Icebox/Soupbox vs U-Swirl-n-Go Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Icebox/Soupbox Franchise
U-Swirl-n-Go Franchise
Investment $69,500 - $174,500$360,000 - $466,000
Franchise Fee $14,000 - $20,000$25,000
Royalty Fee 4%-
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19952008
Year Franchised 19982008
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee Negotiable-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Icebox/Soupbox Franchise
U-Swirl-n-Go Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Icebox/Soupbox Franchise
    U-Swirl-n-Go 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
    U-Swirl-n-Go 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
    U-Swirl-n-Go Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    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 U-Swirl-n-Go

    ""

    U-Swirl International has launched a new concept. “U-Swirl-n-Go” is a 2-4 self-serve frozen yogurt machine kiosk (depending on size constraints) that is ideal for Convenience Stores, Truck Stops, Malls, Airports, University Food Courts, or other Non-Traditional Locations. This can be done in as little as 50 square feet of space. Because of the modular design the kiosk can be retro-fitted or featured in a new store build out as a custom design.
    Advantages:
    • Great opportunity to increase revenues and profits
    • Increase store traffic from “the pump” to “the store”
    • Turns existing floor space into “Branded Profits”
    • National Brand Alliance with over 280 traditional stores in 38 states and 4 countries
    • Cheaper and more efficient than going-it-alone
    • Minimal Space
    • Little to no additional Labor costs
    • Opportunity for a unique product offering in your trade area
    Kiosks
    • 40 - 50 square foot minimum
    • Easy install (kiosk-in-a-box)
    • Kiosks are built modularly and shipped read to assemble (retro-fit)
    • Custom design available for new store builds
    • Yogurt is machine ready
    • On-site Training