Established
2005
Franchise Units
33
Minimum Investment
$450,000
Franchise Fee
$35,000
Total Investment Range
$750,000
Home Based
No
Description
Pickleman's Gourmet Cafe is a fast-growing American fast-casual sandwich franchise known for artisan sandwiches, toasted subs, fresh-baked bread, soups, salads, and late-night dining appeal. Positioned at the intersection of quality, speed, and convenience, Pickleman’s has carved out a strong niche in high-traffic urban areas, college towns, medical districts, and mixed-use developments across the United States.
The brand stands out for its commitment to premium ingredients, in-house baking, and an efficient service model that supports dine-in, takeout, catering, and third-party delivery. With a menu that balances indulgent comfort food and lighter options, Pickleman’s attracts a broad demographic—students, professionals, families, and late-night customers—creating consistent, all-day revenue potential.
From a franchise perspective, Pickleman’s Gourmet Cafe offers a scalable, systems-driven concept with strong unit-level economics, multiple revenue channels, and an experienced leadership team. Its growing national footprint and disciplined site-selection strategy make it a compelling option for investors seeking a proven fast-casual brand with room for expansion in the U.S. market.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
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Proven Fast-Casual Model: A refined operating system designed for speed, consistency, and repeat business.
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Broad Customer Appeal: Popular with college campuses, office corridors, hospitals, and suburban trade areas.
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Multiple Revenue Streams: Dine-in, carryout, catering, online ordering, and delivery partnerships.
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Operational Efficiency: Streamlined kitchen layout and menu design reduce labor complexity.
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Strong Brand Identity: Known for toasted sandwiches, fresh bread baked daily, and late-night hours in select markets.
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Growth Momentum: Continued expansion across multiple U.S. states with white-space opportunities available.
Background
Established Year: 2005
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Founders: Doug Wilcox & Craig Dunaway
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Headquarters: Columbia, Missouri, USA
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Industry Category: Fast-Casual Restaurants / Sandwich & Café Franchise
Pickleman’s Gourmet Cafe was founded with a simple vision—serve high-quality, flavorful sandwiches using premium ingredients in a fast-casual environment. The original location in Columbia, Missouri quickly gained a loyal following, particularly among university students and professionals.
Recognizing the concept’s scalability, the founders expanded the brand through franchising, focusing on strong operational systems, standardized recipes, and disciplined real-estate selection. Over the years, Pickleman’s has grown steadily across the Midwest and beyond, building a reputation for consistency, strong unit performance, and hands-on franchise support.
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Franchise Active Units (Current): 33+ locations across the USA (company-owned and franchised)
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Ownership Structure: Privately held
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Market Presence: Strong concentration in Midwest and expanding into additional U.S. regions
Support Training
Pickleman’s Gourmet Cafe offers comprehensive, end-to-end franchise support designed to help owners launch and scale successfully.
Pre-Launch Support
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Site selection guidance and demographic analysis
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Lease review and store layout recommendations
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Vendor sourcing and equipment specifications
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Assistance with permits, licenses, and pre-opening compliance
Training Program
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In-depth initial training at headquarters and in-store
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Food preparation, quality control, and safety standards
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POS systems, inventory management, and labor scheduling
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Customer service and team leadership development
Operational Support
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Detailed operations manuals and SOPs
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Ongoing field support and performance evaluations
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Menu updates and product innovation guidance
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Supply chain and purchasing support
Marketing & Brand Support
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Grand-opening marketing strategies
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National and local marketing tools
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Digital ordering, delivery platform integration, and catering promotion
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Ongoing brand campaigns and creative assets
Ideal Candidate
Pickleman’s Gourmet Cafe is best suited for entrepreneurs and investors who value operational excellence and brand consistency.
Ideal candidates typically have:
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Experience in food service, hospitality, or multi-unit operations (preferred but not mandatory)
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Strong people-management and customer-service skills
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Hands-on or semi-absentee ownership mindset
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Financial capability to meet investment and liquidity requirements
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Interest in developing single or multiple units over time
Location Preferences:
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College towns and university areas
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Urban and suburban commercial districts
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Medical campuses and office hubs
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High-traffic mixed-use developments
Financial Detail
| Financial Component | Estimated Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Total Initial Investment | $450,000 – $750,000 |
| Minimum Liquid Capital Required | $200,000+ |
| Franchise Fee | ~$35,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements / Build-Out | $200,000 – $350,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment (FF&E) | $50,000 – $100,000 |
| Initial Inventory & Supplies | $15,000 – $25,000 |
| Technology & POS Systems | $8,000 – $15,000 |
| Initial Marketing / Grand Opening | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| Professional Fees & Licenses | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Working Capital (3–6 months) | $40,000 – $70,000 |
| Royalty Fee | ~6% of Gross Sales |
| Brand / Marketing Fund Contribution | ~2% of Gross Sales |
| Agreement Term | 10 Years (Renewable) |
| Estimated Break-Even Period | 24 – 36 Months |
| Potential Revenue Streams | Dine-in, Takeout, Catering, Online Ordering, Delivery |