There are lots of good reasons to open a fast-casual restaurant franchise and become your own boss, not the least of which is the appeal of working for your own bottom line instead of someone else’s. Some people appreciate having more control over their own work schedule. Still others want the satisfaction of starting and running their own business on their own terms. Whatever the reason, once they start investigating their options, they quickly realize there are a lot of factors to consider before investing in a franchise opportunity.
Samurai Sam’s Teriyaki Grill™ has been a restaurant franchisor for more than 25 years, and here’s how we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about starting a Japanese restaurant business.
1. How much does it cost to start a Japanese restaurant business?
This is almost always the first thing people want to know. The total estimated initial investment for a traditional Samurai Sam’s Teriyaki Grill is between $122,660 and $432,050 (per the 2019 FDD). Your start-up costs will vary depending on the size and location of your restaurant and include a franchise fee plus additional expenses for construction, technology, marketing, as well as some recurring costs of running a Japanese fast-casual restaurant.
2. Where is the best place to open my Samurai Sam’s Teriyaki Grill restaurant?
A great location is fundamental to the success of any fast-casual restaurant. For starters, you’ll want a spot with adequate parking, great visibility, and a large enough population of potential customers to ensure a steady stream of business. Our real estate experts will help you find a great site to start your Japanese restaurant business, and we’ll help you design an inviting space that fits your community.
3. Can I start a Japanese restaurant business if I have no previous experience?
You should think about your goals,¹ your abilities and skills, and how much you can afford to invest before diving into any franchise opportunity. But once you make the decision to buy a Samurai Sam’s franchise, we offer extensive training and support to teach you everything you need to know about running a healthy teriyaki grill restaurant. We welcome new franchisees from every walk of life, with previous restaurant experience or without. We ask only that you come prepared to be a hands-on manager who treats every customer as your personal guest.
4. Can I get help financing a new fast-casual restaurant?
We want our franchisees to be financially prepared to cover the up-front costs of starting a Japanese restaurant business, especially in the early days of owning their own Samurai Sam’s Teriyaki Grill. We’re looking for people with at least $100,000 in liquid assets and a net worth of $250,000. We don’t provide financing ourselves, but we can introduce you to third-party lenders who know and value our attractive business plan and history of growth.
5. What do I need to do to market my fast-casual restaurant?
Samurai Sam’s is part of Kahala Brands™, one of the fastest-growing franchise groups in the world. Kahala Brands believes in supporting all its franchisees with brilliant national and local store marketing and advertising campaigns to help you attract new customers and keep existing customers coming back. Kahala Brands also offers custom marketing materials for individual locations, and of course non-exclusive rights to all trade names, trademarks and logos to let people know there’s a new Samurai Sam’s Teriyaki Grill in town.
If you’re seriously considering investing in a Samurai Sam’s Teriyaki Grill restaurant we’ll be happy to answer all your questions, so contact us today.
External Resources:
- “A Consumer’s Guide to Buying a Franchise.” Federal Trade Commission, July 28, 2015.
https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/consumers-guide-buying-
franchise#right-for-you.
