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Updated RecentlyBahama Buck's Original Shaved Ice Company vs Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Bahama Buck's Original Shaved Ice Company vs Tropical Smoothie Cafe including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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| Investment | $233,326 - $770,532 | $198,500 - $543,500 |
| Franchise Fee | $29,500 | $30,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 6% | 6% |
| Advertising Fee | 2% | 3% |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 1997 |
| Year Franchised | 1993 | 1998 |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 15 years |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 15 years |
| Renewal Fee | $5K | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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| Experience | 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 |
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| In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
| Franchise Fees | No/Yes | No/Yes |
| Start-up Costs | No/Yes | No/Yes |
| Equipment | No/Yes | No/Yes |
| Inventory | No/Yes | No/Yes |
| Receivables | No/Yes | No/Yes |
| Payroll | No/Yes | No/Yes |
Training & Support |
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| Training | On-The-Job Training: 20 hours Classroom Training: 20 hours | 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 | Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform | Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform |
| Marketing | Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Social media Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app | Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app |
| Operations |
0% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 15 - 25 Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (67% 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 |
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| US Expansion | Yes | Yes |
| Canada Expansion | No | No |
| International Expansion | No | Yes |
Company Overviews
About Bahama Buck's Original Shaved Ice Company
In the Summer of 1990, Blake Buchanan opened the first Bahama Buck's. He started with one ice shaver and the hope of a college job that didn't involve mowing grass or flipping burgers. Constructing the original store by hand, he enlisted volunteer help from three generations of his family, staffed it with friends and college students and opened the doors.
The tropical sensation caught on and with the help of his now partner, Eric Lee, and his wife, Kippi Buchanan, that summer job turned into a full time vocation.
Blake has worked to keep the spirit of the original Bahama Buck's alive, making sure that each franchise is operated with the same enthusiasm of the first Buck's. His team strives to ensure that each flavor becomes a favorite and each visit is a great time - every time.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Bahama Buck’s
franchised business ranges from $303,700 to $957,838. This includes
$144,000 to $223,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their
affiliate. If you elect to enter into a Multi-Store Amendment, you will
pay the franchisor a development fee equal to 50% of the initial
franchise fee for each additional Bahama Buck’s Store to be opened upon
signing the Multi-Store Amendment (excluding your first store). This fee
is not refundable, but is credited fully against the initial franchise
fee for each store when the franchise agreement is executed for that
store (except the first store).
Seeking new franchise units in Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming
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
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#3 in Gator's Top franchises.
#18 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
#14 in Franchise 500 for 2021.