Franchise vs. Independent Restaurant

So, you’re considering opening a restaurant. That’s great! But now you are faced with a critical decision—do I invest in a franchise or start an independent restaurant? When deciding to open your own business, knowing and understanding your options can help you make the best decisions for your lifestyle and budget, while also avoiding failing as a business owner. Opening a restaurant should be an exciting adventure, full of new opportunities, experiences, and financial reward. But before diving into the deep end of entrepreneurship, you must educate yourself on the differences between franchises and independent restaurants to fully comprehend the advantages and shortcomings of both options.

Did you know that a 2014 study performed by two UC Berkeley economists revealed that 17 percent of independently owned full service restaurants failed in their first year of operation? However, don’t let fear of failure deter you from considering owning your own restaurant. By knowing the differences between striking out on your own with an independent restaurant versus joining a franchise with an established business model and network, those fears will begin to subside and give you clarity on the best choice for your long-term business and financial goals.

How are Franchise and Independent Restaurants Different?

As the name might suggest, owning an independent restaurant means you are solely responsible for all aspects of the business, while owning a franchise makes you a part of a larger brand that consists of a network of restaurants in the region, or even nationwide. While owners of either type of restaurant operate with autonomy, the differences in financial obligation, structure, and more can make or break the success of a restaurant after opening.

Let’s start with the biggest consideration for most people—money. To cover the traditional start-up costs, marketing plans, design and construction of the building that will house your restaurant, and other necessary expenditures, independent restaurant owners must source their own vendors and services, and continuously pay the entirety for each out of their own pockets. Oftentimes, this means it can take several years before owners start to see a profit from their business. Franchise owners, on the other hand, pay an upfront lump sum, making it a comparably lower initial investment that grants access to the resources for all their startup and extra needs, saving time and expenses that could be allocated to other needs.

While independent restaurant owners can be more creative with the design of their establishment and the offerings, they must also create and test their own business model. Franchise owners can rely on an already established business model that has been tested countless times and comes with the training and support needed for a first-time restaurant owner. Independent restaurants must build their brand’s reputation and customer base from scratch, whereas franchised restaurants become part of a brand that is already recognized and trusted by customers.

Why Franchise?

Opening your own franchise restaurant, like a Blimpie sub sandwich quick service restaurant, offers more business and financial security than taking the leap to start your own unique restaurant from scratch. As part of a franchise, restaurant owners are equipped with the support of a larger group that is just as invested in the success of their franchisees’ restaurant as the success of the brand in its entirety. As these franchise organizations have experience and practice building, owning, and operating their chain of restaurants, owners can rest assured that they will have the support to see their business grow.

Trying to juggle the many responsibilities that come with business ownership can be a stressful struggle, especially for first time business owners. Investing in a franchise can save time and remove the logistical stress of opening a business. While there are still plenty of hours and effort to be put in to open and operate your own business, opening a franchise gives you the starter kit and owner’s manual to open your own location and build a loyal customer base. This framework can include a number of services, including marketing and public relations, real estate support, training, and business development.

What You Get When You Franchise with Blimpie

Is a franchise starting to sound more appealing for your next, or maybe first, business venture? Then joining the Blimpie family is the perfect quick service restaurant franchise to launch you into business ownership. With more than 50 years in the sub sandwich industry, the brand has spent decades adapting and approving its business model, and building a reliable brand for its many diners nationwide.

As Blimpie is part of Kahala Brands—a network of 28 different restaurant brands—franchisees are provided with access to passionate in-house teams with seasoned industry veterans that support each owner in various fields of expertise, ranging from real estate and design to marketing to research & development to operations. Each Blimpie’s is outfitted with cutting-edge technology for efficient operations and customer service, and as a brand, embraces change to face the challenges of the times. Each owner receives thorough training to walk through the ins and outs of being a thriving sub sandwich shop owner.

These tools, and so many more, are truly the keys to growth for each Blimpie franchise owner. With affordable options ranging from $74,780, Blimpie is a quality, time-honored brand to invest in, and set yourself up for growth as your own boss without the fear of failure holding back.

Join the Blimpie Franchise Family Today!

Is the idea of owning a franchise and becoming part of an established brand of restaurants with proven growth and a lower initial investment sounding more and more like your path to business ownership? Learn how you can own a Blimpie franchise by reading through our extensive and thorough research pages here and filling out our request franchise information form here.

Blimpie’s New Sandwiches Give Consumers More Options

In many aspects of life, new can be exciting. That is no different when restaurants and quick service dining establishments add new options to their menu. While Blimpie’s franchise owners are in the business of selling build-your-own sub sandwiches, the brand also simplifies a consumer’s decision by offering specialty sandwich flavors. As these delicious, limited release featured sub sandwiches are meant to entice diners to try something new, franchise owner’s reap the rewards of an increased profit potential.

According to a study by researchers from Columbia and Stanford University, people prefer fewer choices. While Blimpie is a wonderful option for diners to essentially create their own meal through its BYO sandwich model, providing specialty featured menu items—like the beloved Cuban Pulled Pork and Spicy Pork sandwiches, or the newer Sweet BBQ Chicken and Nashville Hot Chicken subs—simplifies the ordering process while also providing tantalizing options for customers to try while they can. Blimpie customers are enticed to get out of their ordering rut with new, delicious flavors that might tempt them from their customary choice and keep them guessing what other unexpected creations await their taste buds.

Join a Notable Sandwich Brand

The Blimpie franchise’s tried-and-true model has proven a business venture for countless franchise owners for more than 50 years, since co-founder Tony Conza decided to expand after starting the string of sub shops with his two partners in 1964. As one of the oldest sub sandwich franchises in the sector, the Blimpie’s brand has spent the past several decades building its reputation, making it easy for franchisees to open their own Blimpie and gain an already established base of loyal customers who know they can rely on any nearby Blimpie to offer the same quality food and service they know and appreciate.

Because of Blimpie’s maturity as a franchise and a sub sandwich shop, the brand has never shied away from adapting and improving their offerings and operations to meet the demands of the times. Offering loyal and first-time customers new sub options is only one example of how Blimpie embraces innovative business techniques. The late 1980s saw the introduction of Tony’s monthly newsletter to franchisees, providing tools for Blimpie owners to create and implement goals to update their enterprise and operations. The 1990s saw Blimpie’s being built out in unique locations, such as gas stations, convenience stores, college food courts, stadiums, hospitals and airports, making the brand more accessible to customers. Today, other tactics, like incorporating new sub sandwich flavors into the menu, guarantee that long-time customers are never bored with Blimpie’s culinary selection.

As part of Kahala Brands, Blimpie franchise owners benefit from the in-house support provided to franchisee’s, from franchise development and training to real estate and construction to marketing and public relations services, more than equips each Blimpie owner with necessary and ancillary tools to put each on the path to success.

Invest in a Blimpie Sub Franchise Today!

If you are interested in becoming part of a long-standing franchise that encourages innovation and isn’t afraid to introduce something “new,” be sure to fill out the request franchise information form here, today! To learn more about Blimpie and its tried-and-true model, read through our extensive research pages here.

What is the Sandwich Renaissance?

There are many options in the quick service restaurant industry that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but one area seeing a resurgence in popularity among consumers is the sub sandwich sector. QSR Magazine quickly dubbed this time the Sandwich Renaissance, making now the perfect time for aspiring business owners to invest in a franchise with a longstanding reputation for its products, such as Blimpie.

While other notable brands have made big waves in the past in the sandwich franchise industry, a gradual decline in the number of brick-and-mortar stores has made room for other brands, like Blimpie, to shine. As meat-filled, cheese-topped, and veggie-packed comfort foods were happily embraced during the stay-at-home periods throughout the early months of COVID-19, consumers have been reminded of the joy of ordering sandwiches that are expertly made.

Because of these shifts, the timing to invest in a Blimpie franchise has never been better, as we see a revitalization in customers who are looking for new and alternative sub shops at which to get their deliciously filling, hearty sandwiches.

What is the Future of the Sandwich Industry?

While the COVID-19 pandemic impacted profits made from in-store orders for many full and quick service restaurants, the reliance on online orders throughout the variance stay-at-home ordinances ensured several businesses remained open. While customers are once again allowed to dine in-store, digital and delivery orders remain just as relevant for a variety of quick service restaurant franchises, such as Blimpie.

Why Blimpie is Perfectly Positioned in the Sandwich Industry

With more than 50 years in the sandwich sector, Blimpie has already set itself apart as a brand with a time-tested business model that simultaneously sets franchise owners up for growth and offers quality fare that will bring customers back time and time again.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, when selecting what and where to eat, consumers weigh financial resources, prices, time constraints, and food environment. By providing diners a menu featuring classic sub sandwich combinations, a build-your-own sandwich option, salads, and wraps, a Blimpie’s franchise is ideally situated to stand out in the sandwich industry by checking the boxes of these four criteria with customizable comfort food incorporating fresh ingredients at reasonable prices and in a timely manner without sacrificing quality.

Blimpie franchises are also incorporating the latest technology to ensure each location operates efficiently and smoothly. Such modernizing efforts allow franchisees to create work schedules, track payroll, keep records, accept a variety of wallet payment options—including digital—and more. Less time worrying about the behind-the-scenes work allows a Blimpie franchise owner to focus more on the growth of their franchise.

Kahala Brands Has Your Back

As a part of the expansive Kahala Brands network of more than 28 different food franchises, Blimpie franchisees are equipped with the best support services to confidently start on their path to entrepreneurship. Kahala Brands’ efficient system provides new Blimpie owners with business tools that help with franchise development, identification of ideal locations and lease negotiation, design and construction of each storefront, training to establish smooth operational systems, operational support for each Blimpie restaurant, marketing, and more. While many first-time business owners have to learn as they go, those who invest in a Blimpie franchise have a team of professionals to support their business venture starting on day one.

This Time-Tested Brand Shows No Sign of Stopping

With a history that spans nearly six decades, Blimpie’s has come far from its first shop in founders Tony Conza, Peter DeCarlo, and Angelo Bandassare’s hometown, Hoboken, New Jersey. Keeping with the “bigger and better” mindset that inspired Blimpie sub sandwiches, the business itself quickly evolved into a thriving franchise as new locations in New York and New Jersey opened within the first decade of operation. Since then, the Blimpie brand has only continued to gain notoriety in not only the sandwich industry, but also the quick service restaurant and franchising sectors.

The founding philosophies and passion for excellent and flavorful sub sandwiches are ever present in the hundreds of Blimpie stores nationwide. Because of its illustrious history and proven business model, Blimpie’s is certain to attract a variety of customers, including those who may have grown up eating their sandwiches, or first timers who are looking to try a new made-to-order sandwich restaurant. When you decide to invest in your future with a Blimpie franchise, you are becoming a part of a well-established group that consumers will trust.

Now is the Time to Own a Blimpie Franchise!

If you’re ready to enter the delectable realm of sub sandwiches, there has never been a better time to own a Blimpie franchise. To learn how owning a Blimpie’s will put you in a terrific position in the middle of the Sandwich Renaissance, read more about this time-honored brand, and fill out the request franchise information form here.

Breaking Into Entry Level Franchises

According to the International Franchise Association, franchising is anticipated to continue to grow, remaining higher than pre-pandemic levels. If you are looking to ride that growing wave and are considering investing in a franchise, then you are in the right place at the right time. There are many factors to consider when selecting your franchise, including cost, where there is a need for a service, and whether you have thorough training and support. If you have been searching for a brand that meets those three criteria, Blimpie, one of the top entry level franchises, may be for you.

Low Startup Costs

For a first time franchisee, cost is key. No one wants to break the bank to open their own business. Thankfully, traditional Blimpie franchise costs are lower and more affordable than many might expect, ranging from $232,770 to $524,325. For those looking for a franchise on a lower budget, the cost to open a non-traditional Blimpie—smaller shops in airports, college campuses, and other similar locations—is even more cost effective, ranging from $74,780 to $335,700.

What do these startup costs cover? Regardless of whether you opt to go the traditional or non-traditional route, your investment will cover the initial franchise fees to use the brand name and access the in-depth training and support resources, travel and living expenses while attending training, construction costs to build out your location, security deposit, three months rent for your location, signage, menu panels, and so much more.

Open Territories

While a renowned and nationally recognized brand, there are still several open territories that could benefit from having a Blimpie come to their communities. This provides ample opportunities for aspiring and seasoned business owners to join this strong franchising community to bring the beloved sub sandwich shop to a new area and bring a new option for a reliable made-to-order quick service restaurant that uses fresh ingredients to create comforting and filling fare. There are so many regions still available for a new franchise to step in, making this the perfect time to join the Blimpie franchise team.

World-Class Training and Support

When opting to invest in a franchise, especially for first time franchisees, it is assuring to know that you are joining a group that supports and nurtures you in your new business venture by providing a thorough support system right from the start. Once you’ve signed your franchise agreement, you receive in-depth training from seasoned experts to guide you through the Blimpie business model and how to set up your store to ensure operations are simple, smooth, and effective.

As Blimpie is part of Kahala Brands—a franchising group with an extensive portfolio of reputable food and beverage franchises—each new franchisee can rest assured they are joining a network that wants to see new and experienced entrepreneurs succeed. To support each franchisee, Kahala Brands has developed a streamlined process that offers multiple services to help owners build a healthy business, including real estate identification and lease negotiation, design and construction of build out of your Blimpie location, marketing, creative services, public relations, among many others.

Start Your Franchising Journey with a Blimpie Franchise Today!

If you’re ready to invest in your future with a franchise that is an affordable investment, has several open territories, and offers top-notch training and support, it’s time to start the process toward becoming a Blimpie franchisee. Learn more about this long-established, popular sub sandwich franchise by checking out our research page here. To start a conversation with our franchise team, please fill out our request franchise information form here.