Marble Slab Creamery vs Smoothie Factory Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Marble Slab Creamery vs Smoothie Factory including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Marble Slab Creamery Franchise
Smoothie Factory Franchise
Investment $316,085 - $409,135$141,500 - $424,500
Franchise Fee $15,000 - $25,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 6%5%
Advertising Fee 2%-
Year Founded 19831996
Year Franchised 19841997
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee 20% of current fee-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Marble Slab Creamery Franchise
Smoothie Factory Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
    		•  * A 620 or higher credit score * Investment capital equal to 30% of the purchase price * $10-$15K of working capital

    Financing Options
     
    Marble Slab Creamery Franchise
    Smoothie Factory Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/Yes-/-
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
    Equipment No/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/Yes-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support
     
    Marble Slab Creamery Franchise
    Smoothie Factory Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 24.5 hours Classroom Training: 32.5 hours -
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Site Selection -
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app -
    Operations 65% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 8 - 10

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (50% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    Marble Slab Creamery Franchise
    Smoothie Factory Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    Company Overviews

    About Marble Slab Creamery

    Founded in 1983, the family-owned, Houston-based Marble Slab Creamery offers homemade, super premium ice cream that's prepared to order on a marble slab, using a variety of mix-ins. With flavors like Sweet Cream, Chocolate Swiss, Cheesecake and Amaretto, more than 100 franchisees nationwide are tempting customers with their exotic flavors served in freshly-baked waffle cones. The stores also sell smoothies, shakes, sundaes, banana splits, ice cream cakes and pies. Some franchisees even offer homemade baked goods such as cookies, brownies and apple pie, as well as gourmet coffees.

    Seeking new franchisees in the U.S., Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Central America, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Philippines, South America and Western Europe     

    Veteran Incentives  25% off first-store franchise fee
    "Top
    #116 in Canada's Top franchises.                         

    "Entrepreneur
    #311 in Franchise 500 for 2020.


    About Smoothie Factory

    Smoothie Factory - A Fresh Concept in Franchising!
    Smoothie Factory is a leader in today's growing $2 billion juice and smoothie bar industry. Founded by an Olympic athlete, Smoothie Factory meets the ever increasing demand for healthier options to traditional fast food. We believe in the simple concept of providing guests with reasonably priced smoothies, non-fat frozen yogurt and other healthy snacks served quickly in attractive, clean, pleasant surroundings every day. In addition to our great food product, our stores retail value priced dietary supplements enabling the franchisee to have multiple revenue sources under one roof. Smoothie Factory has established over 70 locations nationwide, along with international licenses in China and Vietnam, with a brand that has become recognized for excellence in service, product and value.
    Smoothie Factory Franchise Opportunity.
    Smoothie Factory's most impressive benefit, perhaps, is its desire to continually enhance its franchising system, interior design and image. The result has been a solid, unbroken track record of success, and a company poised for rapid expansion - an unparalleled blend of vision, product offerings and a franchise opportunity that's just right for forward-thinking entrepreneurs. In addition, an unwavering commitment to value on nutritional products continues to be an ingredient in our recipe for success. In fact, we sell nutritional products too, for less, every day, at 30%-50% off MSRP, making our franchise community a leader in nutritional product sales.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Smoothie Factory' Store ranges from $257,000 to $365,700. This includes the $42,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Smoothie Factory' Non-Traditional Store ranges from $141,500 to $305,000. This includes the $27,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Smoothie Factory-RED MANGO Co-Branded Traditional Store ranges from $309,000 to $424,500. This includes the $47,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Smoothie Factory' Non-Traditional Store Co-Branded with a Third-Party Concept ranges from $75,500 to $189,500. This includes the $20,000 to $27,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.