of Agreement
Renewal Fee


Business Experience Requirements

  Ponderosa Steakhouse 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

  Ponderosa Steakhouse Famous Dave's
 
Franchise Fees No
Start-up Costs No
Equipment No
Inventory No
Receivables No
Payroll No

Training & Support

  Ponderosa Steakhouse Famous Dave's
Training
Support 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
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)

Expansion Plans

  Ponderosa Steakhouse Famous Dave's
US Expansion 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
Ponderosa Steakhouse
Famous Dave's
Franchise Fee
Ponderosa Steakhouse
Famous Dave's
Royalty Fee
Ponderosa Steakhouse
Famous Dave's 5%
Advertising Fee
Ponderosa Steakhouse
Famous Dave's 1%Nat'l + 1.5% local
Year Founded
Ponderosa Steakhouse 1966
Famous Dave's 1995
Year Franchised
Ponderosa Steakhouse 1966
Famous Dave's 1998
Term Of Agreement
Ponderosa Steakhouse
Famous Dave's 20 years
Renewal Fee
Ponderosa Steakhouse
Famous Dave's 50% of then-current fee


Business Experience Requirements

Experience
Ponderosa Steakhouse
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
Ponderosa Steakhouse
Famous Dave's
Start-up Costs
Ponderosa Steakhouse
Famous Dave's
Equipment
Ponderosa Steakhouse}
Famous Dave's
Inventory
Ponderosa Steakhouse
Famous Dave's
Receivables
Ponderosa Steakhouse
Famous Dave's
Payroll
Ponderosa Steakhouse
Famous Dave's

Training & Support

Training
Ponderosa Steakhouse
Famous Dave's
Support
Ponderosa Steakhouse
Famous Dave's Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
Marketing
Ponderosa Steakhouse
Famous Dave's Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising
Operations
Ponderosa Steakhouse
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
Ponderosa Steakhouse
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
Ponderosa Steakhouse
Famous Dave's
International Expansion
Ponderosa Steakhouse
Famous Dave's