Dairy Queen vs Swirls and Twirls Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Dairy Queen vs Swirls and Twirls including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
Investment |
$1,151,135 - $1,936,655 | $335,000 - $664,750 |
Franchise Fee |
$45,000 | $30,000 |
Royalty Fee |
4% | 6% |
Advertising Fee |
5-6% | - |
Year Founded |
1940 | 2011 |
Year Franchised |
1944 | 2012 |
Term Of Agreement |
Varies | - |
Term Of Agreement |
Varies | - |
Renewal Fee |
- | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
Experience |
Industry experience General business experience | We are looking for highly self-motivated business minded people searching for independent ownership. We look for franchisees that are outgoing and dedicated to building connections within the community. Our franchisees must also be financially qualified. We have multi-unit opportunities available for those who fulfill specific qualifications. |
Financing Options |
|
In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party |
Franchise Fees |
No/Yes | -/- |
Start-up Costs |
No/Yes | -/- |
Equipment |
No/Yes | -/- |
Inventory |
No/Yes | -/- |
Receivables |
No/Yes | -/- |
Payroll |
No/Yes | -/- |
Training & Support |
Training |
On-The-Job Training: 376 hours
Classroom Training: 32 hours
Additional Training: At existing DQ store | You will receive 10 days of training at our location in West Islip, New York covering Swirls and Twirls Systems
and Procedures, Food Safety, Customer Service, Finance, Administrative procedures and Local Store Marketing. |
Support |
Purchasing Co-ops
Newsletter
Meetings/Conventions
Toll-Free Line
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security/Safety Procedures
Field Operations
Site Selection
Franchisee Intranet Platform | Swirls and Twirls provides its franchisees with support from site selection approvals to store opening assistance,
training, ongoing consultation, marketing programs and materials, new products and more. |
Marketing |
Ad Templates
National Media
Regional Advertising
Social media
Email marketing
Loyalty program/app | - |
Operations |
International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 20 - 100
Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. | - |
Expansion Plans |
US Expansion |
Yes | Yes |
Canada Expansion |
No | - |
International Expansion |
Yes | - |
Company Overviews
About Dairy Queen
Frozen yogurt producer J.F. McCullough was trying different things with a formula for another solidified dairy item, originating from his conviction that dessert tasted better when it was delicate and served straight from the cooler, not solidified strong. With his formula culminated, McCullough and his child, Alex, persuaded one regarding their clients to hold a starting offer of the new delicate frozen yogurt, and more than 1,600 individuals appeared to attempt it. In light of that underlying achievement, the McCulloughs opened the primary Dairy Queen area in 1940 in Joliet, Illinois. The main stores sold just delicate serve frozen yogurt - in sundaes, bring home pints and quarts, and cones- - however throughout the years, an assortment of dessert treats were added to the menu, for example, banana parts and Dilly Bars. In the 1950s, some Dairy Queens started serving hot sustenance things. Today, stores framework wide have menus that incorporate franks, cheeseburgers and chicken tenders through Dairy Queen's Grill and Chill idea. The organization likewise offers a DQ Treat idea that offers both Dairy Queen's solidified treats and the sister organization's natural product beverages and smoothies.
International Dairy Queen, Inc., (IDQ) has been creating “smiles and stories” for more than 70 years. Tracing its roots back to 1940, the company, is a leading quick service restaurant franchisor of delicious frozen treats and mouth-watering hot food items. The company is corporately based in Minneapolis, MN, is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation, Orange Julius of America and Karmelkorn Shoppes Inc., which develops, licenses and services a system of more than 6,400 Dairy Queen® Orange Julius® and Karmelkorn® stores in the United States, Canada and over 25 other countries. All are part of the Berkshire Hathaway family, a company owned by Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a single DQ Grill
& Chill® franchise is $1,151,135-$1,936,655.
This includes the
$45,555 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate. In addition,
if you enter into a multiple trade area reservation agreement, you will
pay an initial franchise fee deposit determined by multiplying the
number of restaurants you are granted the right to develop by $10,000.
#16 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
#42 in Franchise 500 for 2021.
About Swirls and Twirls
Swirls and Twirls was created to be the ultimate healthy indulgence and the most innovative self-serve frozen yogurt experience out there. We are all about promoting creative expression - in all forms.
Every Swirls and Twirls Franchise is:
Fun, simple, highly scalable
Unique, creative, completely innovative
Owner operated, absentee operated or semi-absentee operated
Requires minimal inventory and a low payroll roster
Includes comprehensive training and support
Our shops
Our upscale and contemporary shops are designed to provide our guests with an atmosphere that promotes fun and creativity while encouraging independence and nutritious eating habits. Every Swirls and Twirls boast a vibrant and unique interior, striking architectural lighting, music from a state-of-the-art sound system, a warm and inviting interior, and free Wi-Fi.
Leveraging technology to enhance the Swirls experience, on-site touch screens have been incorporated into every shop. One provides easy access to ingredient, nutrition and allergy information while the other, a 55" live Facebook monitor, allows customers to post status updates and photos, and see them appear online instantly.
Our Products
All of our premium yogurt flavors are kosher and include gluten-free, non-fat, low-fat, no sugar added, dairy-free varieties, and are as low as 70 calories per ½ cup serving. Every one of our shops features eight dual yogurt dispensers with a third handle in the middle that allows customers to create a most unexpected, uniquely swirled flavor. With 24 flavors on tap and 50+ toppings available all the time, visitors are only limited by their own imaginations.
In addition to our one-of-a-kind in-store experience, our new Swirls To Go products are growing in popularity and are flying out of all of our shops faster than we ever could have imagined. Our grab-and-go and easily customized products include:
Swirl Quarts - Their favorite Swirls flavors in pre-packaged quarts
Swirl Cakes - Birthday, anniversary or special occasion frozen yogurt cakes
Swirlwiches - Soft serve cookie sandwiches, with or without toppings
Swirls Cannoli - Swirls frozen yogurt hand piped into a fresh baked cannoli shell topped with mini chocolate chips.
The Opportunity
Starting a franchise with Swirls and Twirls allows you to capitalize on our proven business model and our tremendously growing momentum in this expanding $14 billion dollar industry. Over the last 18 months we’ve opened 9 new shops, with 3 more on the way, and plans in the works for expansion into NYC, NJ and Boston.
We are dedicated to providing you the systems, training, and tools that we have developed and refined over the years, to grow your business within the thriving market segment of self serve frozen yogurt. We provide our guests with a fun, creative, family and eco-friendly environment and products that are made with the highest quality ingredients at every store. As a franchisee, you’ll receive the benefit of our brand recognition and our support, beginning with site selection and training thru ongoing operational, research and development and marketing efforts. We will be your champion every step of the way.