Glass Nickel Pizza Co Franchise
Audited FinancialsRisk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$933,000 - $1,698,500
Franchise Fee
$15,000
Total US Locations
9
Business Summary
Glass Nickel Pizza Co. operates modern pizza restaurants that can be either carryout and delivery focused or full dine-in establishments with a bar. These restaurants offer fresh traditional American foods with gourmet complements on the menu, including craft beers, wine, and basic cocktails in the dine-in units. The business serves the general public with a variety of pizza and related food items.
Corporate History
GN Independents, Inc., doing business as Glass Nickel Pizza Co., was incorporated in Wisconsin on September 7, 2006, specifically to offer Glass Nickel Pizza Co. franchises. The company began offering franchises on December 29, 2006. An affiliate, Madison's Dough Boys, Inc., has operated a Glass Nickel Pizza Restaurant in Madison, Wisconsin, since November 1997. Another affiliate, Pupperoni, Inc., acquired an existing Glass Nickel Pizza Restaurant in Brookfield, Wisconsin, on January 30, 2023. Madison's Dough Boys, Inc. previously granted trademark licenses but these licensees have since converted to Glass Nickel Pizza Co. franchises or terminated their agreements. As of January 1, 2018, Madison's Dough Boys, Inc. assigned all its trademarks to GN Independents, Inc. and became a franchisee.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$933,000 - $1,698,500
Franchise Fee (Low)
$15,000
Franchise Fee (High)
$35,000
Royalty %
4%
Marketing %
2%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$275,000
Equipment Costs (High)
$515,000
Working Capital
$237,500
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financing Details
Glass Nickel Pizza Co. does not directly offer financing to its franchisees. While the company has, on occasion in the past, provided limited financial assistance such as leasing and purchasing equipment that it then leased to franchisees at cost, it does not intend to provide such assistance to new franchisees in the future. The franchisor explicitly states it has no contractual obligation to provide such assistance and can refuse to do so at its sole discretion. Therefore, Glass Nickel Pizza Co. franchisees should plan to arrange all their financing independently.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
9
Franchised Units
9
Corporate Units
0
Avg Square Footage
4,200
Franchising Since
2006
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
No
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Summary
Glass Nickel Pizza Co. has no litigation to report in its Franchise Disclosure Document. The company states that no litigation is required to be disclosed in this document, which means there have been no material litigation proceedings involving the franchisor or its management within the reporting period.
Bankruptcy History
Glass Nickel Pizza Co. has no bankruptcy history to report. The company states that no person identified in the FDD's Items 1 or 2 has been involved as a debtor in U.S. Bankruptcy Code proceedings that are required to be disclosed.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
5 years
Renewal Term
5 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew their franchise agreement with Glass Nickel Pizza Co., franchisees must meet several conditions. They must have substantially complied with all provisions of their current franchise agreement and not be in default of any other agreements with the franchisor. Franchisees also need to have the right to maintain possession of their approved location, or an approved substitute, for the duration of the renewal term. Capital expenditures must have been made to ensure the restaurant maintains uniformity with the current System standards. All monetary obligations owed to Glass Nickel Pizza Co. must be satisfied, and the franchisee must provide timely written notice of their intent to renew. Lastly, franchisees must sign the then-current franchise agreement, comply with current qualifications and training requirements, and execute a general release of any claims against the franchisor.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Glass Nickel Pizza Co. provides extensive assistance to its franchisees both before and after opening. Before opening, the franchisor helps with site selection by providing criteria and approving the chosen location, as well as reviewing and approving the lease or purchase agreement for the site. Glass Nickel Pizza Co. furnishes specifications for the restaurant's build-out, including a list of required supplies, equipment, and improvements. Franchisees receive an initial training program and on-site guidance to help with opening questions. After opening, Glass Nickel Pizza Co. offers ongoing general guidance via phone, email, and newsletters on operational methods, accounting, authorized products, and marketing strategies. The franchisor conducts periodic visits to provide consultation and may offer written reports with suggestions for improvements. Ongoing training and operations assistance are also made available as needed. Additionally, Glass Nickel Pizza Co. approves all local and grand opening advertising materials and provides modifications to the Operations Manual as they become available.
Initial Training Hours
298
Training Location
Headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin and your franchised restaurant
Ongoing Support
Glass Nickel Pizza Co. provides ongoing support to its franchisees after their restaurants have opened. This includes periodic advice and general guidance offered by telephone, email, facsimile, and newsletters, covering operational methods, accounting procedures, authorized products, and marketing strategies. The franchisor may also conduct periodic visits to the franchised restaurant for consultation, assistance, and guidance on operations and management, potentially providing written reports with suggestions for improvements. Glass Nickel Pizza Co. makes additional operations assistance and ongoing training programs available as deemed necessary. Franchisees, their managers, and/or employees may be required to attend refresher training programs, though not more than twice per year and not exceeding 4 days annually. Attendance at these ongoing training programs is at the franchisee's expense for travel and living.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
Glass Nickel Pizza Co. is looking for franchisees who are committed to direct, full-time, day-to-day supervision of their restaurant, which is defined as at least 35 hours per week. If the franchisee is a business entity, the designated manager responsible for operations must either hold at least a 40% ownership interest in the entity or have an employment contract guaranteeing them at least 25% of the annual net profits for the first two years of the franchise relationship. The franchise also offers reduced fees as an incentive for 'qualified employees' who have at least 24 months of service at a Glass Nickel Pizza Co. restaurant, demonstrating experience in all major operational aspects including pizza line, kitchen, delivery, phone/customer service, and wait staff (if applicable to a dine-in location). All designated managers must successfully complete the initial training program provided by Glass Nickel Pizza Co.
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
No
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
Retail
Owner Participation
Full-Time
Territory Type
Non-Exclusive
Territory Size Requirements
Glass Nickel Pizza Co. provides an 'Area of Primary Responsibility' (APR) which will be described by specific zip codes or other physical, political, or natural boundaries. The boundaries are determined based on factors like population, median population age, proximity to competitors, proximity to other Glass Nickel Pizza Co. franchises, and natural or political boundaries. However, the APR is not exclusive, meaning Glass Nickel Pizza Co. retains the right to establish other franchised or company-owned businesses within this area. The franchisor can also use other distribution channels like Internet sales or telemarketing, which may compete with the franchisee's restaurant. Franchisees are restricted from directly marketing to or soliciting customers within another franchisee's APR.
Staffing Notes
Glass Nickel Pizza Co. requires that its franchised restaurants always operate under the direct full-time, day-to-day supervision of a Designated Manager. If the franchisee is an individual, they serve as the Designated Manager. If the franchisee is a business entity, the Designated Manager must either own at least a 40% interest in the entity's voting rights and equity or have an employment contract guaranteeing at least 25% of the franchisee's annual net profits, for the first two years of the franchise relationship. The Designated Manager must complete the initial training program before the restaurant opens and any replacement Designated Manager must do so within 60 days of their appointment. Franchisees are responsible for training their own employees and other management personnel. Certain individuals, including owners and employees with access to trade secrets, must sign non-disclosure and non-competition agreements.