Cinnabon vs Great Harvest Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Cinnabon vs Great Harvest including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Cinnabon Franchise
Great Harvest Franchise
Investment $23,100 - $430,900$69,613 - $704,873
Franchise Fee $30,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 6%5%
Advertising Fee 1.5%2.5%
Year Founded 19691976
Year Franchised 19861978
Term Of Agreement 10-20 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10-20 years10 years
Renewal Fee 50% of current franchise fee-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Cinnabon Franchise
Great Harvest Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills "Passion and enthusiasm in being a small business owner, and having the go-getter mentality… You've got to like people to do business at Cinnabon." - Mark Hong, director of franchise development

  • General business experience
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Cinnabon Franchise
    Great Harvest Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/No
    Receivables No/YesNo/No
    Payroll No/YesNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Cinnabon Franchise
    Great Harvest Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours Additional Training: Additional training annually On-The-Job Training: 120 hours Classroom Training: 120 hours Additional Training: When necessary
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet PlatformMeetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/appAd Templates Regional Advertising Social media Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 100% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 8 - 10

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

    		 10% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 5 - 7

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Cinnabon Franchise
    Great Harvest Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Cinnabon

    Since 1969, malls throughout the world have been filled with the scent of Cinnabon. Each bakery serves fresh and prepackaged cinnamon rolls, Pecanbons (cinnamon rolls topped with pecans and caramel frosting), coffees and other drinks.
    If success was a freshly baked treat, it would be Cinnabon®.
    • Super sweet average net sales of $861,481 for the top quartile of franchise owners*
    • A global, iconic brand with enviable brand awareness and strong affinity with Millennials and Gen Z
    • A category leader that dominates the sweet treat segment
    • The strong support and tools of FOCUS Brands®
    Become a Cinnabon® franchise owner, and learn what it means to be the most popular kid on the block! Our one-of-a-kind, insanely craveable baked goods and specialty beverages have made Cinnabon® a world-class brand with world-class economics.
    Cinnabon® owns the cinnamon roll category, and we’re looking for people to grow our legacy and “bake” good on the promise that is our brand.


    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Full Bakery franchise ranges from $214,050 to $430,900 in a Traditional Location and from $122,500 to $419,200 in a Non-Traditional Location. This includes $30,000 to $30,400 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of an Express Bakery ranges from $23,100 to $43,500 in a new Schlotzsky’s® restaurant and from $59,000 to $155,750 in any other location. This includes $7,500 to $7,900 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.
    The total estimated investment necessary to begin operation of a Concession Bakery ranges between $110,000 and $244,600. This includes $5,000 to $5,400 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.
    Veteran Incentives  $5,000 off franchise fee
    "World     "Entrepreneur
    #53 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #35 in Franchise 500 for 2021.




    About Great Harvest

    Pete Wakeman had been baking bread most of his life. As a child, he would help his aunt. In high school, he baked for his friends. During summer vacations, he sold bread from the roadside. In 1976, when Wakeman heard about a bakery in Great Falls, Montana, that was going under, he bought it. With the help of his wife, Laura, Wakeman established the Great Harvest Bread Co. and set about baking loaves for people in the Great Falls community. Soon, people from neighboring communities starting asking about setting up their own Great Harvest locations. The first franchise opened in Kalispell, Montana. In 1983, the Wakemans converted their Great Falls bakery into a franchise and moved company headquarters to Dillon, Montana, so they could concentrate on the franchising end of their business. Great Harvest bakeries serve a variety of breads each day including honey whole wheat, white cheddar garlic, sunflower and cranberry orange.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Great Harvest bakery cafe franchise in a “Hub” location is $144,100 to $704,873. This includes $35,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Great Harvest bakery cafe franchise in a “Spoke” location is $69,613 to $447,536. This includes $15,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate.
    If you want development rights, you must pay the franchisor a development fee equal to the full initial franchise fee for the first bakery cafe ($35,000) plus a deposit of $7,500 (of the $15,000 initial franchise fee) for each additional bakery cafe you agree to develop. The total investment necessary to begin operation if you acquire development rights is $151,600 to $712,373. This includes $42,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate.
    Veteran Incentives  15% off franchise fee
    "franchiserankingscom"
    #4 on Franchise Rankings.com