Cookies By Design/Cookie Bouquet vs Gigi's Cupcakes Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Cookies By Design/Cookie Bouquet vs Gigi's Cupcakes including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Cookies By Design/Cookie Bouquet Franchise
Gigi's Cupcakes Franchise
Investment $90,000 - $180,000$226,700 - $425,500
Franchise Fee $25,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 6%5%
Advertising Fee -2.5%
Year Founded 19832007
Year Franchised 19872008
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Renewal Fee 25% of initial fee-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Cookies By Design/Cookie Bouquet Franchise
Gigi's Cupcakes Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • You will need prior experience in running a business, preferably retail. Passion - We want you to be excited and enthusiastic about owning a cupcake shop. Involvement - You are expected be involved in your business on a daily basis, because we find greater success with owners that are actively involved in the operation of their shop. This business requires real commitment, attention to detail, and hard work.


    Financing Options

     
    Cookies By Design/Cookie Bouquet Franchise
    Gigi's Cupcakes Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-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

     
    Cookies By Design/Cookie Bouquet Franchise
    Gigi's Cupcakes Franchise
    Training -On-The-Job Training: 91 hours Classroom Training: 52 hours
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Ad slicks, National mediaAd Templates National Media Social media SEO Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations 30% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 5

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

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    Cookies By Design/Cookie Bouquet Franchise
    Gigi's Cupcakes Franchise
    US Expansion -No
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion No-

    Company Overviews

    About Cookies By Design/Cookie Bouquet

    When she lost her job, single mother Gwen Willhite had to figure out what to do next. Combining two traditional gifts'flowers and sweets'Willhite developed a new business: Cookies by Design/Cookie Bouquet. Each bouquet was arranged with custom-molded, hand-decorated sugar and cinnamon brown sugar cookies in baskets for all holidays and occasions. The company, which Willhite started in her home, soon grew into a chain of shops that began franchising in 1987. Within 10 years, Cookies by Design/Cookie Bouquet had grown to more than 175 shops in 115 cities across the United States.

    Cookies by Design offers a low entry cost and scalable confectionery bakery franchise featuring custom hand decorated cookie bouquets, gourmet cookies, cupcakes and confectionery treats. For over 30 years, Cookies by Design has been delighting people across the US with a unique and delicious gifting alternative to flowers.Our ability to create custom cookie bouquet designs with a personalized message as well as provide local hand delivery set us apart. Our customers are thrilled with
    Cookies by Design’s ease of service and creativity that delivers their gift with a personal touch. We love being a part of people celebrations, special occasions and life events. From start to finish our cookie bouquets are all hand crafted using our sugar cookie dough, cinnamon brown sugar dough recipes and signature icing creating an unforgettable, tasty work of art. With over 300 unique cookie cutter shapes and thousands of design options Cookies by Design’s potential to deliver gift items that are unique, special & memorable are limitless. Cookies by Design has incorporated the business of gifting with the love of baked goods into one successful franchise. Combining the local bakery retail shop offering personalized gifts and local hand delivery with the cookiesbydesign.com online ordering site, gives each location has a national selling reach with a neighborhood delivery touch.

    About Gigi's Cupcakes

    If you are looking for a great opportunity, and you have the business acumen and financial wherewithal, Gigi's Cupcakes may be the concept and opportunity you have been looking for. We have a business model that yields high volume sales with lower occupancy and build-out costs than what you might expect. We also have lower labor and food costs than typical food service franchises. All this adds up to an opportunity that can change your life. Gigi's is committed to making sure we choose the right people to join us in building Gigi's Cupcakes locations nationally. We have learned what it takes to be a successful Gigi's Cupcakes owner and have summarized those qualifications for your consideration: Capital Requirements - You will need liquid assets of approximately $100,000 and total net worth of $250,000. This can be done individually or with family members or investors that sign on with you. We will provide you with total support along the way including: Site selection Lease review and negotiation Design/Layout and Construction Equipment Sourcing Training Marketing Grand Opening support Ongoing marketing and operational support If you would like to arrange a meeting: For further information go to http://www.gigiscupcakesusa.com/becomeanowner or you could try http://www.thefranchisemall.com/request/