Marble Slab Creamery vs sweetFrog Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Marble Slab Creamery Franchise
sweetFrog Franchise
Investment $316,085 - $409,135$95,600 - $477,500
Franchise Fee $15,000 - $25,000$15,000 - $30,000
Royalty Fee 6%5%
Advertising Fee 2%1.5%
Year Founded 19832009
Year Franchised 19842012
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee 20% of current fee-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Marble Slab Creamery Franchise
sweetFrog Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
    		• -

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

    Training & Support
     
    Marble Slab Creamery Franchise
    sweetFrog Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 24.5 hours Classroom Training: 32.5 hours On-The-Job Training: 24 hours Classroom Training: 24 hours Additional Training: As needed
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Site Selection Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app 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)

    50% of all franchisees own more than one unit.

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2 - 4.

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


    Expansion Plans
     
    Marble Slab Creamery Franchise
    sweetFrog Franchise
    US Expansion YesNo
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    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 sweetFrog

    Shortly after moving to Richmond, Virginia, in 2009, Derek Cha brought the West-Coast frozen yogurt trend to his new home by opening the first sweetFrog store. In addition to a variety of frozen yogurt flavors and toppings, sweetFrog locations offer waffle cones and bowls, Belgian waffles, banana splits and parfaits.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a sweetFrog Shop is $231,500 - $477,500 for a Shop in Traditional Venue, $95,600 - $304,000 for a Kiosk Shop or Standard Floor Plan Shop in Non-Traditional Venue and $122,400 - $219,300 for a Truck.

    #23 on Entrepreneur's ranking of the top 150 franchises offering incentives and other programs to help veterans become franchisees

    Seeking new franchise units throughout the U.S., Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Central America, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Mexico, Philippines, South America and Western Europe    
    Veteran Incentives  25% off franchise fee (50% off in May and November)