Happy Joe's vs Swirls and Twirls Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Happy Joe's vs Swirls and Twirls including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
| Investment |
$24,470 - $1,030,625 | $335,000 - $664,750 |
| Franchise Fee |
$15,000 - $17,000 | $30,000 |
| Royalty Fee |
4.5%-5% | 6% |
| Advertising Fee |
1.5% | - |
| Year Founded |
1972 | 2011 |
| Year Franchised |
1973 | 2012 |
| Term Of Agreement |
15 years | - |
| Term Of Agreement |
15 years | - |
| Renewal Fee |
10% of fee or $2K | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
| Experience |
General business experience | We are looking for highly self-motivated business minded people searching for independent ownership. We look for franchisees that are outgoing and dedicated to building connections within the community. Our franchisees must also be financially qualified. We have multi-unit opportunities available for those who fulfill specific qualifications. |
Financing Options |
| |
In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party |
| Franchise Fees |
No/Yes | -/- |
| Start-up Costs |
No/Yes | -/- |
| Equipment |
No/Yes | -/- |
| Inventory |
No/Yes | -/- |
| Receivables |
No/Yes | -/- |
| Payroll |
No/Yes | -/- |
Training & Support |
| Training |
On-The-Job Training: 300 hours
Classroom Training: 40 hours
| You will receive 10 days of training at our location in West Islip, New York covering Swirls and Twirls Systems
and Procedures, Food Safety, Customer Service, Finance, Administrative procedures and Local Store Marketing. |
| Support |
Purchasing Co-ops
Newsletter
Meetings/Conventions
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security/Safety Procedures
Field Operations
Site Selection
Proprietary Software
| Swirls and Twirls provides its franchisees with support from site selection approvals to store opening assistance,
training, ongoing consultation, marketing programs and materials, new products and more. |
| Marketing |
Co-op Advertising
Ad Templates
Regional Advertising
Social media
Website development
Email marketing
Loyalty program/app | - |
| Operations |
33% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 45
Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) | - |
Expansion Plans |
| US Expansion |
Yes | Yes |
| Canada Expansion |
No | - |
| International Expansion |
Yes | - |
Company Overviews
About Happy Joe's
Lawrence Joseph Whitty had worked in the bakery business for years before becoming an assistant manager at a Shakey's pizzeria. He decided to combine his baking skills with the experience he had gained from working at a pizza restaurant, where he would often hear families decide to go out for ice cream for dessert. Combining pizza and ice cream, Whitty opened the first Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream Parlor in East Davenport, Iowa, in 1972. His signature item was the Happy Joe's Special, a pizza with Canadian bacon and sauerkraut that Whitty created from leftovers in his mother's kitchen. After a franchisee suggested adding tacos to the menu, Whitty created the restaurant's best-selling product, the Taco Pizza.
Seeking new franchisees in the following regions/states:
Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota and Wisconsin
The total investment necessary to begin operations of a Happy Joe’s Full
Size Restaurant or Happy Joe’s PizzaGrille Restaurant is $279,750 to
$1,030,625. This includes $0 to $16,500 that must be paid to the
franchisor or an affiliate.
The total investment necessary to begin
operations of a Happy Joe’s DELCO Facility is $164,500 to $423,000. This
includes the $0 to $16,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or an
affiliate.
The total investment to begin operations of a Happy Joe’s
Satellite ranges from $24,470 to $132,340. This includes the $0 to
$16,500 paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.
The total investment necessary to begin operations of a Happy Joe’s Area
Developer business ranges from $17,625 to $94,100. This includes the
development fee ranging from $15,000 to $45,000 that must be paid to the
franchisor.
About Swirls and Twirls
Swirls and Twirls was created to be the ultimate healthy indulgence and the most innovative self-serve frozen yogurt experience out there. We are all about promoting creative expression - in all forms.
Every Swirls and Twirls Franchise is:
Fun, simple, highly scalable
Unique, creative, completely innovative
Owner operated, absentee operated or semi-absentee operated
Requires minimal inventory and a low payroll roster
Includes comprehensive training and support
Our shops
Our upscale and contemporary shops are designed to provide our guests with an atmosphere that promotes fun and creativity while encouraging independence and nutritious eating habits. Every Swirls and Twirls boast a vibrant and unique interior, striking architectural lighting, music from a state-of-the-art sound system, a warm and inviting interior, and free Wi-Fi.
Leveraging technology to enhance the Swirls experience, on-site touch screens have been incorporated into every shop. One provides easy access to ingredient, nutrition and allergy information while the other, a 55" live Facebook monitor, allows customers to post status updates and photos, and see them appear online instantly.
Our Products
All of our premium yogurt flavors are kosher and include gluten-free, non-fat, low-fat, no sugar added, dairy-free varieties, and are as low as 70 calories per ½ cup serving. Every one of our shops features eight dual yogurt dispensers with a third handle in the middle that allows customers to create a most unexpected, uniquely swirled flavor. With 24 flavors on tap and 50+ toppings available all the time, visitors are only limited by their own imaginations.
In addition to our one-of-a-kind in-store experience, our new Swirls To Go products are growing in popularity and are flying out of all of our shops faster than we ever could have imagined. Our grab-and-go and easily customized products include:
Swirl Quarts - Their favorite Swirls flavors in pre-packaged quarts
Swirl Cakes - Birthday, anniversary or special occasion frozen yogurt cakes
Swirlwiches - Soft serve cookie sandwiches, with or without toppings
Swirls Cannoli - Swirls frozen yogurt hand piped into a fresh baked cannoli shell topped with mini chocolate chips.
The Opportunity
Starting a franchise with Swirls and Twirls allows you to capitalize on our proven business model and our tremendously growing momentum in this expanding $14 billion dollar industry. Over the last 18 months we’ve opened 9 new shops, with 3 more on the way, and plans in the works for expansion into NYC, NJ and Boston.
We are dedicated to providing you the systems, training, and tools that we have developed and refined over the years, to grow your business within the thriving market segment of self serve frozen yogurt. We provide our guests with a fun, creative, family and eco-friendly environment and products that are made with the highest quality ingredients at every store. As a franchisee, you’ll receive the benefit of our brand recognition and our support, beginning with site selection and training thru ongoing operational, research and development and marketing efforts. We will be your champion every step of the way.
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