Wetzel's Pretzels vs bb's Coffee and Muffins Franchise Comparison

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

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.

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.

#497 in Franchise 500 for 2020.

About bb's Coffee and Muffins

bb’s (short for bakers & baristas) began in Australia in 1985. The first bb’s opened in the Australia Fair shopping centre in Southport, Queensland, on the Gold Coast.

When muffins began to outsell every other item at bb’s we realised we’d found our calling. And we followed it.

But what’s an oven-fresh muffin without delicious, barista-made coffee? Our baked treats just love good company (a little bit like ourselves really).

Before long we were known as bb’s coffee & muffins, and we came to the UK in 1997. After much muffin-testing and coffee-drinking, we have over 50 cafés in the UK and Ireland, and we’re still as excited as on day one.