Spicy Pickle vs Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Spicy Pickle vs Tropical Smoothie Cafe including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Spicy Pickle Franchise
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise
Investment $300,000$198,500 - $543,500
Franchise Fee $30,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 5%6%
Advertising Fee -3%
Year Founded 19991997
Year Franchised 20031998
Term Of Agreement 10 years15 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years15 years
Renewal Fee 20% of then-current fee-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Spicy Pickle Franchise
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • People skills
    		• Hands on management preferred, restaurant experience preferred (but not required), ability to follow a business system, financial capabilities, general business acumen, ability to work well in a team environment, and passion!!!

    Financing Options
     
    Spicy Pickle Franchise
    Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/Yes
    Payroll No/NoNo/Yes

    Training & Support
     
    Spicy Pickle Franchise
    Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise
    Training -We believe in setting up our franchisees for success. We provide the following training: four-week training program, consisting of two weeks in a nearby Cafe, one week in a classroom setting at our Support Center in Atlanta, Georgia and one week onsite for your Grand Opening.
    Support Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations 50% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 12 - 15

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		Tropical Smoothie Cafe has a very simple business operation since we do not utilize any fryers, grills, hooding systems or serve alcohol in the cafe.

    Absentee Ownership Allowed

    Number of Employees Required to Run: 10 - 20

    Expansion Plans
     
    Spicy Pickle Franchise
    Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About Spicy Pickle

    Spicy Pickle is looking for experienced restaurant operators who also have the financial ability and marketing expertise to develop territory. Spicy Pickle restaurants are in relatively small footprints and can, when properly developed, operated and marketed, produce attractive returns for the investment. Spicy pickle has earned a reputation for serving delicious culinary inspired food that caters mostly to the daytime working populations in a fast casual atmosphere. We are looking for franchisees who have earned a similar reputation for success in their hometowns and are looking for this type of opportunity. If this describes you we encourage you make application and set up a visit to our Corporate headquarters. Be prepared to present a business plan for the roll out of Spicy Pickle restaurants in your chosen development area. We have in place the infrastructure to assist you from initial financial projections to site selection and lease negotiation to build-out assistance, training, grand opening and ongoing marketing and operational support. We are experienced franchisors and restaurant operators and are looking for franchisee partners to help expand the brand. What we need you to have: * Significant business experience and references, preferably in the retail environment and specifically in restaurant operations. * Sufficient financial strength to open several Spicy Pickle restaurants as locations become available (at least $1 Million dollars of liquidity). * Strong ties to the local community. * A desire to build, own and operate your own business, and entrepreneur. * Enthusiasm and the ability to wake up every day with an opportunistic attitude.

    About Tropical Smoothie Cafe

    Tropical Smoothie Cafe offers genuine natural product smoothies, wraps, sandwiches, flatbreads, and servings of mixed greens. Our more beneficial decisions are what today's customers request and search out. Maybe that is the reason in 2015, the main half of our franchisees had normal gross offers of $806,920*.

    Our main goal is to motivate a more beneficial way of life by serving astounding smoothies and nourishment with a touch of tropical fun. On the off chance that you play to win, contribute well and turn into a Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise Owner at this point!

    *Based on date-book year 2015, 77 of 359, or 21.4%, of the Cafes picked up or outperformed this business level. This data shows up in Item 19 of our Franchise Disclosure Document. Your outcomes may vary. There is no confirmation that you will do also.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a single-unit Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise ranges from $198,500 to $543,500. This range includes $37,500 that must be paid to the franchisor, consisting of a franchise fee of $30,000 and a grand opening marketing contribution of $7,500.
    If a franchisee chooses to develop multiple units, a $20,000 franchise fee must be paid to the franchisor for the second and each additional unit.
    Veteran Incentives  50% off franchise fee
    "Top               "Entrepreneur
    #3 in Gator's Top franchises.
    #18 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #14 in Franchise 500 for 2021.