Schlotzsky's
Sandwiches, pizza, soups, salads- 2023 Franchise 500 Rank
-
#202 Ranked #301 last year
- Initial investment
-
$523K - $1.6M
- Units as of 2022
-
323 8% over 3 years
Schlotzsky’s is a restaurant founded in 1971 by Don and Dolores Dissman. It prides itself on a special menu that leaves customers full and satisfied. Schlotzsky's menu items include sandwiches, salads, soups, pizzas, vegetarian dishes, and desserts.
Schlotzsky’s has been in the franchise business since 1976, and it has over 300 franchise units in the United States. It is a fast food joint and a subsidiary of Focus Brands.
If you are looking to franchise a fast food restaurant, Schlotzsky's might be just what you are looking for. Before starting your Schlotzsky's franchise, you will complete comprehensive training to perfect your restaurant skills and experience.
Why You May Want to Start a Schlotzsky's Franchise
Schlotzsky's food items use quality ingredients, giving them a unique taste. The restaurants are designed to make Schlotzsky's an attractive hangout for family nights and date nights alike.
Customers are continually looking for a quick lunch or dinner due to busy work schedules. Many families now prefer take-out to home-prepared meals due to other commitments. Schlotzskys, being a well-known brand, gives franchisees an excellent opportunity to provide take-out meals to hungry diners.
Additionally, Schlotzsky’s has been ranked on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 every year since 2013. This ranking is based on an evaluation of more than 150 data points in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability.
You don't need prior restaurant or franchising experience to franchise with Schlotzsky’s. The company offers exclusive training to franchisees, both on the job and in classroom sessions. However, you will need a few experienced people on your team to run the restaurant with the greatest efficiency.
What Might Make a Schlotzsky's Franchise a Good Choice?
Before you make any investments, you should consult your financial planner and attorney to review your decision to franchise with Schlotzsky’s.
Franchisees need to meet company set liquid cash requirements, along with the financial investment required to open a Schlotzsky’s franchise. With your financial investment, you may receive third-party financing for your franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, and payroll.
How To Start a Schlotzsky's Franchise
As you make your decision concerning franchising with Schlotzsky’s, make sure you take time to explore the opportunity. Research the brand and your local area to see if a franchise would do well in your community. You want to make sure that the community around you would react positively to a new fast food restaurant and that there’s not too much competition already.
Progression through the franchise process may look different for everyone, but you can expect various interviews and discussions with the executive management of Schlotzsky's. You may also receive a tour of corporate headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia and an existing Schlotzsky's location.
After final approval to franchise with Schlotzsky’s, the company will identify the most suitable location to build the franchise. Additionally, Schlotzsky’s will offer comprehensive training for four weeks to you and your team. This will help you familiarize yourself with the franchise operations. Once you are through with the training, you will be ready to open the doors of your Schlotzsky's franchise.
Company Overview
About Schlotzsky's
- Industry
- Food
- Related Categories
- Miscellaneous Sandwiches, Sandwiches
- Founded
- 1971
- Parent Company
- Focus Brands
- Leadership
- Shelley Harris, Restaurant Category President
- Corporate Address
-
5620 Glenridge Dr. N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30342
More from Schlotzsky's
Home of The Original® Oven-Baked Sandwich.
’Our food is unique. Our customers are loyal. We offer something that they can’t get anywhere else. We are fast, convenient, and consistent. Our sandwich bread and pizza crust is baked fresh-from-scratch each morning. And with life’s current demands, where else can you get a whole pizza at the drive-thru, in less than 4 minutes?’ --Viral Patel, Franchise Owner with 23 Locations
People have been craving Schlotzsky's® since we first opened our doors on South Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas, in 1971. Back then, there was only one sandwich on the menu, The Original®, and that sandwich made us famous. These days, our loyal fans aren't the only ones raving about us. The restaurant industry has been giving us love, too. Now, we're ready to impress a whole new generation of diners by adding bold, new menu items and a cool new look. Add to that our passionate franchise owners who aren’t afraid to be a little bit different, and you’ve got a winner—you’ve got Schlotzsky’s
Your Schlotzsky's® can fulfill fans' desires for delicious food nearly anywhere thanks to our flexible footprints, including freestanding drive-thrus, end cap drive-thrus, in-line and non-traditional restaurants. We even have cobranding opportunities with our sister brands like Cinnabon®. It's just one more way Schlotzsky's® stands out from the crowd.
- Culinary Innovation
From state-of-the-art test kitchens to a broad base of food science expertise, we're perfectly positioned to lead the future of food. - Well-Known Name
They may not be able to spell it, but your fans will never be able to forget our well-crafted brand. - Support Provided by Industry Leaders
Focus Brands® brings big-name support to your franchise as a leading developer of iconic, global foodservice brands. - In-House Marketing
National, local and seasonal marketing campaigns are designed by our in-house experts to drive traffic to your franchise locations. - Strategic Supply Chain
Leveraged spend management across Focus Brands portfolio. - Robust Digital Platform
Through intelligence gathering and benchmarking, you'll be more connected to your customers and better able to meet their needs.
Business Overview
- Franchising Since
- 1976 (2023-1976 years)
- # of employees at HQ
- 67
- Where seeking
-
This company is offering new franchisees throughout the US.
This company is offering new franchisees worldwide.
- # of Units
- 323 (as of 2022)
Information for Franchisees
Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a Schlotzsky's franchise.
Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees
Here's what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.
- Initial Franchise Fee
- $35,500
- Initial Investment
- $522,570 - $1,635,380
- Net Worth Requirement
- $1,000,000 - $1,900,000
- Cash Requirement
- $300,000 - $650,000
- Veteran Incentives
- $15,500 off franchise fee
- Royalty Fee
- 6%
- Ad Royalty Fee
- 4%
- Term of Agreement
- 20 years
- Is franchise term renewable?
- Yes
Financing Options
Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.
- Third Party Financing
- Schlotzsky's has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, payroll
Training & Support Offered
Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.
- On-The-Job Training
- 200 hours
- Classroom Training
- 50 hours
- Ongoing Support
-
NewsletterMeetings & ConventionsToll-Free LineGrand OpeningSecurity & Safety ProceduresLease NegotiationField OperationsSite SelectionProprietary SoftwareFranchisee Intranet Platform
- Marketing Support
-
Co-op AdvertisingAd TemplatesNational MediaRegional AdvertisingSocial MediaSEOWebsite DevelopmentEmail MarketingLoyalty Program/App
Operations
Additional details about running this franchise.
- Is absentee ownership allowed?
- No
- Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit?
- No
- Can this franchise be run part time?
- No
- Are exclusive territories available?
- Yes
Franchise 500 Ranking History
Compare where Schlotzsky's landed on this year's Franchise 500 Ranking versus previous years.
Additional Rankings
Curious to know where Schlotzsky's ranked on other franchise lists? Find out below.
Ranked #202 in 2023
Entrepreneur’s 44th annual Franchise 500® ranking shines a light on the unique challenges and changes that have shaped the franchise industry over the last year—and how franchisors have adapted and evolved to meet them.
Ranked #4 in Miscellaneous Sandwiches in 2022
Our annual list of the top restaurant and other food franchises, divided up by category, is the perfect place to start if you’re craving a food-based business opportunity.
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