Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company vs COBS Bread Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company vs COBS Bread including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company Franchise
COBS Bread Franchise
Investment $1,010,985 - $2,252,846$400,000 - $750,000
Franchise Fee $35,000$25,000
Royalty Fee 5%7%
Advertising Fee -3%
Year Founded 19872003
Year Franchised 19932006
Term Of Agreement 20 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years10 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company Franchise
COBS Bread Franchise
Experience

*Experience as a multi-unit restaurant operator *Recognition as a top restaurant operator *Net worth of $7.5 million *Liquid assets of $3 million *Infrastructure and resources to meet our development schedule *Real estate experience in the market to be developed *Total commitment to the development of the Panera Bread brand *Cultural fit and a passion for fresh bread

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Financing Options

 
Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company Franchise
COBS Bread 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

 
Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company Franchise
COBS Bread Franchise
Training -Throughout the 16 week training program, our training consultants will teach you everything you need to know about managing your COBS Bread bakery. This includes how to monitor and manage operations and finance, the full baking process, production planning, stock control, marketing, managing staff and wages, performance and recruitment management, occupational health and safety, and more, including: * Product knowledge and handling. * Bakery team training and customer service. * Marketing and promotions. * Purchasing and inventory control. * Effective management practices. * Bakery staff development. The COBS Bread Franchise Training Program takes place in a bakery environment, at designated bakery locations. It is conducted over three months, following a three week orientation. During this time potential franchisees acquire the necessary competencies required to operate a COBS Bread bakery. In addition to this, they attend off-site additional training on an ongoing basis when the need arises.
Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluationsCOBS Bread train franchisees to operate their business at a profit, offer experienced 'hands-on' group management, proven business procedures and systems. To meet the changing demands of customers, COBS Bread continues to enhance systems, policies, departmental structures and guidelines, to provide franchisees with more streamlined, relevant and timely support.
Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingThe COBS Bread brand is distinctive - from the delightful service to the high quality freshly baked breads day after day. ‘Real people' baking ‘real bread' while demonstrating ‘real delight,' is the cornerstone of our group marketing strategy. Parent company Bakers Delight, has a strong, recognisable brand. COBS Bread is closely aligned with the Bakers Delight brand, leveraging existing brand awareness. Over time the COBS Bread brand will become more recognisable and continue to grow. Strategic marketing support is offered in the areas of advertising, media, design, product, pricing, public relations, merchandising and market research. Franchisees also have the flexibility to conduct campaigns at a local level. Local marketing supports corporate strategies, leveraging the advertising dollar.
Operations Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 100% of all franchisees own more than one unit

Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 40 - 60

Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

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Expansion Plans

 
Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company Franchise
COBS Bread Franchise
US Expansion Yes-
Canada Expansion NoYes
International Expansion No-

Company Overviews

About Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company

After more than 17 years in the retail industry, Ken Rosenthal changed gears and founded Saint Louis Bread Co. in 1987. His goal was to create a neighborhood bakery where people could pick up fresh-baked bread, meals and snacks. In 1993, Rosenthal sold Saint Louis Bread to Au Bon Pain Co. Six years later, the company was renamed Panera Bread. The future growth of Panera Bread will be based upon company bakery-cafe development as well as the continued sale of franchise area development agreements. Panera Bread does not sell single-unit franchises, so it is not possible to open just one bakery-cafe. Rather, we have chosen to develop by selling market areas which require the franchise developer to open a number of units, typically 15 bakery-cafes in a period of 6 years. Panera Bread franchises must be well-capitalized to open great bakery-cafes and meet this aggressive development schedule. Additionally, they must have a proven track record as excellent multi-unit restaurant operators to operate great Panera Bread bakery-cafes.

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About COBS Bread

COBS Bread began in Vancouver, BC, Canada with the opening of the Edgemont pastry shop in November 2003. Its opening group of individuals incorporated a few Aussies who had gone far and wide yet began to look all starry eyed at Beautiful British Columbia. These bold Aussies were from Bakers Delight - a retail bread heating bunch. It would be ideal if you don't hesitate to visit the Bakers Delight site at www.bakersdelight.com.au One of these meandering Aussies is a fifth era pastry specialist. COBS bread is a youthful, enthusiastic organization with high aspirations; committed to furnishing the group with the most ideal and freshest bread. COBS Bread has constructed an organization that places a high accentuation on learning and self-awareness by supporting and testing its kin to come to their fullpotential. Fruitful franchisees originate from various foundations. Do you have the accompanying qualities:
*Team player.
*Hard laborer.
*Possess a craving to accomplish.
*Willing to take after the COBS Bread framework.
*Good relational abilities.
*Self-train and constancy.
*Superior hierarchical abilities
*Willingness to learn
*Show uprightness.

Many individuals ask "What does COBS mean, what does it remain for?" A COB roll would one say one is of our most prevalent dry breads so why not deify the name? Some of our group think COBS ought to remain for Canada's Own Bread Stores.

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#85 in Canada's Top franchises.