Wetzel's Pretzels vs Honey Dew Donuts Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Wetzel's Pretzels vs Honey Dew Donuts 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 Honey Dew Donuts

Dick Bowen, founder and president of Honey Dew Associates, Inc. always had a passion and taste for donuts. As a kid, he followed his dad to work at a local donut shop in West Roxbury, Massachusetts. Throughout high school he worked at several coffee and donut shops, dreaming of the day he would own his own where the local community could gather to "enjoy the local flavor."

In 1973, Dick's dream came true when he opened the first Honey Dew Donuts shop in downtown Mansfield, Massachusetts. He quickly became a local favorite, offering a friendly smile and the finest donuts and coffee around. He lived the promise "Always Fresh, Always Good" and his customers responded by coming over and over again.

Building a chain of coffee and donut shops was never a part of Dick's plan. A customer suggested bringing Honey Dew Donuts to his own local community, and in 1975, this customer became the first franchisee. Three years later Dick introduced the drive-thru concept to New England when he installed one in the Plainville, Massachusetts shop.

Over time, as the chain expanded with more franchisees and more shops, so did the menu to include mouth-watering muffins, pastries, bagels, breakfast sandwiches, gourmet flavored coffees, and frozen beverages. Today, Dick heads a thriving franchise organization that, more than 30 years after the first shop in Mansfield opened, includes over 150 shops sprinkled throughout New England. Dick is now President of Honey Dew Associates and our Franchisees follow Dick's example and are local favorites in their own communities. In fact, many of them get to know their customers so well; they can fill orders as soon as they see their cars enter the parking lot!

Honey Dew Donuts is a New England based coffee and bakery Franchise Company with over 150 locations throughout the Northeast. We are currently seeking individuals, and couples to join our 35-year young brand.