Bahama Buck's Original Shaved Ice Company vs sweetFrog Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Bahama Buck's Original Shaved Ice Company vs sweetFrog including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Bahama Buck's Original Shaved Ice Company Franchise
sweetFrog Franchise
Investment $233,326 - $770,532$95,600 - $477,500
Franchise Fee $29,500$15,000 - $30,000
Royalty Fee 6%5%
Advertising Fee 2%1.5%
Year Founded 19892009
Year Franchised 19932012
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee $5K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Bahama Buck's Original Shaved Ice Company Franchise
sweetFrog Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Bahama Buck's Original Shaved Ice Company Franchise
    sweetFrog Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/Yes-/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/Yes
    Equipment No/Yes-/Yes
    Inventory No/Yes-/Yes
    Receivables No/Yes-/Yes
    Payroll No/Yes-/Yes

    Training & Support

     
    Bahama Buck's Original Shaved Ice Company Franchise
    sweetFrog Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 20 hours Classroom Training: 20 hours On-The-Job Training: 24 hours Classroom Training: 24 hours Additional Training: As needed
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform Purchasing Co-ops 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)

    50% of all franchisees own more than one unit.

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2 - 4.

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (50% of current franchisees are owner/operators).


    Expansion Plans

     
    Bahama Buck's Original Shaved Ice Company Franchise
    sweetFrog Franchise
    US Expansion YesNo
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoNo

    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 sweetFrog

    Shortly after moving to Richmond, Virginia, in 2009, Derek Cha brought the West-Coast frozen yogurt trend to his new home by opening the first sweetFrog store. In addition to a variety of frozen yogurt flavors and toppings, sweetFrog locations offer waffle cones and bowls, Belgian waffles, banana splits and parfaits.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a sweetFrog Shop is $231,500 - $477,500 for a Shop in Traditional Venue, $95,600 - $304,000 for a Kiosk Shop or Standard Floor Plan Shop in Non-Traditional Venue and $122,400 - $219,300 for a Truck.

    #23 on Entrepreneur's ranking of the top 150 franchises offering incentives and other programs to help veterans become franchisees

    Seeking new franchise units throughout the U.S., Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Central America, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Mexico, Philippines, South America and Western Europe    
    Veteran Incentives  25% off franchise fee (50% off in May and November)