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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 |
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Investment | $93,000 - $214,000 | $75,000 - $116,000 |
Franchise Fee | $20,000 | $19,500 |
Royalty Fee | 6% | 5% |
Advertising Fee | - | - |
Year Founded | 1980 | 1988 |
Year Franchised | 1980 | 1992 |
Term Of Agreement | Varies based on lease term | 5 years |
Term Of Agreement | Varies based on lease term | 5 years |
Renewal Fee | - | $1K |
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/Yes | No/No |
Start-up Costs | No/Yes | No/No |
Equipment | No/Yes | No/No |
Inventory | No/Yes | No/No |
Receivables | No/No | No/No |
Payroll | No/No | No/No |
Training & Support |
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Training | - | On-the-job training at corporate-approved shop |
Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives | Newsletter, 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 |
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US Expansion | Yes | Yes |
Canada Expansion | No | No |
International Expansion | Yes | Yes |
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.
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.