Business Description

STRINGS ITALIAN CAFE is a full-service, casual restaurant, with a menu focusing on a variety of pasta entrees, pizza, salads, desserts and espresso. A central kitchen/commissary provides most of the product requirements.

Franchisor Background

Year Established:  1987

Franchising Since:  1989

Operating Units:
Franchised Units:	17	85%
Company-Owned Units:	3	15%
Total Operating Units:	20	100.0%
Geographic Distribution: U.S.: 18 90% In 3 States Canada: 2 10% In 1 Canadian Provinces International: 0 0% In 0 Foreign Countries   Total: 20 100.0%

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

Density	Units
1. California	0
2. Nevada	0
3. Quebec	0

Registered in Following Registration States: California, Florida, Oregon, Washington

Financial Requirements

Investment:
Minimum Net Worth:	$400K
Cash Investment:	$100K
Total Investment:	$325K
Average Total Investment:	$325K
Fees:
Initial Franchise Fee:	$37.5K
Average Franchise Fee:	$38K
On-Going Royalty:	5%
Average Royalty:	5%
Advertising Fee:	2%

Average Number of Employees: 4-6 Full-time, 15 Part-time

Space Needs (in square footage): 2,500

Preferred Sites: Strip Center, Regional Mall

Other Sites:

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:	5
Formal Education:	3
Psychological Profile:	3
Personal Interview(s):	4
Terms of Contract
Term of Initial Contract:	10 Year(s)
Term of Renewal Period:	5 Year(s)
Passive Ownership:	Allowed, But Discouraged
Area Development Agreements?	Yes, for 1 Year(s)
Sub-Franchising Contracts?	No
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:	12
Site Selection Assistance?	Yes
Lease Negotiation Assistance?	Yes
Financial Assistance?	No
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:	Not Applicable
Central Purchasing:	Not Applicable
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. Gold River, CA	6 Weeks
2. On-Site	3 Weeks
Expansion Plans
Projected New Units Over Next 12 months: 4 U.S.: Yes, All United States Canada: No Overseas: No	Request Franchisor Info   Submit an online form to receive information from Strings Italian Cafe.