Sweet Nel's vs Carvel Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Sweet Nel's vs Carvel including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Sweet Nel's Franchise
Carvel Franchise
Investment $354,000 - $539,000$250,600 - $415,500
Franchise Fee $35,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 5%$2.44/gal.
Advertising Fee 2%$2.13/gallon
Year Founded 20151934
Year Franchised 20151947
Term Of Agreement -20 years
Term Of Agreement -20 years
Renewal Fee -Then current fee


Business Experience Requirements
 
Sweet Nel's Franchise
Carvel Franchise
Experience -
  • General business experience
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Sweet Nel's Franchise
    Carvel Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/Yes
    Equipment No/NoNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Sweet Nel's Franchise
    Carvel Franchise
    Training 2 weeks of intensive training from the most basic of shop functions to the most comprehensive management techniques necessary to run the Sweet Nel's business. Training is ongoing for both you and your employees.-
    Support A Sweet Nel's consultant will guide you through every phase of development and, eventually, to help you open your shop. After shop construction, and for the 2-weeks prior to grand opening, we will assist in setting up your Sweet Nel's Shop. Sweet Nel's franchisees are provided with a Field Service Consultant on-call to answer questions and to provide support. They will visit on a regular basis and have an in-depth meeting about how things are going and to offer suggestions and evaluations.Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing We support you with the tools you need to take advantage of promotional opportunities and create new programs on an ongoing basis.Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising
    Operations We do not allow multiple shop ownership at this time. International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 25% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Sweet Nel's Franchise
    Carvel Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About Sweet Nel's

    We are developing a small, limited number of "Sweet Nel's" franchises in the Philadelphia area. Although we could open more, it is our philosophy to open fewer cafes and locate them in very high profile, magnet locations in and around Philadelphia. Franchisees are extensively screened, exhaustively trained and provided with an exceptional degree of guidance and support from the Sweet Nel's franchise organization.

    About Carvel

    In 1934 Tom Carvel opened his first ice cream shop in Hartsdale, New York. Over the years, he developed formulas and equipment for creating and serving his ice cream. The company started franchising in 1947, and by 1951 had opened 100 stores. Today the company distributes its line of ice cream, cakes, pies and other treats in its own locations and in stadiums, club stores and supermarkets.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Shoppe selling a full range of Carvel® products (a “Full Shoppe”) ranges from $250,600 to $415,500. This includes $30,000 to $32,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Shoppe selling selected Carvel® products (an “Express Shoppe”) ranges from $39,600 to $148,400.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of an Express Shoppe within the space of another restaurant, food service facility, or business approved by the franchisor (a “Hosted Express Shoppe”) ranges from $33,100 to $66,500. These total investment estimates for Express Shoppes and Hosted Express Shoppes include $10,000 to $12,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Shoppe in an ice cream truck (an “Ice Cream Truck”) is $95,050 to $195,000. This includes $5,000 to $7,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.

    "Entrepreneur
    #361 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #273 in Franchise 500 for 2021.