FAQ's

WE BELIEVE Nancy’s Pizza® represents a truly remarkable business opportunity. Our system is as refined as our tremendously appealing and award winning products.

The questions and answers contained in this section will assist you in making an informed decision concerning a Nancy’s Pizza® Franchise purchase.

PLEASE BE ADVISED: The information contained in this page is not meant to replace the information in our Franchise Offering Circular.  We will provide this document to you at our first meeting and interview. You should fully examine our Franchise Offering Circular with your family, attorney and accountant prior to entering into a franchise or area development agreement.

What is the Nancy’s Pizza® Franchise business?
The Nancy’s Pizza® name has been a household word since 1971 throughout the Chicagoland area. Nancy’s Pizza® products have been continuously awarded the highest honors the Chicagoland food polls can offer. With an outstanding product line and a huge perceived value by the consumers, Nancy’s Pizza® not only offers great products but also a great business system and franchise opportunity.

What kind of Franchise is available?
Initially we are offering individual Franchises to persons willing to be trained and who will operate within a system that has been proven throughout the years. We also offer area development rights to qualified and experienced operators.  Most areas outside of the Chicago market require an area development of 3 or more stores.

What is your franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee for an individual location is $30,000 that is paid at the time the Franchise Agreement is signed.

What is the range of the total investment required to obtain an individual Nancy’s Pizza® Franchise?
The total investment required to open a Nancy’s Pizza® Franchise in a leased premises, depending on size and location, is in the estimated range of $300,000 to $450,000 for a carry out and delivery only restaurant The investment in the business (not including real estate) is composed of the equipment package, computers, construction, supplies, inventory, signage, leasehold improvements, and additional items you will need to purchase or lease. An adequate amount of working capital is also required, typically funds necessary for the first three months of operation.

What financial qualifications must I personally meet to qualify for a Franchise?

Typically, you must be able to show a minimum net worth and the ability to raise the required capital as follows:

• 1 Restaurant:
  A minimum net worth of $400,000 and approximately $120,000 in cash, liquid assets, plus available financing for the balance of the project.



• 2-5 restaurants
  A minimum net worth of $600,000 of which at least 60% must be cash or liquid assets and approximately $320,000 per restaurant in cash, liquid assets and/or available financing.



• 6 or more restaurants:
  A minimum net worth of $1,700,000 of which at least 60% must be cash or liquid assets and approximately $320,000 per restaurant in cash, liquid assets and/or available financing.

The costs above represent minimum requirements and you should be prepared for additional costs depending on each individual location. An average unit is between 1,200 and 1,400 square feet and they are typically located in strip centers.


What are some additional requirements of a Franchisee?
Additional franchisee qualifications and requirements include.

• The Restaurant Operator must live in the immediate area to be developed throughout the term of the franchise agreement.



• The Restaurant Operator must have prior fast food and general management experience relative to the number of units to be developed.



• A Personal Financial Statement and resume must be submitted for each partner of the proposed franchise; a resume must be submitted for the prospective Restaurant Operator.

The prospective franchisee must submit a Business Plan to us which sets forth the following:

• Structure of the business (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, etc.) and, if known, name of business, business checking account and loan information;



• Desired area(s) to develop, as well as the desired number of units; and



• Growth plan, which should include information such as specific source(s) of capital, methods of recruiting, management structure and accounting systems to be used.

**THESE FRANCHISEE REQUIREMENTS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO AWARD A FRANCHISE. SUCH AN OFFER MAY BE MADE ONLY AFTER THE ISSUANCE OF A WRITTEN OFFERING CIRCULAR**

Is the price for equipment fixed or can I purchase equipment on my own?
The equipment package used by Nancy’s Pizza® is very specific to our needs. Many years of research and development have gone into designing a package that works with optimum results. The equipment package must be purchased through Nancy’s Pizza® or from sources that have been approved by Nancy’s Pizza®.

Does Nancy’s Pizza® finance my Franchise?
No. At this time Nancy’s Pizza® does not offer a financing package for Franchisees, however, Nancy’s Pizza® will assist you with any information reasonably requested by your financing sources.

What geographic area is available for my Franchise?
Due to the rapid development and strong interest in the Nancy’s Pizza® Franchise business, available geographic areas change quickly. We therefore could not accurately indicate in this brochure the availability of any particular area. Once you have completed and submitted the Application and Evaluation Form in which you have indicated your geographical preferences, we will communicate the availability of specific areas upon our review.

As of today, we are looking for developers of 1 or more restaurants in the following areas: Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Georgia and Kentucky.

How do I select a specific site for my Franchise?
We are fully versed in the site requirements for a Nancy’s Pizza®.  Once you have been accepted to sign a Franchise Agreement and the initial franchise fees has been paid, a site worksheet will be completed by Nancy’s Pizza® and assigned to a real estate reviewer. We will take various trips with you to sites that would best suit the Nancy’s Pizza® Franchise business and concept. We will supply you with standard site floor plans (not architectural plans) and specifications together with advice and consultation concerning the construction of the new site. Any modifications for non-standard facilities will require Nancy’s Pizza® approval and must be paid for by the Franchisee.

How long will my Franchise last?
The Franchise Agreement is for a term of ten (10) years, with an option to renew for an additional ten (10) years. The renewal will be based on the then current Franchise terms that will include among other things, the payment of a renewal fee of one half of the then current Franchise fee. It must be remembered however that along with many other factors, a renewal will also be based on the length of the existing lease on the premises.

What will be the size and operating format of my Nancy’s Pizza® Franchise store?
Minimally, the store will be between 1,200 sq. ft. and 1,400 sq. ft., with an optimum space allocation of 1,400 sq. ft. The Nancy’s Pizza® Franchise is a carry out and delivery pizzeria serving pizza, sandwiches, salads and appetizers for takeout or delivery. There will be seating in selected stores which will require a minimal store size in excess of 2,400 sq. ft. This facility will be located most likely in a strip center conveniently located to the homes of a particular demographic consumer base; however it may be located in a free standing building or shopping mall. In any case, the location will depend upon availability, market conditions, competition and our proven experience in site selection that is best suited for our Franchise concept. It should be noted that locations larger than 1,400 square feet will cost significantly more than the estimates discussed herein.

What is the continuing royalty fee?
Five percent (5%) of gross sales, exclusive of any sales tax, payable weekly.

Are there other ongoing fees I must pay?
Yes. Each week you will also contribute two percent (2%) of your gross sales, exclusive of sales tax, to the general Nancy’s Pizza® Advertising Fund.

What hours will my Nancy’s Pizza® Franchise be open?
The minimum hours of operation are 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday. Depending on the location of a particular site, lunch hours may be approved. In this case the store will open at 11:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. The Franchisee may extend these hours with approval from Nancy’s Pizza®.

What training will be provided by Nancy’s Pizza®?
Nancy’s Pizza® requires that prior to commencement of your franchised business, you must attend training sessions taught at Nancy’s Pizza® corporate offices and/or at an existing Franchise location. The course is person to person and lasts approximately two hundred and seventy (270) hours. You must pay for all travel, lodging and meals during the training course. The fundamentals of our restaurant operations are taught. The training has been designed to cover all the vital areas you will need to master to become a successful Franchise owner. Included in your training are:

• A step-by-step use and understanding of the operations manual;



• Food handling, safety and quality control;



• Understanding the Nancy’s Pizza® products;



• Equipment layout, use and maintenance;



• Inventory control methods;



• Store level bookkeeping including a detailed training in the use of our required POS computer system and it's reporting capabilities;



• Advertising and promotion methods;



• Personnel policies and training requirements;



• Hands on training in an existing store.

What type of opening and ongoing assistance do I receive from Nancy’s Pizza®?
An experienced operational specialist will be present for the first ten (10) days of operation. Our trained staff will be with you on an ongoing basis to assure a smooth start and continuing support. The Nancy’s Pizza® Manual of Operations will continually be revised to impart new techniques and variations that Nancy’s Pizza® has approved for store operations.

Does the Nancy’s Pizza® Franchise system include forms and business aids for product purchasing and inventory control?
Yes. We have devised a highly structured system that includes all of the business aids and forms necessary to fulfill your business requirements.

Once I have made the decision to become a Nancy’s Pizza® Franchisee, how long before I'm in business?
Finding a location is the primary determining factor. Once a mutually agreed upon site has been secured and barring any unforeseen delays, construction and the supplying of your business should take approximately one hundred and twenty (120) days.

I am ready to proceed to the next step! What should I do?
The granting of a Nancy’s Pizza® Franchise is not taken lightly. We will make a determination of each candidate's compatibility with our system on a one-on-one basis. The next step is to fill out the web based application