Risk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$312,400 - $1,779,750
Franchise Fee
$35,000
Total US Locations
19
Business Summary
Curry Up Now offers franchises for restaurants specializing in Indian-style cuisine with a modern twist. The menu features signature dishes like tikka masala burritos, deconstructed samosas, and Indian-inspired poutine called sexy fries, along with other appetizers, desserts, and beverages. Curry Up Now reserves the right to also offer a larger fast-casual restaurant concept that includes a cocktail bar known as "Mortar & Pestle" to qualified candidates.
Corporate History
Francun Inc., the franchisor for Curry Up Now, was established as a Delaware corporation on May 17, 2017. The company began offering franchises shortly thereafter on June 6, 2017. Although Francun Inc. itself does not directly operate restaurants of the type being franchised, its affiliate, Akuranvyka USA Inc. (formed in 2009), has been operating Curry Up Now outlets since 2011. The Great Indian Food Company, Inc., formed in 2016, serves as Francun Inc.'s parent company. Francun Inc. has not offered franchises in any other line of business.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$312,400 - $1,779,750
Franchise Fee (Low)
$35,000
Franchise Fee (High)
$35,000
Royalty %
6%
Marketing %
3%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$205,650
Equipment Costs (High)
$1,272,250
Working Capital
$27,500
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
The franchisor, Francun Inc., provides audited financial statements. The auditors issued an unqualified opinion on these statements for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2023, and 2022. However, a special risk highlighted in the FDD states that Francun Inc.'s financial condition, as shown in its financial statements, raises questions about its ability to provide services and support to franchisees. The Virginia State Corporation Commission also noted that the estimated initial investment for a franchisee (ranging from $311,450 to $1,674,750) exceeds Francun Inc.'s stockholder's equity of $171,969 as of December 31, 2022. Francun Inc. reported a net loss of $102,937 in 2023, following a profit of $140,008 in 2022, and had relatively low cash balances of $13,175 in 2023.
Financing Details
Curry Up Now does not offer any direct or indirect financing to its franchisees. The franchisor also does not guarantee any notes, leases, or other financial obligations for franchisees.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
19
Franchised Units
11
Corporate Units
8
Avg Square Footage
2,375
Franchising Since
2017
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
No
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Count
1
Litigation Summary
Curry Up Now has no litigation information required to be disclosed in Item 3 of its FDD. However, Item 13 of the FDD mentions one past legal case. In 2019, Curry Up Now's affiliate, Akuranvyka USA Inc., filed a lawsuit against Vishal Patel Restaurant Group, LLC, which operated a "Curry Up Indian Grill" in Ohio, alleging trademark infringement. Curry Up Now sought to stop the use of the similar name and recover damages. This case has since been dismissed.
Bankruptcy History
Curry Up Now has no bankruptcy history to report for the franchisor or its key personnel.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
10 years
Renewal Term
10 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew their franchise agreement, Curry Up Now franchisees must notify the franchisor of their desire to renew. They must be current on all payments and not be in default of their franchise agreement. If required by Curry Up Now, franchisees must renovate or upgrade their restaurant to meet current brand standards. They will also need to sign a legal release and a new successor franchise agreement, and pay a successor agreement fee of $7,500. The terms of the new agreement may differ, but territory boundaries will remain the same, and fees will not exceed those for similarly situated franchisees.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Curry Up Now provides a range of assistance to its franchisees. Before opening, this includes offering written materials for site analysis, prototype design plans for the restaurant, a loan of the Confidential Operations Manual, and reviewing the franchisee's six-month Grand Opening Advertising Campaign. Curry Up Now also provides mandatory HQ Initial Training for key personnel (Designated Operating Principal, General Manager, Kitchen Manager, and Assistant General Manager) and typically sends one or two representatives for on-site pre-opening assistance and training for several days around the opening date. For the larger restaurant concept with a bar, franchisees must hire an approved supplier for bar training and consulting. After opening, Curry Up Now offers ongoing support through periodic inspections and evaluations, advice and updates to the Operations Manual, and ongoing training programs and seminars. They administer the Creative Marketing Fund for regional and national advertising, and provide indemnification for the use of its trademarks. Curry Up Now may also determine the maximum prices for products, hold annual franchisee meetings, and review local advertising campaigns. Franchisees must use specified music streaming services, maintain a POS system with a maintenance contract, and purchase ongoing spice inventory from the franchisor or approved suppliers.
Initial Training Hours
109
Training Location
San Jose, San Ramon, San Mateo, California, Salt Lake City, Utah, or Texas
Ongoing Support
After their Curry Up Now restaurant opens, franchisees receive ongoing support including regular visits for inspections and evaluations of products and services. Curry Up Now provides advice and written materials, such as updates to the Operations Manual, on managing and operating the restaurant, including new developments in equipment, food products, recipes, packaging, and preparation. Franchisees and their personnel are required to attend periodic training programs, seminars, and annual franchisee meetings. Additional on-site training at the restaurant can also be provided upon request or if deemed necessary by Curry Up Now, though fees apply. Curry Up Now administers a Creative Marketing Fund for regional and national advertising and indemnifies franchisees for proper use of its trademarks. Franchisees must use specific music streaming services, maintain a POS system with a maintenance contract, pay an Internal System Fee for technology improvements, and purchase ongoing spice inventory from the franchisor or approved suppliers. Local advertising campaigns are also reviewed by the franchisor after the grand opening period.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
Curry Up Now is looking for qualified candidates for its larger fast-casual restaurant concept with a cocktail bar. Ideal candidates for this option must have prior restaurant industry experience and previous experience owning and operating multiple restaurant concepts that include full bars serving beer, wine, and cocktails. The franchisor retains sole discretion in offering this specific concept based on these qualifications.
Industry Experience Required
Yes
Management Experience Required
Yes
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
retail
Owner Participation
supervisory
Territory Type
limited
Staff Count
3
Territory Size Requirements
Curry Up Now grants a Designated Territory that varies based on the restaurant's location. For restaurants in urban settings, the territory will have a minimum radius of 0.25 miles. For suburban settings, the territory will have a minimum radius of 2 miles. Curry Up Now also maintains the right to provide a 2-mile buffer between different trade areas, designated territories, and development areas to prevent overlaps.
Staffing Notes
Curry Up Now requires franchisees to employ a minimum of one General Manager, one Kitchen Manager, and one Assistant General Manager. These managers must dedicate their full-time efforts to the daily operation and supervision of the restaurant. They must also meet specific educational and business criteria set by Curry Up Now, be individually acceptable to the franchisor, and complete all required training. While a Principal (owner) can serve as one of these managers if they have at least three years of relevant restaurant management or ownership experience, the Designated Operating Principal (the owner responsible for general oversight) is not permitted to be one of these day-to-day managers. Franchisees must replace any manager who ceases to qualify or serve in their role within 30 days. All managers and other personnel with access to confidential information must sign confidentiality and non-competition agreements. Additional personnel requirements will be outlined in the Confidential Operations Manual.