Business Description

America's premier fresh grilled cheesesteak franchisor, serving hand-cut french fries (cooked in peanut oil), baked potatoes with various toppings, grilled topped salads, homemade soups and fresh-squeezed lemonade.

Franchisor Background

Year Established:  1982

Franchising Since:  1984

Operating Units:
Franchised Units:	242	96.4%
Company-Owned Units:	9	3.6%
Total Operating Units:	251	100.0%
Minority Representation Units Owned by Minorities: African-American: 5% Asian-American: 40% Hispanic: 5% Native American: 0 Other: 30% Specific Minority   Program(s) in place: We employ a Korean consultant in California to help us reach the Asian community. We do not "change the rules" for any nationality and welcome all that are financially qualified. While not considered a minority, we do have over 30 franchisees from the Middle East.
Geographic Distribution: U.S.: 235 93.6% In 31 States Canada: 12 4.8% In 1 Canadian Provinces International: 4 1.6% In 0 Foreign Countries   Total: 251 100.0%

North America:
States/Provinces with the largest number of operating units:

Density	Units
1. California	27
2. Illinois	25
3. Ohio	32

Registered in Following Registration States: California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, District Of Columbia

Financial Requirements

Investment:
Minimum Net Worth:	$200K
Cash Investment:	$75-100K
Total Investment:	$200-800K
Average Total Investment:	$500K
Fees:
Initial Franchise Fee:	$20K
Average Franchise Fee:	$20K
On-Going Royalty:	5%
Average Royalty:	5%
Advertising Fee:	2%

Average Number of Employees: 2 Full-time, 15 Part-time

Space Needs (in square footage): 600-2,000

Preferred Sites: Free-standing Building, Storefront, Strip Center, Regional Mall

Other Sites: Airport,University

Encourage Conversions? Yes

Earnings Claims Provided?: No

Franchisee Qualifications
Ranked from 1 (unimportant) to 5 (important):
Financial Net Worth:	4
General Business Experience:	4
Specific Industry Experience:	3
Formal Education:	2
Psychological Profile:	3
Personal Interview(s):	4
Terms of Contract
Term of Initial Contract:	10 Year(s)
Term of Renewal Period:	10 Year(s)
Passive Ownership:	Allowed
Area Development Agreements?	Yes, for 1 Year(s)
Sub-Franchising Contracts?	Yes
Franchisees Allowed to Expand Within Territory?	Yes
Support and Training
International Franchise Association:	No
Canadian Franchise Association:	No
Franchisee Association/Member:	No
Size of Corporate Staff:	28
Site Selection Assistance?	Yes
Lease Negotiation Assistance?	Yes
Financial Assistance?	Yes, Direct
Marketing Support:
Co-Op Advertising:	No
National Advertising:	No
Regional Advertising:	No
Local Advertising:	No
Marketing Materials:	None Specified
Additional Services:	None Specified
Other Marketing Support:	None Specified
On-Going Support:
Central Data Processing:	At Additional Cost
Central Purchasing:	Included in Fees
Field Operation Evaluation:	Included in Fees
Field Training:	Included in Fees
Initial Store Opening:	Included in Fees
Inventory Control:	Included in Fees
Franchisee Newsletter:	Included in Fees
Regional or National Meetings:	Included in Fees
800 Telephone Hotline:	Not Applicable
Training:
1. Hamilton, OH	2 Weeks
Expansion Plans
Projected New Units Over Next 12 months: 24 U.S.: Yes, All United States Canada: Yes, All Canada Overseas: No	Request Franchisor Info   Submit an online form to receive information from Great Steak & Potato Company, The.