A Quick Intro
Jersey Mike’s was founded in 1956 and has been franchising since 1987. With its limited sub-sandwich focused menu, the brand places an importance on quality over quantity, with fresh ingredients and daily oven-baked bread. Because of the limited menu, Jersey Mike’s locations typically require less equipment and fewer staff than similar restaurants, making the overhead lower for franchise owners.
Wayback Burgers was founded as a humble burger stand in 1991 but has been franchising and growing locations since 2006. With an updated twist on nostalgic fare like made to order burgers, skin on fries, and hand-dipped milkshakes, Wayback Burgers utilizes the finest, freshest ingredients to serve meals the whole family can enjoy. And since burgers remain one of Americans’ favorite comfort foods, this positions Wayback Burgers to deliver the goods.
Investment Costs
For starters, you’re likely wondering about the costs associated with obtaining a Jersey Mike’s franchise and how it compares to Wayback Burgers. Historically, initial investment costs for a Jersey Mike’s franchise can range from $214,449 to $1,352,580, which includes the franchise fee. It’s worth noting that these figures can fluctuate depending on factors like location, size, and regional economic conditions.
On the other hand, Wayback Burgers has an initial investment ranging from $209,000 to $698,000. Like Jersey Mike’s, this range depends on various factors but, at face value, it seems there’s a narrower range of variability in initial costs with Wayback Burgers.
| Jersey Mike’s | Wayback Burgers | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | ||||
| Franchise Fee | $18,500 | $35,000 | ||
| Total Initial Investment | ||||
| Total Initial Investment | $214,449 – $1,352,580 | $209,000 – $698,000 | ||
| Net Worth Required | ||||
| Net Worth Required | $300,000 | $400,000 | ||
| Royalty Fee | ||||
| Royalty Fee | 6.5% | 5% | ||
Brand Recognition and Market Presence
The Jersey Mike’s brand is well-established, especially in the U.S., with a substantial number of locations nationwide. Its reputation for serving authentic East Coast-style subs has garnered a strong, loyal customer base.
While not as widespread as Jersey Mike’s, Wayback Burgers has made significant strides in the competitive hamburger franchise industry, with our authentic retro feel and emphasis on crafting great burgers. The brand has a growing presence, both nationally and internationally.
Support for Franchisees
Jersey Mike’s offers comprehensive training programs, both in-store and at their training center, ensuring you have a solid grasp of business operations. Their corporate team also provides ongoing marketing and operational support.
Wayback Burgers takes pride in robust franchisee support, requiring 100 hours of in restaurant training, a week at Wayback Business Schoool at their franchisee support center, followed by on-site training at the franchisees restaurant when they open. We also provide a designated support person for the entire time they own their restaurant, ensuring a smooth operations.
Versatility and Adaptability
Recent years have shown the importance of adaptability in the food industry.
With a primary focus on subs, Jersey Mike’s has dabbled in offering wraps and salads. Their streamlined menu has pros and cons – it ensures efficiency but might have limitations in adapting to broad market shifts.
The Wayback Burgers menu is more diverse, offering burgers, sandwiches, shakes, and even vegetarian options. This broadness might appeal to a wider audience and allow for adaptability in changing market conditions. And what’s more timeless than a well-cooked burger?
Food for Thought
As you ponder your investment decision, consider not only the monetary aspects but also the brand alignment with your personal values and goals. Both brands have their merits. If you gravitate towards a well-established brand with a strong market presence, then the sandwich chain might be the way to go. However, if you’re intrigued by the potential of a growing brand with a broader menu offering and an eye on the future, Wayback Burgers could be a tantalizing choice.
To learn more about franchising with Wayback Burgers, get started today.
