Frequently Asked Questions

What is the process to become an American Deli franchisee?
Step 1: Request Franchising Information and Review
• Submit the Franchise Information Request Form.
• After reviewing, an American Deli representative will contact you.
• American Deli representative will send you the Franchisee Application.


Step 2: Begin the Application Process
• Complete the Franchisee Application.
• Submit the application to ADI with the required supporting documents.
• ADI will review the application, franchisees business plan, and set up interview.
• Background and credit history checks will be run.
• ADI will provide our FDD and NDA.
• Review the FDD, and sign and return the FDD and NDA to ADI.

Step 3: Approval and Site Selection
• ADI will approve the Franchisee Application based on various factors.
• Provide required site information to ADI for approval.
• Site selection may occur prior to approval or after execution of the Franchise Agreement.

Step 4: Franchise Agreement
• Confirm and sign the Franchise Agreement.
• Pay the Initial Franchise Fee.

Step 5: Construction and Training
• ADI will work with Franchisee to begin construction for the new site.
• ADI will arrange training with the Franchisee.

Step 6: Opening

How much is the affiliation fee?
The franchisee shall pay the affiliation fee when the Franchise Agreement is signed with American Deli. This fee covers the rights to use the brand and intellectual property rights, marketing support, and education/training services.  The fee is $10,000.

How much is the royalty fee?
The franchise fee for an American Deli franchise is 3% of monthly gross sales.  The royalty fee is for using the brand title trademark, service chart, emblem, etc.

How much does it cost to open an American Deli franchise?
Opening an American Deli franchise will cost an initial estimated investment of $236,500 to $338,000, on average. Costs will vary based on a number of factors, and more detailed information can be found in our Franchise Disclosure Document.

What are the financial requirements to become a Franchisee?
For each American Deli franchise a candidate wishes to open, they must have a minimum net worth of $300,000 and at least $150,000 in liquid assets.

What kind of training does American Deli provide for its franchise owners and employees?
American Deli provides comprehensive training in our system, service, sanitation and food preparation. We bring this training to you - right in your own store.  This is the training required by American Deli International, Inc.  As a franchisee, you can take additional training courses, for an extra fee.

What happens after an American Deli grand opening?
Our corporate office develops new menus and hosts periodic events.  Our franchise consultants will review the new franchisee's revenue analysis.  Our corporate office will provide all of the marketing promotion, training and benchmarking required to help our franchisee become successful.

 How many employees will I need to operate my store?
In a 1,200 sq ft. store, you'll need about 3 employees.  The number will vary with the size of the store.

How long does it take to go from signing the Franchise Agreement to grand opening?
While the time to open a store varies, it takes approximately 60 days from construction to grand opening.

Can beginners make everything on your menu without the help of an experienced chef?
Yes.  We will provide all the training you need to successfully prepare everything.

How often does American Deli develop new menu items?
We develop a new menu at least once a year, to appeal to our customers and help drive sales for our franchisees.