Mama's Meatball Franchise
Audited FinancialsRisk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$311,500 - $523,900
Franchise Fee
$35,000
Min Cash Required
$30,000
Total US Locations
1
Business Summary
Mama's Meatball operates Italian restaurants that offer authentic, homemade Italian dining. The business model includes both a Take-Out & Delivery Only format and a Self-Serve Dine-In format, allowing franchisees to choose the operational style that best fits their market.
Corporate History
Mama's Meatball Franchise, LLC was formed in California on October 14, 2021. The franchisor conducts business under its corporate name and also as Mama's Meatball. The company did not operate the type of business being franchised before starting to offer franchises in 2022. An affiliate, Mama's Meatball, a California sole proprietorship, has operated an outlet similar to the franchised model since 2006, with a period from 2008-2015 where the affiliate operated through Mama's Meatball, Inc. This affiliate has not offered franchises and does not provide products or services to franchisees.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$311,500 - $523,900
Franchise Fee (Low)
$35,000
Franchise Fee (High)
$35,000
Minimum Cash Required
$30,000
Royalty %
5%
Marketing %
1%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$60,000
Equipment Costs (High)
$80,000
Working Capital
$52,500
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
Item 21 of the Mama's Meatball FDD includes a special risk note indicating that the franchisor is undercapitalized and may not be able to meet pre-opening obligations to all franchisees. The document also states that prospective franchisees or sellers of franchises should be advised that no independent certified public accountant has audited the unaudited portion of the financial statements or expressed an opinion with regard to their content or form. This indicates a potential financial risk for franchisees.
Financing Details
Mama's Meatball does not offer any direct or indirect financing to its franchisees. The franchisor also does not guarantee any franchisee's note, lease, or other obligation.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
1
Franchised Units
0
Corporate Units
1
Franchising Since
2022
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
No
Bankruptcy
Yes
Litigation Summary
Mama's Meatball has no litigation to report in Item 3 of its Franchise Disclosure Document. The company, its predecessors, or its affiliates have not been involved in any material litigation that is required to be disclosed.
Bankruptcy History
Nicola and Jackeline Allegretta, who are key personnel at Mama's Meatball, filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 13 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in February 2015. Their bankruptcy case was dismissed in April 2020. Other than this personal action, Mama's Meatball has no other bankruptcy history to disclose.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
10 years
Renewal Term
10 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew their franchise agreement, Mama's Meatball franchisees must meet several conditions. They must have fully complied with all material provisions of the Franchise Agreement during its entire term and have made any necessary capital expenditures to maintain uniformity with the System's current standards. All monetary obligations owed to Mama's Meatball or its affiliates must be satisfied and have been met on time throughout the agreement term. Franchisees cannot be in default of any agreement with Mama's Meatball. They must provide written notice of their intent to renew 9 to 12 months before the current term ends. Franchisees will need to sign Mama's Meatball's then-current franchise agreement, which may have different terms and conditions, but they will not pay a new initial franchise fee. They must also comply with current franchisee qualifications, agree to any new training requirements, sign a general release of claims (where permitted by state law), and pay a renewal fee equal to 25% of the then-current initial franchise fee.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Mama's Meatball provides several forms of assistance to its franchisees. Before opening, the franchisor offers an initial training program for the franchisee (or managing owner) and two manager-level employees, along with general opening guidance. Mama's Meatball loans a copy of its Operations Manual or provides electronic access. The franchisor assists with establishing prices and provides specifications or approved supplier lists for equipment, signs, fixtures, initial inventory, and supplies, though it does not deliver or install these items. Limited assistance is also provided to help conform premises to local codes and obtain permits, and with advice on the type and number of employees to hire (though the franchisee is solely responsible for hiring/managing staff). After opening, Mama's Meatball offers general advice and guidance by phone and email, and makes ongoing training available as deemed necessary. Franchisees also receive modifications to the Operations Manual as they are made.
Initial Training Hours
134
Training Location
Our affiliate outlet in San Luis Obispo, CA, or another franchisor training center we designate
Ongoing Support
Mama's Meatball offers ongoing advice, discusses problems, and provides general guidance to franchisees by telephone and/or electronic correspondence regarding planning and operating the franchised business, without charging for this service. The franchisor may also offer ongoing training programs, seminars, conferences, conventions, or webinars, which franchisees may be required to attend up to twice a year at their own expense (including travel, room, board, and employee salaries). The training fee for these sessions is $250 per person per day. Additionally, Mama's Meatball provides franchisees with modifications to the Operations Manual as they become available.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
Mama's Meatball seeks qualified individuals, and for area developers, the franchisor bases qualifications on financial resources, industry experience, business experience, and marketing and sales plans. Generally, an ideal candidate would possess the financial capacity and expertise to develop multiple businesses, typically three to five. The franchisee (or their designated manager) must devote at least 40 hours per week to managing the day-to-day operations of the franchised business.
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
Yes
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
Retail
Owner Participation
Hands-On
Territory Type
Exclusive
Territory Size Requirements
Mama's Meatball defines its franchise territories for individual outlets as a specific geographic region, normally including a 5-mile radius around the franchisee's location. For area developers, the Development Area is determined by factors such as its size, population, and the developer's financial capacity and expertise. While the franchisor or its affiliate reserves the right to use other channels of distribution like the Internet within a franchisee's territory, it would typically direct inquiries for services from that territory to the franchisee's outlet. Franchisees are generally not granted approval to open additional outlets within their territory unless Mama's Meatball believes they have the necessary time, energy, capital, and management structure.
Staffing Notes
Mama's Meatball requires that the franchised business always be under the direct supervision of either the franchisee as the owner/operator or an approved manager who has successfully completed the franchisor's training program. This designated manager must dedicate at least 40 hours per week to managing the day-to-day operations. The franchisee is solely responsible for hiring, firing, compensating, paying payroll taxes for, and supervising their employees. If a designated manager needs to be replaced, the new manager must be approved by Mama's Meatball within 60 days and may be required to complete the training program at the franchisee's expense. Mama's Meatball provides assistance with the type and number of employees that should be hired, but the ultimate responsibility lies with the franchisee.