Our Roots:
Built by partners with an entrepreneurial spirit and passion for feeding the community they love, Sauce on the Side has established itself as a restaurant brand breaking through the sea of sameness. Offering fresh, hand-crafted calzones, salads and desserts, guests enjoy their experience through the fun, modern dining rooms, delivery, takeout and curbside services.
After building a reputation for indulgent food and dynamic authenticity, Sauce on the Side has won hearts and stomachs of guests across the Midwest. The Travel Channel’s Food Paradise awarded Sauce on the Side the “Cheesiest Restaurant in America,” in 2015 for the Cock-a-Doodle Noodle calzone. After building a strong business model, Sauce on the Side was well positioned to begin franchising in 2018.
With the mission to “Feed the community, provide the highest quality food and service, and create an atmosphere of fun and fairness,” Sauce on the Side has pivoted from three successful restaurants in four years (2012 – 2016 in St Louis), building a franchise structure allowing for other entrepreneurs to create their own prosperity. By creating a feedback rich environment, building partnerships based on common values and focusing on continual improvement of the business model, Sauce on the Side continues to grow into new communities.
The Opportunity:
Sauce on the Side is currently partnering with Franchise restaurant operators to create even more raving fans throughout the central United States. With existing locations in Missouri and Indiana, it is not uncommon for our existing restaurants to receive visitors from across the region, and beyond, asking when we’re coming to their hometown. Let’s make that happen, together!
It is important to match the right partner with the right opportunity. To accomplish that goal, we are seeking to partner with:
- Owner/Operators: For those chasing their dream of building wealth and working for themselves, and have the passion to grow their seed money in to a new future.
- Multi-unit Developers: Experienced restaurant operators and entities seeking another concept and interested in an Area Development Agreement to grow the brand across one, or multiple geographic territories.
- Conversions: Existing restaurant owners with a desire to convert their current concept to a Sauce on the Side restaurant.
Why We’re Unique:
In the fast casual world, there is a sea of sameness. We’re different. We’re hip and fun. We source high quality ingredients, prepare our dough, sauces and dressings in house, AND we emphasize hospitality. Our service model is a cut above, just like our food: order at the counter then sit back and relax. We cut out the wait times: No delays to be greeted, searching for a server and looking around to get the check and pay. We want you to be taken care of, so we deliver the food to the table, refill glasses and box the leftovers (yep, our Calzones are that big).
As a concept, we were also created to thrive during challenging periods of time, and have proven to be well positioned for the evolving consumer preferences – we deliver through our own channel, we have curbside pickup (and in some locations pickup windows too), we source and prepare high quality, fresh ingredients and the value perception is high.
Supporting Our Franchisees:
You can count on our team to partner closely with you to help you learn how to operate the business, and continually improve performance as a Sauce on the Side franchisee. Local marketing assistance, financial performance tools and consultation, restaurant development/construction guidance, detailed operational procedures and structured team member, manager and operator training are available to all of our Franchisees. Ultimately, Sauce on the Side believes in being a world class training organization that delivers great food and service.
Start the Conversation:
If you have the passion and drive to help Sauce on the Side achieve Calzone Supremacy nationwide, we’d love to talk about it. Of course we don’t have to tell you it’s hard work – but our proven system will provide you with the tools to create success.
Submit a Franchise Inquiry
Have specific questions? Get in touch with our Franchising team at franchise@sauceontheside.com.
Great Partnerships Are Our Foundation.
We’re looking for Franchise partners who:
• Possess an entrepreneurial spirit, high energy and grit.
• Believe in community and the power of relationships with people (their team, guests and vendor partners).
• Have restaurant experience (or an undying passion for the business and a partner with relevant experience).
• Seek the Freedom of running their own business, with the discipline to follow the Framework of an established operating model.
• Have the financial resources to build and maintain a restaurant, and re-invest to fuel continued growth.
• Have proven leadership experience and the ability to build strong teams.
• Enthusiasm for the Sauce on the Side brand and our commitment to “Feed the Community, Provide the highest quality food and service and Create an atmosphere of fun and fairness”.
What is a typical size of a Sauce On The Side restaurant?
The ideal size ranges from 2,500 – 3,500 sq. ft.
What is the typical cost?
Our Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) lists a range of $365.5k – $605.5K to construct, furnish and equip the restaurant for business. This range will vary depending on existing infrastructure, square footage and region.
What are the franchise fees?
The initial Franchise Fee is $35K. In addition, the royalty fee is 5% of gross revenues, while the advertising fee is currently set at 1%.
What are the financial requirements?
You and/or the ownership group must have a minimum of $600K net worth and $200K in liquid assets.
Is there a training program?
Our training program is intended to prepare each Franchisee and/or their Operating Partner and Restaurant Managers to run a Sauce on the Side restaurant to brand standards. The program is inclusive of team member position training, shift management and general management and lasts a total of 5 weeks. Approximately one-third of the training is administrative or classroom learning, while two-thirds is on the job training. Continuing education will occur from time to time, to ensure full confidence in operating your restaurant(s).
Should I have a location selected?
It is not required to have a location selected, but it can be helpful to have familiarity with your ideal restaurant trade area(s). We strongly suggest that you work with a qualified commercial leasing agent, but highly recommend site approval prior to finalizing a lease. At which time you are interested in developing restaurant locations, we will provide a location criteria list.
Can I secure a territory?
Sauce on the Side is currently seeking Franchisees to develop and operate restaurants throughout the Midwest. While partners can secure the right to develop restaurants in certain geographic territories, each agreement will be assessed based on qualifications, financial resources and fit for the opportunity.
Am I required to be involved in operating the restaurant?
Our Franchisees should be involved in operating each restaurant in a full-time capacity. If Franchise partners or entities seek a passive investment or part time oversight, an approved and qualified Operating Partner is required to be involved in operating each restaurant in a full-time capacity.
How long does it take to open a Sauce On The Side restaurant?
Once the location has been approved by the brand, a lease can be finalized. From that point, it generally takes about 6-8 months to complete construction and open the restaurant.
What are the next steps?
To Start the Conversation about developing and operating Sauce on the Side restaurants, please complete the Franchise Inquiry Form. After submitting the form, you can expect:
- Introductory Call: If you meet our preliminary criteria, we will contact you to schedule an introductory call.
- Franchise Application: Based on the introductory call, you may be asked to submit a formal franchise application and a signed confidentiality form.
- FDD: Upon receipt of these documents, we plan to share our Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) for your full review.
- Follow Up Call: A follow up call will be scheduled to answer any questions, further explain the business and discuss available territories.
- Discovery Day: A face-to-face meeting and “Discovery Day” will be scheduled to visit our home of St. Louis, meet our team and visit our corporate restaurant locations.
- Join the Family: If both parties are aligned on moving forward in partnership to grow the Sauce on the Side brand, the appropriate documents would be drafted and signed.
Top 10 Fast Food
Restaurants in St. Louis
Riverfront Times
Best Very Casual
Restaurants
Riverfront Times, 2014
4.5 Stars
Average Yelp Rating
All of our locations are open for dine-in. View locations here!
Order Online (curbside or in-person pickup, delivery)
Be sure to call us for no-contact delivery instructions.
Call-in Your Order (curbside or in-person pickup)
Each location will have different curbside procedures.
No Contact Delivery (FREE delivery through us!)
Be sure to verbally communicate your instructions.
Buy Gift Cards!
These can be purchased online and used for future business with us.
Thank you,
Sauce on the Side