TCBY vs Country Style Ice Cream Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of TCBY vs Country Style Ice Cream including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
TCBY Franchise
Country Style Ice Cream Franchise
Investment $330,000 - $435,000$240,000 - $265,000
Franchise Fee $35,000N/A
Royalty Fee 6%-
Advertising Fee 2%-
Year Founded 1981-
Year Franchised 1982-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
TCBY Franchise
Country Style Ice Cream Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
    		• The most important qualification is the willingness to sacrifice the time necessary to establish a successful operation. Financial strength and management ability or experiences are also key ingredients.

    Financing Options
     
    TCBY Franchise
    Country Style Ice Cream Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/Yes-/-
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
    Equipment No/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/Yes-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support
     
    TCBY Franchise
    Country Style Ice Cream Franchise
    Training -The initial training program shall be approximately 50 hours over eight days in duration. Franchisee shall complete initial training program at least three weeks before the commencement of operation of the franchised store.
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations-
    Marketing Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising-
    Operations International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.

    		It is not a requirement to be an owner/operator. However, it is required that the owner participate in the training program and highly encouraged that the owner participate in the operation of the store at a level that control can be maintained.

    Expansion Plans
     
    TCBY Franchise
    Country Style Ice Cream Franchise
    US Expansion --
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    Company Overviews

    About TCBY

    TCBY Enterprises Inc. was founded in 1981 by Frank Hickingbotham. Hickingbotham got the idea after he tried frozen yogurt for the first time, exclaiming, 'This can't be yogurt!' The initials of that outburst became the name of the company. Now renamed to stand for 'The Country's Best Yogurt,' TCBY has locations across the United States and in more than 60 countries. In 2000 TCBY merged with Capricorn Investors, the principal shareholder of Mrs. Fields' Holdings Inc. The merger allows TCBY to partner with Mrs. Fields' Original Cookies and other members of the Mrs. Fields family, including Pretzel Time and the Great American Cookie Co. Based in Little Rock, Arkansas, TCBY offers franchise units in both traditional and nontraditional locations. It has co-branding relationships with Subway, Blimpie's and Taco Bell.
     
    TCBY is the original and most well-known frozen yogurt brand, leading the market in nutrition, taste and product quality. Serving communities nationwide for 40 years, TCBY is a successful model that has fueled the growth of a thriving industry. TCBY, which currently has over 250 franchise locations worldwide, offers an extensive product line, with most yogurt flavors in varieties that are low in fat, nonfat, or no sugar added. TCBY launched its unique frozen yogurt classification "Super FroYo" in 2011, which is still the most nutritious frozen yogurt product available in the market, as well as was the first brand to market Greek Frozen Yogurt. Also based in Broomfield, Colorado, TCBYhas been a frozen yogurt innovator from the day its first shop opened in Little Rock, Arkansas.

    About Country Style Ice Cream

    Country Style was founded in 1947 when Wayne Lindgren decided to follow his brother Chester "Whitey" Lindgren into the world of ice cream. The brothers collaborated to produce a quality soft serve mix and Wayne along with his wife Desyl opened the first Country Style on 23rd Avenue and 43rd Street in Moline, Illinois. Later, Whitey and Wayne joined forces at the 16th Street and 23rd Avenue Moline store. Wayne eventually bought out Whitey's share of the business. Committed to quality, Wayne and Desyl then set out to establish Country Style as the finest quality soft serve ice cream in the country. Throughout the years, their dedication and hard work produced a following that spread across the country. The words "tastes like homemade" are often heard at Country Style and can be attributed to the high standards originally set by Wayne and Desyl. Kent Kindelsperger purchased Country Style on February 8, 1988 and continues to head the company. After experimenting with different store venues, Country Style has found a niche and brand with a free standing dairy farm building that serves exceptional ice cream. Country Style's history as a top quality soft serve ice cream provider sets a strong foundation to market the brand across the country.