Great Harvest vs Le Macaron French Pastries Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Great Harvest Franchise
Le Macaron French Pastries Franchise
Investment $69,613 - $704,873$131,500 - $361,500
Franchise Fee $35,000$45,000
Royalty Fee 5%6%
Advertising Fee 2.5%0.5%
Year Founded 19762009
Year Franchised 19782012
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee -$7000


Business Experience Requirements

 
Great Harvest Franchise
Le Macaron French Pastries Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Great Harvest Franchise
    Le Macaron French Pastries 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/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/Yes
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Great Harvest Franchise
    Le Macaron French Pastries Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 120 hours Classroom Training: 120 hours Additional Training: When necessaryOn-The-Job Training: 24 hours
    Support Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection
    Marketing Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/appAd Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Loyalty program/app
    Operations 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

     
    Great Harvest Franchise
    Le Macaron French Pastries Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    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
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    About Le Macaron French Pastries

    Say "Oui" to an Exceptional Opportunity & Discover our simple, niche concept with limited direct competition. Our true French macarons are the perfect delicacy, original and elegant; French gelato, French pastries, European style beverages and more!

    You will receive the best in support from the moment you begin your discovery, to your pastry shop opening and beyond. It is our mission to provide you with the highest quality products, training, support tools, marketing and more while avoiding the many costs and headaches that often come with running a full-service restaurant or similar business.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a traditional Le Macaron French Pastries pastry shop or permanent kiosk ranges from $131,500 to $361,500.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a mobile kiosk ranges from $84,350 to $147,000. This includes $74,500 to $126,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate. If you elect to develop three Pastry Shops under our multi-unit development program, then you will sign our area development agreement and pay us a development fee equal to $99,000.
    Veteran Incentives  20% off franchise fee