Loyalty to Quality
Groucho’s is known for the right blend of quality food, a comfortable atmosphere, and support for the community. Our culture of giving back to the community began in 1941 with Harold "Groucho" Miller building trust with each guest, one sandwich at a time. Loyalty grew as patrons sat on pickle barrels when the dining room was full, treating everyone as an equal and remembering a person by name or the sandwich they often ordered. Groucho chose Quality in the products he sold, the many charities he helped, and the relationships he made.
Groucho’s dedication to loyalty and quality is just as relevant today. We focus on creating a quality experience from start to finish to generate and instill customer loyalty. Our dedication to quality and support is unparalleled in any other restaurant franchise.
To this day, we honor and repeat our founding philosophy: “Quality is the most important ingredient in a sandwich.” We uphold this tradition with each generation, serving only the highest-quality products and ingredients. In turn, Groucho’s® Deli sits at legendary status for 85+ years of excellence.
Strong Investment, Strong Opportunity
Each Groucho’s Deli location is independently owned and operated. There is no formula to predict the profitability of your location. However, we can proudly share that some of our franchisees have done very well for themselves. Groucho’s first franchise owners were passionate customers and staff with a desire to bring Groucho’s culture to their own neighborhoods. Dedicated investment and sweat equity gives our franchisees a chance to start a legacy in their community, and many of our operators hope to keep their franchise in their own families for generations to come in true Miller fashion.
We envision all of our franchisees achieving financial independence. We even offer a wide variety of support, technology, and resources from the home office to build a strong infrastructure that helps Groucho's franchisees' likelihood of success. Ultimately, our successful Groucho’s locations have active, involved, caring, and apt operators behind the wheel on a daily basis.
History of Expansion
From the 1940s through the 1960s, Groucho’s® Deli established its brand and reputation by serving high-quality meats and cheeses, famous sandwich dressings, and their original potato salad and coleslaw. Groucho’s began serving its innovative “Dipper”™ style subs with original sauces and large salads in the 1960s. The Apollo Dipper™ was named after the likeness of the Apollo space capsule and advertised as landing in a cup of 45 Sauce. The seating area became larger once the retail shop was phased out in the 1980s.
Groucho’s started franchising in 2000 with its first franchise in Lexington, South Carolina. Before considering additional locations, Groucho’s had to ensure that the quality products, coveted recipes, and customer experience would be consistent. Through exclusive distributor partnerships and extensive on-site training, Groucho’s owner/operators can execute the same standards year after year.
Groucho’s® has grown into multiple cities across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. Each Groucho’s location is empowered to be “Your Neighborhood Deli.” Our guest experience and each location should be unique to their community.
Franchise Markets
Groucho's Deli is currently franchising locations across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. We carefully scale our brand based on proximity to our legacy market to ensure excellent support, guarantee standards compliance, and increase the likelihood of success. We are currently accepting inquiries from individuals looking to franchise within a 300-mile radius, including Tennessee and Florida.
Meet Franchisee: Nick Basile
I was 13 and new to Columbia when I met Max Miller (great-grandson of Harold "Groucho" Miller) at school. I was looking for buddies, and I was thrilled to find out Max lived on the same street as me. Our friendship grew, and when it was time for me to get my first job, Max suggested I work for his family’s business: Groucho’s Deli. I started at the Five Points location and worked my way up the ranks, eventually becoming a manager while I was a student at the University of South Carolina. I was pursuing a degree in finance and had always been interested in business, and that’s when Max and I had a grand idea: move to Charleston, use our deli knowledge to open our own franchise locations, and continue his family’s legacy. I’ve been lucky to get so much experience in the deli world at a young age. What I’m most proud of is the Southern hospitality that Groucho’s is known for. Whether you’re stopping in for a fat dipper or a fresh salad, you’ll always be greeted with a smile. That’s what separates us from the competition. When I’m not at the deli, you might find me on a film set. I’m also an actor, represented in Atlanta and Los Angeles. It’s a passion I discovered later in life, and it brings me great joy. From a 13-year-old kid looking for a friend to opening my own Groucho’s with that same friend, it’s been quite a ride.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the financial qualifications to open a Groucho’s® Franchise?
A minimum credit score of 720 along with a minimum net worth of $350,000.00. Included in your net worth, you need to have a minimum of $150,000.00 in liquid assets which you can use to invest in your franchise opportunity. Financing is to be obtained through third-party lending sources. Groucho’s® does not offer financing.
How much are the Franchise fees and Royalties?
The current Franchise fee is $28,000.00 (per unit), payable with the execution of a Franchise Agreement. There is a continuing royalty of 6.00% of your gross sales paid monthly.
Groucho’s® does not currently require an advertising or marketing royalty. Franchisees can elect into marketing services from the home office OR procure marketing within their immediate community. Either way, we urge you to spend your marketing budget in your immediate communities. (Groucho’s® must approve advertising).
How much does it cost to open a Groucho’s® Franchise?
The current aggregate investment ranges between $97,989 - $578,880. Many factors determine your final investment, such as local market conditions, size, and condition of space, permitting, cost of construction, deposits, etc.… This range typically covers all potential costs: Franchise fee, construction cost, architecture, furniture and equipment, opening food order, and line of credit or cash for capital support. Please see the table below for additional details.
Franchise Inquiry
Are you ready to take the next steps in learning about owning and operating a Groucho's Deli Franchise? Please fill out this preliminary inquiry form to initiate contact. We look forward to speaking with you soon.
*Note: This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or to solicit an offer to purchase a franchise. It is for informational purposes only. An offer to sell a franchise is only made in conjunction with the delivery to you of a Federal Disclosure Document. In addition, certain states have laws regulating the sale of franchises and require franchisors to register in such states or meet other legal requirements, prior to offering franchises for sale. If you are a resident of one of these states, we may not offer you a franchise unless and until we have complied with your state’s applicable pre-sale registration and disclosure requirements. Please call us for information on our ability to sell franchises in your state.
All information contained herein is subject to revision, to validate this information please refer to Groucho’s Franchise Systems, LLC current Franchise Disclosure Document.