
Groucho's Deli
Sandwiches, salads, sauces- 2023 Franchise 500 Rank
-
N/R Not ranked last year
- Initial investment
-
$104K - $596K
- Units as of 2022
-
31 6% over 3 years
Harold “Groucho” Miller grew up in a Philadelphia orphanage where he dreamed up various recipes for salads, coleslaw, and sandwich dressings. In 1941, he came to Columbia, South Carolina, where Miller began Groucho’s Deli after earning the nickname, ‘Groucho.’
Over the years, Groucho’s Deli has continued serving sandwiches made of quality meat cuts and cheeses, with sides of their signature salad dressings, potato salads, and coleslaw. The restaurant chain has carved a niche for itself and began franchising in 2001.
Since beginning to franchise, Groucho’s Deli has opened over two dozen locations in the United States.
Why You May Want To Start a Groucho’s Deli Franchise
A good fit for Groucho's Deli would be a franchisee who's ready to carry the brand vision with the same passion as Miller himself. If you're all about quality and producing delicious menu items like ‘Groucho’ was, then you may want to stick around. Good business acumen and great people skills make great additions to applicant qualities, as well.
As you decide if opening a Groucho’s Deli franchise is the right move for you, make sure you take time to explore the opportunity. Research the brand and your local area to see if this franchise would do well in your community. While competition is healthy, too much of it may not allow for the most possible growth.
What Might Make a Groucho’s Deli Franchise a Good Choice?
Groucho’s Deli lays its claim to fame to what the company has called its “80-Year proven performance” since its inception back in 1941. Groucho’s Deli may require minimal space out of which it operates, which could translate to lower initial setup costs. Coupled with its use of quality products, opening a Groucho’s Deli may be tempting.
To be part of the Groucho’s Deli franchise team, you should make sure you’re financially ready for an initial investment made up of a franchise fee and other startup costs. In addition, you should prepare yourself for ongoing fees that will include royalty fees. Franchisees will also need to meet the company's set net worth and liquid capital requirements.
How To Open a Groucho’s Deli Franchise
Are you ready to become part of the Groucho’s Deli team? After you apply, the franchising team will be in touch with you to move on to the next step of the process. Once you sign the franchise agreement, it typically takes several months to open your location.
As it is with any other business opportunity, you may have many questions about the process of owning a franchise, the daily operations, and so on. Be sure to note your questions and field them to the franchising team members. It would also be a good idea to seek out existing franchisees or mingle with them on the discovery day to find out as much as you can about owning a Groucho's Deli franchise.
If awarded a franchise, franchisees receive a great deal of support from the Groucho’s Deli brand throughout the franchising process. In addition to pre-opening training, franchisees receive support through brand awareness, marketing, research, and construction. They also receive hands-on training and continued support after their franchise location has opened.
Company Overview
About Groucho's Deli
- Industry
- Food
- Related Categories
- Submarine Sandwiches, Sandwiches
- Founded
- 1941
- Parent Company
- Groucho's Franchise Systems LLC
- Leadership
- Bruce Miller, Franchisor
- Corporate Address
-
611 Harden St.
Columbia, SC 29205
Business Overview
- Franchising Since
- 2001 (2023-2001 years)
- # of employees at HQ
- 10
- Where seeking
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This company is offering new franchisees in the following US states: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia
- # of Units
- 31 (as of 2022)
Information for Franchisees
Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a Groucho's Deli 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
Information Circle - $18,000 - $28,000
-
Initial Investment
Information Circle - $104,333 - $596,243
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Net Worth Requirement
Information Circle - $350,000
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Cash Requirement
Information Circle - $150,000
-
Royalty Fee
Information Circle - 6%
-
Term of Agreement
Information Circle - 10 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
- Groucho's Deli 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
- 229-309 hours
- Classroom Training
- 49 hours
- Ongoing Support
-
NewsletterMeetings & ConventionsGrand OpeningOnline SupportSecurity & Safety ProceduresLease NegotiationField OperationsSite SelectionProprietary SoftwareFranchisee Intranet Platform
- Marketing Support
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Ad TemplatesRegional AdvertisingSocial MediaSEOWebsite DevelopmentEmail MarketingLoyalty Program/App
Operations
Additional details about running this franchise.
- Is absentee ownership allowed?
- Yes
-
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit?
Information Circle - No
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Can this franchise be run part time?
Information Circle - No
- # of employees required to run
- 12
-
Are exclusive territories available?
Information Circle - Yes
Interested in ownership opportunities like Groucho's Deli? Request a free consultation with a Franchise Advisor now.
Franchise 500 Ranking History
Compare where Groucho's Deli landed on this year's Franchise 500 Ranking versus previous years.
Additional Rankings
Curious to know where Groucho's Deli ranked on other franchise lists? Find out below.
Ranked #11 in Submarine 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.
Ranked #92 in 2023
Buying a franchise on a budget? No problem. Here are the top franchises that can be started for less than $150,000. For more low-cost opportunities, see our lists of franchises that can be started for less than $50,000 and less than $100,000.
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