bannerBuying a Franchise

Franchise Deep Dive: Sauce on the Side Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

Sauce on the Side is a unique fast-casual restaurant franchise known for its indulgent, hand-crafted calzones, salads and desserts.

LAST UPDATED: September 2024
FRANCHISE WEBSITE: https://sauceontheside.com/franchise/
NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 10
REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $414,000 - $704,500
REPORTED ROI (Item 19): $1,180,099 AUV in 2022

Sauce on the Side was founded with a mission to deliver fresh, high-quality food and exceptional service. With a menu centered around calzones made from scratch daily, Sauce on the Side has set itself apart in the fast-casual dining segment.

How Many Sauce on the Side Locations Are There?

Sauce on the Side first opened in 2012 in the heart of downtown St. Louis, started by founders Ryan MangialardoBrendon Maciariello and Dan Porzel. And how did they come up with the whole calzone concept?

“It’s because of Seinfeld,” Porzel told RFT. “My business partner Ryan [Mangialardo] was watching the calzone episode where George gets the calzones for Steinbrenner, and he called our other partner Brendon [Maciariello] and said, ‘Hey man, we should do calzones.’”


After opening 10 restaurant locations in their first decade of operation, the brand has launched a franchise opportunity and anticipates continued growth throughout the Midwest. 

What Is Sauce on the Side’s Business Model?

Sauce on the Side operates on a fast-casual business model with a twist. While guests order at the counter, they enjoy a full-service experience with food delivered to their table, refills provided and leftovers boxed up by the staff. 

The franchise is designed to thrive in various conditions, offering multiple dining options including in-house dining, takeout, curbside pickup and delivery (both in-house and third-party). This flexibility has positioned Sauce on the Side to succeed even in challenging market conditions, with a significant portion of revenue coming from off-premise channels.

How Much Can Sauce on the Side Franchise Owners Make?

Sauce on the Side reported an average unit volume of $1,180,099 in 2022, with top-performing units reaching an average unit volume of $1,613,302. The average EBITDA for affiliate-owned locations was 13.8% in 2022, highlighting the brand’s strong financial performance.

How Much Does It Cost to Open a Sauce on the Side Franchise?

The specific costs associated with opening a Sauce on the Side range from $414,000 to $704,500.

What Is the Franchise Fee for Sauce on the Side?

The franchise fee required for Sauce on the Side is $35,000. Owners also need to spend 5% of gross revenue on a Royalty Fee and 1% of gross revenue on an Advertising Fee.

Who’s On Sauce on the Side’s Leadership Team?

What Helpful Articles Can I Read to Learn More About Sauce on the Side?

Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our Power Rankings to read more on brands making moves. 

Check out these three 1851 brands:

Pollo Campero*

Melting Pot

Modern Market Eatery

Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey.

Disclaimer: This content is for information only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained on this site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction. 

All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information in the email constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.

*This brand is a paid partner of 1851 Franchise. For more information on paid partnerships please click here.

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS

iconBuy A Franchise