Mr. Smoothie vs Icebox/Soupbox Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Mr. Smoothie vs Icebox/Soupbox including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Mr. Smoothie Franchise
Icebox/Soupbox Franchise
Investment $87,650 - $377,400$69,500 - $174,500
Franchise Fee $20,000$14,000 - $20,000
Royalty Fee 5%4%
Advertising Fee to 2%-
Year Founded 19931995
Year Franchised 20011998
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee -Negotiable


Business Experience Requirements

 
Mr. Smoothie Franchise
Icebox/Soupbox Franchise
Experience -
  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    Mr. Smoothie Franchise
    Icebox/Soupbox Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/No
    Equipment No/NoNo/No
    Inventory No/NoNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Mr. Smoothie Franchise
    Icebox/Soupbox Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Ad slicksCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising
    Operations 50% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 4 - 6

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (50% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    0% 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

     
    Mr. Smoothie Franchise
    Icebox/Soupbox Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Mr. Smoothie

    Ready to own TWO of the fastest Growing Franchise Concepts Under ONE Roof? Then Mr. Smoothie & Frozen Yogurt may be the Franchise for YOU!
    Mr. Smoothie, with over 26 years in business in 7 states, is the first Multi- State Franchise system to bring both: Real Fresh Fruit Smoothies and Self Service Frozen Yogurt Under one Roof.
    Since 1996, Mr. Smoothie has been serving the Freshest and most delicious Smoothies, Juices and everyone’s favorite frozen treats

    Mr. Smoothie’s locations are where our customers "Work, Live and Play” helping to accommodate today’s hectic schedules and healthy lifestyles.

    We continually work with our vendors to ensure our locations are supplied with the freshest and healthiest products while delivering the best value to our customers.
    Reqirements:
    *Net worth of $200k and $50k liquid
    *Real Estate, Design & Build Out Assistance
    *All formats: Malls, Strip Centers, Airports & Universities
    *Simple & Easy to Learn Operations
    *On Site Training & Ongoing Store Support
    *Menu items for everyone in the family and all throughout the day
    *National Proprietary Food Vendor for bulk purchasing power
    *Single Store, Multi-Unit and Area Developers welcomed
     

    About Icebox/Soupbox

    Before opening his first store, Jamie Taerbaum stood outside a Baskin-Robbins store to figure out how many customers an ice cream store could expect at different times of day, on different days of the week, and in different weather conditions. Armed with this research, the young business school graduate opened the original Icebox/Soupbox store in 1995 in Chicago.

    In the spring and summer, Icebox operates as a retailer of Icyfruit, a mixture of fruit juice, sugar, water and chunks of fruit that comes in 20 flavors. Throughout the fall and winter, it becomes a Soupbox store, offering a wide variety of soups.