Mr. Smoothie vs Dairy Queen Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Mr. Smoothie Franchise
Dairy Queen Franchise
Investment $87,650 - $377,400$1,151,135 - $1,936,655
Franchise Fee $20,000$45,000
Royalty Fee 5%4%
Advertising Fee to 2%5-6%
Year Founded 19931940
Year Franchised 20011944
Term Of Agreement 10 yearsVaries
Term Of Agreement 10 yearsVaries
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Mr. Smoothie Franchise
Dairy Queen Franchise
Experience -
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Mr. Smoothie Franchise
    Dairy Queen 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/Yes
    Payroll No/NoNo/Yes

    Training & Support
     
    Mr. Smoothie Franchise
    Dairy Queen Franchise
    Training -On-The-Job Training: 376 hours Classroom Training: 32 hours Additional Training: At existing DQ store
    Support Newsletter, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Ad slicksAd Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    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)

    		 International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 20 - 100

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.

    Expansion Plans
     
    Mr. Smoothie Franchise
    Dairy Queen Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    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 Dairy Queen

    Frozen yogurt producer J.F. McCullough was trying different things with a formula for another solidified dairy item, originating from his conviction that dessert tasted better when it was delicate and served straight from the cooler, not solidified strong. With his formula culminated, McCullough and his child, Alex, persuaded one regarding their clients to hold a starting offer of the new delicate frozen yogurt, and more than 1,600 individuals appeared to attempt it. In light of that underlying achievement, the McCulloughs opened the primary Dairy Queen area in 1940 in Joliet, Illinois. The main stores sold just delicate serve frozen yogurt - in sundaes, bring home pints and quarts, and cones- - however throughout the years, an assortment of dessert treats were added to the menu, for example, banana parts and Dilly Bars. In the 1950s, some Dairy Queens started serving hot sustenance things. Today, stores framework wide have menus that incorporate franks, cheeseburgers and chicken tenders through Dairy Queen's Grill and Chill idea. The organization likewise offers a DQ Treat idea that offers both Dairy Queen's solidified treats and the sister organization's natural product beverages and smoothies.

    International Dairy Queen, Inc., (IDQ) has been creating “smiles and stories” for more than 70 years. Tracing its roots back to 1940, the company, is a leading quick service restaurant franchisor of delicious frozen treats and mouth-watering hot food items. The company is corporately based in Minneapolis, MN, is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation, Orange Julius of America and Karmelkorn Shoppes Inc., which develops, licenses and services a system of more than 6,400 Dairy Queen® Orange Julius® and Karmelkorn® stores in the United States, Canada and over 25 other countries. All are part of the Berkshire Hathaway family, a company owned by Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a single DQ Grill & Chill® franchise is $1,151,135-$1,936,655.
    This includes the $45,555 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate. In addition, if you enter into a multiple trade area reservation agreement, you will pay an initial franchise fee deposit determined by multiplying the number of restaurants you are granted the right to develop by $10,000.

    ""   "Entrepreneur

    #16 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #42 in Franchise 500 for 2021.