| ||||
Updated RecentlyPanera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company vs Ben's Soft Pretzels Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Company vs Ben's Soft Pretzels including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
||
| Investment | $1,010,985 - $2,252,846 | $107,200 - $339,500 |
| Franchise Fee | $35,000 | $30,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 5% | 6% |
| Advertising Fee | - | 1.5% |
| Year Founded | 1987 | 2008 |
| Year Franchised | 1993 | 2013 |
| Term Of Agreement | 20 years | - |
| Term Of Agreement | 20 years | - |
| Renewal Fee | - | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
||
| 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 | - |
Financing Options |
||
| In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
| Franchise Fees | No/No | -/Yes |
| Start-up Costs | No/No | -/Yes |
| Equipment | No/No | -/Yes |
| Inventory | No/No | -/Yes |
| Receivables | No/No | -/Yes |
| Payroll | No/No | -/Yes |
Training & Support |
||
| Training | - | As a Franchise Partner, you will receive many different forms of hands-on training. We focus on teaching you how to run your business, as well as, how to make our legendary Ben's Soft Pretzel products. We are here to help you every step of the way. * 101 Training (3-Days at Ben's Soft Pretzels University): We walk you through all of the important aspects of starting and managing a successful business. * Reality Training (5-Days at Ben's Soft Pretzels University). In this training we show you everything you need to know about making our delicious pretzel products. * In-Store Training (6-Days). We send a Pretzel Professor to your bakery for 6 days when you open your store to help train your staff in the art of perfect pretzel making. * On-Going Training. We offer multiple training opportunities throughout the year for both Franchise Partners and Bakery Managers. We also offer monthly Franchise Partners conference calls, an online forum, and weekly newsletter to keep you up-to-date with the latest happenings surrounding our business. |
| Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations | Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform |
| Marketing | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising | Here at Ben's Soft Pretzels we are fortunate to have a brand that customers L-O-V-E. Our easy-to-follow marketing programs allow franchise partners to focus their marketing efforts locally. We assist you in turning customers into raving pretzel-loving fans. From announcing the opening of your bakery, to planning your Grand Opening, to growing your brand online, we help our franchise partners every step of the way. We come along side you to create a finely-tuned marketing plan to connect with customers, influencers and community leaders near your bakery. Throughout the year we offer ongoing marketing training to keep up to speed with the most effective marketing tools and tactics. |
| 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) | - |
Expansion Plans |
||
| US Expansion | Yes | Yes |
| Canada Expansion | No | - |
| International Expansion | No | Yes |
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.
!["franchiserankingscom"]("https://d3t9r0kmeshe93.cloudfront.net/settings/71116cc7-281b-43ed-8275-5087635f96d8.png")
#38 on Franchise Rankings.com
About Ben's Soft Pretzels
Ben's Soft Pretzels is an Amish-roused Pretzel Bakery serving amazing, additive free, hot pretzels and other pretzel items at an incredible esteem. Cushy, a dissolve in-your-mouth taste, and regularly delighted in with a wide exhibit of gourmet plunging sauces, Ben's Soft Pretzels are very nearly 2x the measure of different pretzels and highlight imported salt from Germany. Supported by the Perfect Pretzel Promise, on the off chance that you are not 100% content with your item bring back the uneaten bit and we will re-make it. We will do this until you are 100% cheerful! For franchisee applicants, Ben's Soft Pretzels is quickly extending in prime markets all through the US. Being a piece of the Ben's Soft Pretzels family permits people to wind up entrepreneurs with a demonstrated framework and scrumptious item that is sought after. What's more, Ben's Soft Pretzels offers solid brand mindfulness, hands-on preparing, and many levels of progressing backing for establishment proprietors. Land is accessible at this point. Ben's Soft Pretzels has deliberately adjusted to various landowners to give moment store accessibility.
Looking to turn dough into dough? Come roll with us! Franchising
opportunities are available.
Ben’s Soft Pretzels has more than 115+
locations across the US and we are growing rapidly! Have a pretzel day!