Icebox/Soupbox vs The Comfy Cow Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Icebox/Soupbox Franchise
The Comfy Cow Franchise
Investment $69,500 - $174,500$259,499 - $422,260
Franchise Fee $14,000 - $20,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 4%5%
Advertising Fee -2%
Year Founded 1995-
Year Franchised 1998-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee Negotiable-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Icebox/Soupbox Franchise
The Comfy Cow Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Icebox/Soupbox Franchise
    The Comfy Cow Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/-
    Start-up Costs No/No-/-
    Equipment No/No-/-
    Inventory No/No-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Icebox/Soupbox Franchise
    The Comfy Cow Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives-
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising-
    Operations 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

     
    Icebox/Soupbox Franchise
    The Comfy Cow Franchise
    US Expansion --
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    Company Overviews

    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.

    About The Comfy Cow

    From its inception, Tim and Roy’s goal has always been to offer not only "the best ice cream on the planet,” but "the best ice cream experience.” They focused on producing a high quality, super-premium ice cream that would be served in a family friendly, fun, funky atmosphere. The decor of their 1,600 square foot first store included re-purposed tables, mismatched chairs and church pews, leather chairs, and lots and lots of whimsy. The feel was inherently comfy and communal. It was immediately hugely successful. The second Comfy Cow location opened at the Cardinal Towne development complex next to the University of Louisville’s downtown campus in August 2011. The third location, which included the renovation of an historic 120-year old Queen Victorian house, opened in the Clifton neighborhood of Louisville on Frankfort Avenue in October 2011. With each and every store, the feel is a bit different but they are all recognizably and inherently Comfy Cows. The one constant…the incredible quality of the ice cream! "We aspire to provide an atmosphere that’s comfy, warm, and inviting to be able to truly enjoy the best ice cream on the planet. This, combined with an understanding and respect of community, positions us as a ‘local’ company no matter the location.” - Tim Koons-McGee, Co-Founder. Franchising Opportunities After opening three successful stores, we want to open up this opportunity to individuals, groups, and our great customers who share our philosophies and have a passion to get involved with their communities. Here are some very good reasons to invest in The Comfy Cow franchise: Successful business model providing rare grass roots opportunity to be your own boss and have fun doing it! National recognition of the brand. We have won many awards and accolades. Strong training and operational support before and after a store opens. Support to select real estate, design and construct stores. Local store marketing guidance and ongoing operational support. Low cost to entry.