Country Kitchen International Franchise
Audited FinancialsRisk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$415,000 - $1,674,000
Franchise Fee
$25,000
Total US Locations
21
Business Summary
Country Kitchen International operates full-service, family dining restaurants specializing in hand-made, cooked-to-order food. Their menu features signature skillet breakfasts, pancakes, hamburgers, salads, traditional grilled items, and dinner entrées, all served in an atmosphere designed to resemble a farmhouse country kitchen. Country Kitchen International also offers a variation called 'Café by Country Kitchen,' which provides a breakfast and lunch menu, has more limited hours, and can be found in standalone or non-traditional locations. The franchise provides a comprehensive system for developing and operating these restaurants, including distinctive exterior and interior designs, special recipes, uniform operational standards, and training.
Corporate History
Legacy Franchise Group, LLC, which operates as Country Kitchen International, was established as a Tennessee limited liability company on August 24, 2011. The company began offering franchises for Country Kitchen restaurants around this time. Legacy Franchise Group, LLC acquired the majority of its assets on September 1, 2011, from Country Kitchen Franchise Marketing Group, LLC (CKFMG). CKFMG had previously acquired the assets of Kitchen Investment Group, Inc. (KIGI) in 2010 through a state receivership action. KIGI had initially acquired the assets of Country Kitchen International, Inc. on July 22, 1997, and had offered Country Kitchen franchises from that date until July 2010. During the receivership, CKFMG maintained the existing franchise system but did not sell any new franchises. Currently, Legacy Franchise Group, LLC does not operate any company-owned Country Kitchen restaurants.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$415,000 - $1,674,000
Franchise Fee (Low)
$25,000
Franchise Fee (High)
$40,000
Royalty %
4%
Marketing %
4%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$240,500
Equipment Costs (High)
$1,225,000
Working Capital
$75,000
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
Legacy Franchise Group, LLC appears to be in good financial health with consistent net income over the past three fiscal years ($393,898 in 2024, $437,286 in 2023, and $616,348 in 2022). The company maintains strong positive working capital of $358,558 as of August 31, 2024. In prior fiscal years, Country Kitchen International benefited from government programs, receiving Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans of $113,035 and $158,249, and Employee Retention Credits (ERC) totaling $94,454 (in 2022 and 2023). The independent auditor's report did not include any going concern qualifications, indicating confidence in Country Kitchen International's ability to continue operations.
Financing Details
Country Kitchen International does not offer any direct or indirect financing to its franchisees. Franchisees are responsible for securing their own funding for notes, leases, and other obligations, as the franchisor also does not guarantee these arrangements.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
21
Franchised Units
21
Corporate Units
0
Avg Square Footage
3,750
Franchising Since
2011
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
No
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Summary
Country Kitchen International has no litigation to report in this Item, indicating a clean legal history.
Bankruptcy History
Country Kitchen International has no bankruptcy history to report.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
20 years
Renewal Term
5 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew their franchise agreement, Country Kitchen International franchisees must provide written notice between 6 and 12 months before the current term ends. They must be in good standing, not in material default of any agreements, and current on all payments owed to Country Kitchen International. All required training must be completed, and the franchisee must finish any mandated upgrades or modifications to their Country Kitchen restaurant at least one month before expiration. Finally, franchisees must sign a new franchise agreement, which may have materially different terms than their existing one, and also sign a general release of any claims they may have against Country Kitchen International.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Country Kitchen International provides franchisees with a range of support both before and after their restaurant opens. Before opening, Country Kitchen International helps with site selection criteria, provides typical site and construction plans, and offers standard layouts for interior design, fixtures, and equipment. Franchisees receive a pre-opening management training program, initial training materials, and access to the operations manual. After opening, Country Kitchen International offers ongoing assistance through periodic updates to the manual, written or verbal consultations, and regular inspections of the restaurant's premises and products. Upon a franchisee's reasonable written request, Country Kitchen International will provide additional services or training to address specific problems (with the franchisee covering the costs) and reviews and approves advertising materials.
Initial Training Hours
720
Training Location
Certified Training Country Kitchen and Corporate Office in Middleton, Wisconsin
Ongoing Support
Country Kitchen International provides ongoing support to its franchisees after opening, including periodic updates to the operations manual, which are available electronically on a franchisee portal. The franchisor offers written or verbal consultation and advice as needed, and periodically inspects restaurant premises and products to ensure operational efficiency and compliance with system standards. Upon a franchisee's reasonable written request, Country Kitchen International will provide additional services or training to address specific problems, with the franchisee reimbursing the franchisor for all associated costs. The franchisor also reviews and approves franchisee advertising materials. Franchisees, their Approved Operators, and managers are required to attend periodic additional training, refresher, and retraining programs, for which Country Kitchen International does not charge a fee, but franchisees cover their own expenses.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
Country Kitchen International seeks franchisees, or their designated Approved Operator, who have a proven track record of successfully owning or managing restaurants similar to Country Kitchen, with multi-unit experience if managing multiple locations. Ideal candidates must demonstrate good moral character, possess the aptitude and ability to operate the business, and be authorized to ensure compliance with the franchise agreement. The Approved Operator is required to devote full-time effort to the daily operations of the Country Kitchen restaurant(s) and must live within the general area of the restaurant. They must also successfully complete Country Kitchen International's training program. If the franchisee is a business entity, the Managing Owner must be the Principal Owner with the largest equity stake, authorized to make decisions for the entity.
Industry Experience Required
Yes
Management Experience Required
Yes
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
Retail
Owner Participation
Hands-On
Territory Type
Non-Exclusive
Territory Size Requirements
Country Kitchen International defines its franchise territories as a marketing area. In suburban or exurban areas, this marketing area is typically a three-mile radius around the Country Kitchen restaurant. For dense urban areas, the marketing area is defined by a minimum population of 40,000 people.
Staffing Notes
Country Kitchen International requires its franchisees to maintain a competent and conscientious staff, with numbers determined by the franchisor and outlined in the operations manual. Key managerial positions, including Approved Operators, Managers, and Assistant Managers, must successfully complete Country Kitchen International's training program. This training covers all restaurant positions, supervision skills for both front and back of house operations, scheduling, inventory, and ordering. All staff are expected to uphold good customer relations, provide competent, courteous service, adhere to prescribed uniforms and dress codes, and meet minimum performance standards.