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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Dippin' Dots vs Mr. Smoothie including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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Investment | $112,204 - $366,950 | $87,650 - $377,400 |
Franchise Fee | $15,000 | $20,000 |
Royalty Fee | Varies | 5% |
Advertising Fee | Varies | to 2% |
Year Founded | 1988 | 1993 |
Year Franchised | 2000 | 2001 |
Term Of Agreement | 5 years | 10 years |
Term Of Agreement | 5 years | 10 years |
Renewal Fee | Varies | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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Experience | - | |
Financing Options |
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In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
Franchise Fees | No/No | No/No |
Start-up Costs | No/No | No/No |
Equipment | No/No | No/No |
Inventory | No/No | No/No |
Receivables | No/No | No/No |
Payroll | No/No | No/No |
Training & Support |
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Training | On-The-Job Training: 12 hours Classroom Training: 19 hours | - |
Support | Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform | Newsletter, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives |
Marketing | Ad Templates Social media SEO Website development Email marketing | Ad slicks |
Operations |
95% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3 Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
50% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 4 - 6
Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (50% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
Expansion Plans |
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US Expansion | Yes | Yes |
Canada Expansion | No | No |
International Expansion | Yes | Yes |
Research biotechnologist Curt Jones used his expertise in cryogenic freezing processes to find new ways to produce ice cream. After nearly a year of experimenting with the idea of flash-freezing his family's homemade ice cream, Jones created and sold his first cups of Dippin' Dots ice cream in 1988. Because of Jones' flash-freezing process, Dippin' Dots ice cream forms into little balls (hence the term 'dots'), but unlike freeze-dried products, the ice cream can still melt.
Seeking new franchise units Worldwide.