Tropik Sun Fruit & Nut vs Cookies in Bloom Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Tropik Sun Fruit & Nut vs Cookies in Bloom including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Tropik Sun Fruit & Nut Franchise
Cookies in Bloom Franchise
Investment $93,000 - $214,000$75,000 - $116,000
Franchise Fee $20,000$19,500
Royalty Fee 6%5%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19801988
Year Franchised 19801992
Term Of Agreement Varies based on lease term5 years
Term Of Agreement Varies based on lease term5 years
Renewal Fee -$1K


Business Experience Requirements

 
Tropik Sun Fruit & Nut Franchise
Cookies in Bloom Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience

  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • Creativity; customer service; people skills

  • Financing Options

     
    Tropik Sun Fruit & Nut Franchise
    Cookies in Bloom Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/No
    Equipment No/YesNo/No
    Inventory No/YesNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Tropik Sun Fruit & Nut Franchise
    Cookies in Bloom Franchise
    Training -On-the-job training at corporate-approved shop
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing -Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising
    Operations 10% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6 - 8

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (40% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 20% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 4

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Tropik Sun Fruit & Nut Franchise
    Cookies in Bloom Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Tropik Sun Fruit & Nut

    Tropik Sun began in the summer of 1980 in downtown Chicago with a basic offering of 20 varieties of nuts, 16 types of dried fruits, a dozen trail mixes, carob and yogurt-covered nuts and fruits. Today Tropik Sun has evolved to include a diversified and wide variety of "fun-munchies", gift items and thirst-quenching refreshments. Tropik Sun will likely be known as the greatest "fun-munchie" store in the history of shopping malls! Tropik Sun is proud to serve quality products that reflect the popular tastes of our ageless customers.

    About Cookies in Bloom

    Mary Pinac had been working in the wholesale apparel business and was tiring of dressing up and traveling every day. Her husband, Robert, was involved in the executive suite industry until the real estate market faltered in the late '80s. Looking for a new business they could start together, the Pinacs decided cookie gifts were the idea they wanted to pursue. In 1989, the couple founded Cookies in Bloom, a store that creates and ships bouquets and gifts made with sugar shortbread cookies. The Pinacs began franchising their concept in 1991, and now the company's franchisees operate stores in the West, Midwest and South making cookie arrangements for all holidays and occasions.