Wetzel's Pretzels vs Paradise Bakery & Cafe Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Wetzel's Pretzels Franchise
Paradise Bakery & Cafe Franchise
Investment $126,600 - $405,850$480,000 - $1,205,000
Franchise Fee $35,000$40,000
Royalty Fee 7%5%
Advertising Fee 1%-
Year Founded 1994-
Year Franchised 1996-
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Wetzel's Pretzels Franchise
Paradise Bakery & Cafe Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • * Prior experience as a successful multi-unit restaurant owner/operator;

    * Strong leadership and management skills with a minimum of 5 years in the restaurant industry;

    * Minimum net worth of $2.5 million with sufficient cash liquidity and financial resources to open and operate a minimum of 5 locations over the next 2-3 years, Paradise Bakery does not sell single-unit franchises;

    * Entrepreneurial management style that will thrive within the operational guidelines set forth in the Paradise Bakery & Cafe �Ideal Scene�;

    * And you must possess a passion for �great people serving great food�!


    Financing Options

     
    Wetzel's Pretzels Franchise
    Paradise Bakery & Cafe Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/Yes-/-
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
    Equipment Yes/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/Yes-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Wetzel's Pretzels Franchise
    Paradise Bakery & Cafe Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours -
    Support Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform -
    Marketing Ad Templates Social media SEO Email marketing 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
    Paradise Bakery & Cafe Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    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 Paradise Bakery & Cafe

    While the "fast casual" bakery/cafe concept has gained popularity with consumers, developers and investors in recent years, Paradise Bakery & Cafe was one of the pioneers in this segment of the restaurant industry. Since its founding in 1976, the Company has followed a conservative growth strategy, choosing to establish its brand and reputation in the industry before expanding its presence. We have had significant interest in franchising opportunities as Paradise has successful street, downtown, resort, airport and mall locations. We are presently looking to franchise on a very limited basis, and only in certain key geographic markets. For those markets, we are looking for established multi-unit operators to join our passion driven culture as franchisees and make a commitment to high quality, delicious, freshly prepared food served with exceptional customer service in a warm and inviting atmosphere.