Franchising
Why is a Papa Ray’s Franchise Right For You?
Now is the perfect time for you to become a Papa Ray’s franchise owner! We are a young company growing quickly in the restaurant industry. Because we are small, we are economical and easy to work with. Our size allows you to get the help you need from the executive team of Papa Ray’s, who have the experience and passion to make you successful.
Our business model will be a guide to making your restaurant prosperous. We consistently create restaurants that succeed in their marketplaces using the support of our experience, distinctive brand, delicious recipes, and effective marketing strategies.
Every dish is affordable, delicious, and fresh. Our homemade pizza sauce is full of flavor and our pizzas are cooked to perfection in our traditional deck ovens (we do not use conveyer belt ovens). The Papa Ray’s MONSTER slice is a customer favorite. The MONSTER slice is made with quality ingredients, is 12 inches long and is topped with savory cheese. Other favorites include rib tips, wings, calzone wraps, mac and cheese, and wings which are fresh, never frozen, breaded and fried to perfection.
Our online ordering system and late hours will give your restaurant the reputation of being convenient and reliable. Papa Ray’s has dine-in, delivery and carry out options at all of its restaurants.
How Did We Get Started?
Papa Ray’s Pizza & Wings was established in 2009 by brothers John and George Rayyan. They first got into the pizza business in 2006 when they bought a collapsing pizzeria called Pinocchio’s Pizza & Pub. John and George took over the pizza restaurant and turned it around. In 2008, a customer who was impressed with the business approached them with an offer that was too good to turn down. After careful consideration, they decided to sell their pizzeria.
Soon after, George and John decided they weren’t done with the restaurant business. They have always had a passion for creating great recipes and serving them to their friends, family, and customers. They opened their first Papa Ray’s concept in 2009 and decided to create a scalable business model to get excited about. They used the name “Ray” in honor of their father who they both looked up to. The pizza industry has become John and George’s obsession. They are passionate about being the best in the industry and want to work with ambitious people ready to own their own business.
What Support is Offered?
When you join the Papa Ray’s team as a franchise owner, you can expect the founders and owners of Papa Ray’s to be with you every step of the way. They will offer support in a number of different areas:
- Operational Support
- Marketing Support
- Purchasing Support
- Staffing Support
- Ongoing Research and Development
- Overall Program Oversight
Training Includes:
- 3 weeks of Training Papa Ray’s headquarters in Chicago beginning approximately 2–4 weeks before the franchise is scheduled to open for business
- 3 days of Training at your location to get your business started
- 1–2 sessions per year, which can be up to refresh/update training
- Ongoing support and guidance in building and operating your business
What are the Territories and Fees?
You will be given an exclusive territory to develop your Papa Ray’s franchise. Once your site is approved, you will have a protected area for your Papa Ray’s Pizza Restaurant. This area will have a minimum radius of 3 miles from other Papa Ray’s Pizza Restaurants. The boundaries will be determined based on population density, existing competition and other relevant factors.
The initial fee for one franchise is $25,000. Minimal start-up costs can be as low as about $173,000 in cash, liquid assets, available financing, or a combination thereof. We make starting a Papa Ray’s as easy as possible. We aggressively negotiate the lease with you to get the best pricing and actively help you find the best prices on all the necessary equipment.
Royalties are 5 percent of gross sales.
The cost of advertising varies by location, based on a number of factors. Papa Ray’s Pizza Franchise assists franchisees in developing a suggested budget determined by the prospective location’s demographic. Advertising costs for franchises are a minimum of $3,800 per month.
Lets Talk Numbers: Papa Ray’s Approximate Initial Investment
What Qualifications are Recommended?
We want our franchisees to succeed. The best way to do that is to accept the right people. The food business is a people business. Slight differences in quality can make dramatic differences in sales. The best way to achieve consistent quality is to establish strict employee performance. That is why we prefer franchise owners or partners who will be dedicated to the business full time, to be present on a daily basis. A successful franchisee has a friendly personality that attracts customers and motivates the staff. It is also very important to have a strong desire to succeed and have excellent problem solving skills.
The following elements are key to a successful franchise:
- Personal Commitment
- Ability to Meet Initial Investments
- Strong Integrity in the Business
- Leadership & Management skills
- Time Management Skills
- Strong Sales & Customer Service Abilities
Picture a Day in the Life Owning a Papa Ray’s
Before you leave for work, you check your emails and review your budget from home. Your store opens at 11 a.m. In order to prepare for the busy day, you arrive at 10 a.m. Your store employs team members including managers, cashiers, drivers, and cooks. Your team prepares for the lunch rush by cutting up fresh vegetables and preparing the premium meats, fresh cheeses, and dough.Team members take orders at the register, over the phone and via the Papa Ray’s website. As the orders come in, the food is prepared using the delicious Papa Ray’s recipes. At around 2 p.m., the lunch rush dies down, and the team prepares for the dinner rush while accommodating the steady flow of customers. The team makes a fresh batch of dough and chops more vegetables to keep everything fresh for the afternoon guests.
The dinner rush slows down at around 9 p.m. and the team begins to clean up the restaurant and restock for tomorrow. Papa Ray’s closes at 2 a.m.
Your restaurant manager, team, and the Papa Ray’s business model, allows your restaurant run smoothly even when you are not there. This allows your hours to be flexible and helps you have the time to get your restaurant’s name out there by visiting local businesses and advertising in your neighborhood.
Pizza is a $40 billion a year industry and will continue to grow. Almost everyone eats pizza. It is inexpensive, fast, easily customizable and delicious. Pizza isn’t going anywhere and neither is Papa Ray’s. According to PMQ Pizza Magazine, over 3 billion pizzas are sold each year. Statistics show that 93 percent of Americans have pizza at least once a month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need restaurant experience?
No experience necessary. You have an experienced team behind you who will truly be there for you each step of the way.
What advantages are there in owning a Papa Ray’s Pizza Franchise?
The demand for pizza by American consumers continues today as never before. Our product line and efficient store design developed from our experience enhances your ability to capitalize on the demand. You gain the benefit of our experience and buying power from day one.
Can I convert an existing pizzeria into a Papa Ray’s Pizza?
Yes, but we may require some new equipment and the pizzeria will need to be adjusted to look like a Papa Ray’s Pizza.
If I already own a pizzeria, why would I want to become a Papa Ray’s Pizza Franchisee?
You can reduce your cost of goods, share in cooperative advertising in some areas, and benefit from our name recognition. By joining us, you can take advantage of our volume purchasing power with vendors to lower your cost of ingredients. You can capitalize on our advertising system both in your locality, and in the greater area served by Papa Ray’s Pizza Franchise.
Do you allow partnerships if I don’t meet the financial requirements alone?
Yes. Each partner must submit his or her own Application and Financial Information Sheet.
Does Papa Ray’s Pizza Franchise Pizza require its franchises to be owner-operated?
Yes. Daily participation by an owner or family member is highly recommended and will generally produce better financial performance for a franchise.
How do I choose a location and will Papa Ray’s Pizza Franchise help in site selection?
The ideal site is a high traffic in-line strip shopping center with a “draw” located in the center. Many prospective franchisees already know of such a location. If you do not have a location in mind, you can use our experience and contacts to assist you in selecting a site.
Where do I purchase equipment and supplies?
We have developed a network of suppliers for our equipment and other items. These approved suppliers can provide you with all items that meet our specifications and standards.
How long will it take to open a franchise?
The time necessary to open a franchise varies from location to location depending on the local health department and city permitting. Once a lease is signed, it takes approximately 30 to 120 days.