Italian cuisine chains are located in cities all over the country. Their menus offer a variety of home-type cooked meals including pasta, steak and seafood. People like them because they can get a home cooked meal for a reasonable price without having to cook it themselves.

Cash in on Italian food franchises by opening your own in your city. Large conglomerates own these chains and franchise them out, so get the scoop on start up costs and other regulations. Decide if you will run it yourself or hire a management team. Look for the following when deciding on franchise terms for Italian Cuisine Chains:

1. Choose Italian chain restaurants and serve healthier meals.

2. Look at initial investment to get your Italian restaurants operating.

3. Decide if Italian restaurant chains make sense for your business.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check availability and pricing for a local Italian cuisine franchise

Not every franchise has openings in your area. Once you have decided on a chain, contact them to find out if you can open a store in your area. If they have no need in your local area, they will send you a list of close areas that need a local restaurant. You can also decide on a restaurant chain based on total price or down payment needed. You can check your state to see which restaurant chains have openings.

I recommend: Brinker International has several chains including Macaroni Grill. Fill out their request for consideration to start the application process. Fazoli's lists their requirements and provides name and phone number of the person to call if you want to pursue this opportunity.

Ask the Italian chain restaurant franchise about initial investment

Initial investments for restaurant chains is usually high however, some cost less than others cost. Before you decide, find out exactly what monetary commitments you will need to make upfront. Remember also, that the initial investment for the franchise fee only covers the franchise itself and you will still need working capital for such expenses as electricity, phone and payroll.

I recommend: Sbarro offers an Italian chain franchise opportunity that requires liquid assets of $150,000 and a net worth of $300,000. Required capital investment of $214,000 to $758,000 is also necessary. There is a franchise fee of $35,000 and a royalty fee of $15,000 to $35,000. Rotelli offers a franchise opportunity with total capital requirement of $125,000 to $175,000. There is a $25,000 franchise fee and your total investment ranges from $250,000 to $350,000.

Open Italian restaurant chains for immediate business

When you open a chain store, you are cashing in on the name of the franchise. People know that whether your store is in Maine or California, they will get the same menu and service when they stop at a familiar place. This is why you buy a franchise, but the down side is there are tight regulations on franchises. You will get your operating schedule, menu and décor from the company. If you fail to meet your obligations, which usually include buying all of your supplies from them, you will lose your franchise.

I recommend: Food Franchise provides available franchise information in all fifty states. Find your franchise by state location or initial investment. Then scrutinize the facts to make sure this is the right opportunity for you. Franchise Gator provides a list of current available franchises. Select the one that interests you and then read the facts so you know what to expect before you invest.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Obtaining financing to start Italian food chains can be a difficult process since many financial institutions consider restaurant franchises high risk. Improve your loan chances by putting down as much upfront cash as possible. When the bank sees you taking part of the risk, they will give your loan application closer scrutiny.