Wetzel's Pretzels vs Le Macaron French Pastries Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Wetzel's Pretzels vs Le Macaron French Pastries including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Wetzel's Pretzels Franchise
Le Macaron French Pastries Franchise
Investment $126,600 - $405,850$131,500 - $361,500
Franchise Fee $35,000$45,000
Royalty Fee 7%6%
Advertising Fee 1%0.5%
Year Founded 19942009
Year Franchised 19962012
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee -$7000


Business Experience Requirements

 
Wetzel's Pretzels Franchise
Le Macaron French Pastries Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Wetzel's Pretzels Franchise
    Le Macaron French Pastries Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment Yes/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/Yes
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Wetzel's Pretzels Franchise
    Le Macaron French Pastries Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours On-The-Job Training: 24 hours
    Support Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection
    Marketing Ad Templates Social media SEO Email marketing Loyalty program/app Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Loyalty program/app
    Operations 20% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10

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

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    Wetzel's Pretzels Franchise
    Le Macaron French Pastries Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Wetzel's Pretzels

    Wetzel's Pretzels founded by Rick Wetzel & Bill Phelps, former marketing executives in 1994. 1st Wetzel's Pretzels located in South Bay Galleria in Southern California. First store was opened in 1995 Century City, Hollywood.
    In 1996 Wetzel's Pretzels began franchising. Currently they have locations across United States (Universal City, Staples Center, Dodgers Stadium, Disneyland, Disney world) & internationally. Currently co-branding relationship with Cold Stone Creamery, Swensen's, Juice It Up and more.
    Beginning of 2016 Wetzel's franchise fast food restaurants had 298 locations out of them 269 US locations; 2 in Canada; 19 worldwide; and 8 owned by the company itself.

    Popular products:
    Pretzels, consisting of several different flavors
    Frozen Lemonade, sold in a variety of flavors.
    Frozen Granita, a frozen version of the Italian dessert
     
    The franchisor offers 3 franchise programs:
    1. A single Wetzel's Pretzels Bakery. The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Wetzel's Pretzels Bakery ranges from $164,950 to $405,850. This includes approximately between $42,350 and $50,750 that must be paid to the franchisor. If Wetzel's Pretzels grants you a license to operate a Remote Mobile Unit under a Remote Mobile Unit Addendum to your Franchise Agreement, you will also pay it a fee of $5,000 for a Remote Mobile Unit.
    2. Multiple Wetzel's Pretzels Bakeries within a defined area pursuant to a Multi-Unit Development Agreement. There is an initial development fee of $15,000 multiplied by the number of Bakeries which you must open, plus the balance of the initial franchise fee ($20,000) for your first Franchise Agreement. You will pay an initial franchise fee of $35,000 for each Bakery ($22,500 for a second Bakery in the same mall). However, the franchisor will credit the development fee against the initial franchise fees (at the rate of $15,000 for the second and each subsequent Franchise Agreement).
    3. A single Wetzel's Pretzels Concession Truck or Trailer. The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Wetzel's Pretzels Concession Truck or Trailer ranges from $126,600 to $275,850. This includes approximately between $9,000 and $14,750 that must be paid to the franchisor.
    "Entrepreneur
    #497 in Franchise 500 for 2020.








    About Le Macaron French Pastries

    Say "Oui" to an Exceptional Opportunity & Discover our simple, niche concept with limited direct competition. Our true French macarons are the perfect delicacy, original and elegant; French gelato, French pastries, European style beverages and more!

    You will receive the best in support from the moment you begin your discovery, to your pastry shop opening and beyond. It is our mission to provide you with the highest quality products, training, support tools, marketing and more while avoiding the many costs and headaches that often come with running a full-service restaurant or similar business.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a traditional Le Macaron French Pastries pastry shop or permanent kiosk ranges from $131,500 to $361,500.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a mobile kiosk ranges from $84,350 to $147,000. This includes $74,500 to $126,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate. If you elect to develop three Pastry Shops under our multi-unit development program, then you will sign our area development agreement and pay us a development fee equal to $99,000.
    Veteran Incentives  20% off franchise fee