1. What makes Ugly Mug so different from other restaurant and tavern-style franchises?

The Ugly Mug has established a fine reputation, not just in the local area, but far and wide across the nation. In fact, our name is known across the world!

We have created an atmosphere so warm and inviting that people of all ages and walks of life keep returning to savor the unique neighborly feel that Ugly Mug wraps around every visitor.

Our extensive menu offers just the right balance between up-town and down-home cooking.
2. Why Should I Buy an Ugly Mug Franchise Instead of Going Independent?

Did you realize that around 75% of all new business start-ups fail each year? On the other end of the scale, over 90% of all franchises sold are still in business over 10 years after opening their doors for business. Franchising is a Federally regulated system, so it is expected to succeed!

On the other hand, independent business owners are not confined to the same rules and regulations placed upon franchise owners. That can be an advantage, but more often, the greater risks involved in going it alone make the path to financial success much less clear and uncertain. The often lengthy and complicated process of turning a business idea into a profitable venture can prove to be seriously challenging even for the most astute entrepreneurs. With no hand to hold, no expert to guide them through each stage of setting up the business, and no one to turn to when things get tough, their new company can very often fall on hard times.

At Ugly Mug, you don’t need to start from scratch, because we’ve already done a lot of the hard work. Here’s what we already offer to our franchisees:

  • Proven business models
  • A great name that is widely recognized
  • Good systems and procedures
  • Verified recipes and techniques
  • Expertise in finding suitable store locations
  • Help in negotiating attractive leases

Franchisees know that their many questions can be addressed by an experienced Franchisor, who is ready and willing to pass along a wealth of business knowledge and to help them to develop and grow as part of the Ugly Mug team. They find it far more reassuring to become a part of a business with a proven track record and to have access to a sharp and focused Franchisor than it is to stand alone as an independent entrepreneur.
3. What Are The Advantages To Buying An Ugly Mug?

As we’ve said before, The Ugly Mug’s reputation extends far beyond even the United States into other parts of the world. One of the main reasons for achieving such extraordinarily widespread success is our continued total dedication to our goals. We look upon these goals as the key ingredients that make up the winning Ugly Mug recipe, and we consider them absolutely necessary for all our Franchisees to follow.

We never forget that hospitality IS our business Our guests should feel like we are their second home, a place where they can feel comfortable and welcomed.\

We maintain quality and consistency Though we are not a highly priced fancy restaurant, our menu items are chosen and prepared with such attention to detail that clients keep coming back to enjoy a great meal at a great price. Clients can trust our quality and consistency.

We never forget the bottom line Though this business can be an extremely enjoyable and rewarding one, it requires unwavering attention to vital factors such as cost of goods and expenses in order to stay on a successful track.

We want to build on our success by allowing other serious entrepreneurs to join with us in bringing the Ugly Mug’s potential to even greater heights. What greater advantage could there be than joining a business that is not only successful, but comes complete with a worldwide reputation!

Franchisees benefit from the wealth of information that we have gained through decades of business ownership. Over many years of trial and error, we have made the changes necessary to improve our systems and operation to make it easily replicable and franchisable. Our franchisees enjoy the guidance of the franchisor right from stage one through to their store’s grand opening. In addition, even after opening their doors, we provide on going support to our franchisees so they can overcome or altogether avoid the problems that many independent businesses can experience.

Our systems and procedures are easily replicable, making the process that much easier for franchisees who wish to open a store in more than one location.

Ugly Mug already has developed relationships with vendors to negotiate great buying power of their products and services. Our franchisees receive the benefits of these savings, thus enabling their store’s operation to be even more profitable.
4. What is Ugly Mug’s Competitive Appeal?
  • A committed franchisor
  • Less competition
  • Generous territories
  • Multiple profit streams
  • Superior proven quality food
  • 100% guaranteed customer service
  • Branding opportunities
  • No requirement to commit to multiple units
  • Choice of franchises: restaurant only or restaurant and bar
  • Pre- and post-opening training
5. What Kind of Training/Support Does Ugly Mug Offer to Franchisees?
Before you open your doors, we will provide: License to use company trademark Training for you and the key people in your organization Site selection assistance Store design and layout assistance Store signs Marketing assistance On-site support during store opening Extremely detailed Operations Manual After you have opened your doors, we will provide: Consultation support Ongoing visits and quality assurance inspections Inventory and labor costs recommendations Approved inventory suppliers Public relations support Ongoing research and development
6.Can I Afford An Ugly Mug?
Having put an enormous amount of time, effort and money into our business, it is vitally important to us that we team up with only the most seriously interested, financially qualified and success-focused entrepreneurs. If you are considering an Ugly Mug franchise, then we urge you to take the time to properly investigate whether or not your personal situation will allow for the financial requirements of this program. Enthusiasm and dedication are great qualities for a potential business owner to possess, but without adequate funding, even the best intentions can fail to reach fruition, causing financial hardship for years to come. Here are the fees that apply to Ugly Mug franchisees: Initial Franchise Fee is a ONE TIME ONLY fee you are charged to become a franchisee. Ugly Mug Initial Franchise Fee is $25,000 for the restaurant franchise and $40,000 for the bar and restaurant franchise---. See our Investment Page. [Jonathan, this page is not ready yet] A weekly continuing Royalty Fee of ---% of gross sales. [Jonathan – yet to be clarified] A weekly continuing Advertising Fee of 3% of gross sales. At this time, we are encouraging our franchisees to direct and control their own advertising efforts, so no advertising fee is currently being collected.
7. Does Ugly Mug Help With Financing?
Ugly Mug has the resources to help a qualified buyer procure a loan for the purchase of their business. Our highly skilled Franchise Consultants are ready to help you thoroughly understand, carefully assess, and effectively pick the best financing program for your specific needs and situation. We’ll help walk you through the often demanding financing procedures, and do our very best to help you successfully secure all the monetary resources necessary to own and operate your own Ugly Mug Franchise.
8. What Are My Chances for Success With Ugly Mug?
We have invested an enormous amount of time, energy and money into this business and while we cannot guarantee the success of any franchise, we strongly believe that we have created a tremendous opportunity for an extremely rewarding franchise experience.
9. What Makes An Ideal Ugly Mug Franchisee?
Since Ugly Mug is a guest-oriented establishment, we are looking for franchisees who understand why customer service has to be a key concern. In this customer service driven business, our franchisees should have the personality and charisma both to positively motivate employees and to cultivate a loyal and growing customer base. There are many idealists who dream of owning a restaurant, but it takes a whole lot more to turn a dream into reality. Ugly Mug franchisees will be realists too – fully aware of the hard work and dedication involved and fully prepared to put into their business a total commitment to turning ideals into achievable reality.
10. How Do I Find Out If Ugly Mug Is The Best Franchise For Me?
Ugly Mug goes to great lengths to make sure that this is the right franchise for prospective buyers. The best way to learn everything you need to know about Ugly Mug in order to make a fully informed decision that’s right for you and your unique situation is to simply fill out our Franchise Information Request Form.
11. What Happens Next After I Submit The Form?
Ugly Mug will review the form and promptly contact you in order to answer your questions and provide detailed additional information about this exceptional opportunity. We believe you should be properly informed by a personal phone call, not at some seminar for the masses held at a local hotel. During our phone call, we can set up a free, no-obligation meeting at your convenience for you to learn more about their many franchise services and attractive benefits.