Frequently Asked Questions

What is the relationship between Village Inn and its franchisees?

A Village Inn franchise is a business alliance in which we recruit and train qualified operators (franchisees) to help us build brand equity and increase market share.

Why are Village Inn restaurants being offered as franchises?

Village Inn has embarked on an aggressive plan to significantly increase its share of the mid-scale family-dining market. Franchising is one of the business strategies that will help us achieve this goal efficiently and effectively.

What are the financial requirements?

Prospective franchisees must have a minimum $750,000 net worth and $250,000 liquid capital. Village Inn does not offer direct financing to our franchisees.

As a Village Inn franchisee, how will I help strengthen the Village Inn brand?

With every new Village Inn restaurant you open, your commitment to delivering a consistent, quality dining experience to every guest, each time he or she visits, will create customer loyalty and draw more people to our brand.

What are the qualifications for becoming a Village Inn franchisee?

Each applicant must meet very specific qualification requirements, among them:

• Management background with multi-site operations and supervision experience
• Complete understanding of the Village Inn strategy, philosophy and mission
• Willingness to follow systems and operate with team spirit and a shared vision
• Ability to develop strategic business plans and execute them effectively
• Capacity and commitment to complete all required training courses successfully

What do I get for the required fees?

Our initial $40,000 franchise fee grants you the opportunity to join the Village Inn team and the right to develop restaurants within a market that has been carefully identified as holding significant growth potential for the Village Inn brand.

The ongoing 4% royalty, which is a portion of gross sales, is compensation to Village Inn for the use of our brand identity and operating systems, which have been proven to attract and retain customers. All corporate Village Inn restaurants and new franchises also contribute 2% of gross sales to a marketing and advertising account that we use to build brand awareness and drive customers to all our restaurants. Franchisees are also required to allocate an additional 1½% to local advertising and promotion.

Does Village Inn have a quality-assurance program?

Our quality-assurance program helps ensure that each Village Inn restaurant – whether franchised or corporately owned and operated – delivers our “Gold Standard” to every Village Inn customer.

What operational and support systems does Village Inn provide?

• A comprehensive brand-identity system, consisting of a registered trademark, definitive logos, complete signage package and other graphic elements.
• Retail-marketing support
• Advertising programs
• Field-operations support
• Quality-assurance systems
• Training and human-resource-development programs

Will Village Inn's national purchasing agreements help me deliver a consistent, quality experience cost-effectively?

Our negotiating power enhances the efficiency and profitability of our entire system in a number of areas, from food and supply distribution to complete Village Inn restaurant equipment packages.

Does Village Inn provide training for its franchisees?

Each potential franchisee and his or her manager candidates must achieve certification in our comprehensive management-training program before opening and operating a Village Inn franchise. This in-depth course will familiarize you and your managers with every aspect of Village Inn’s proven business systems and brand identity.

Who assists Village Inn franchisees on an ongoing basis?

The role of Village Inn's Franchise Consultants is that of a business advisor who will help you properly execute our operating systems and marketing programs. These consultants help ensure that our franchised restaurants deliver our "Gold Standard" to every Village Inn customer during each visit.

Who will coordinate my grand opening? Will Village Inn provide marketing support?

Your Village Inn Franchise Consultant and our New Restaurant Opening Coordinator will help you manage your grand opening, as well as provide materials and programs designed to make the grand opening a success.