Mrs. Fields vs Big Dad's Pies Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Mrs. Fields vs Big Dad's Pies including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Mrs. Fields Franchise
Big Dad's Pies Franchise
Investment $166,806 - $410,500$220,000 - $250,000
Franchise Fee $30,000N/A
Royalty Fee 6%-
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 1977-
Year Franchised 1990-
Term Of Agreement 7 years-
Term Of Agreement 7 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Mrs. Fields Franchise
Big Dad's Pies Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
    		• No special education or prior experience in our type of business is required for a person to be considered as a possible Big Dad�s Pies franchisee. Even if you haven�t worked in retail before, we will ensure you the opportunity to succeed. It is essential that our franchisees become personally involved in every facet of their business. You should be willing and able to perform all sales, on-site production and other functions required on a daily basis. By recruiting, training and retaining quality staff, the individual demands on you can be lessened, but your personal involvement is essential to maximise the potential of your business.

    Financing Options
     
    Mrs. Fields Franchise
    Big Dad's Pies 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
     
    Mrs. Fields Franchise
    Big Dad's Pies Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesWe provide a comprehensive franchise support program: * Regular support & supervision from the franchise team through site visits and telephone support * Ongoing business advice & coaching on how to operate the franchise and improve your bottom line * Assistance with your individual strategic plan * Local Marketing advise specific to your store * Continual improvements & updates to the Franchisee Operations Manual * Research & development of new products * Regular quality control in shop standards across the total franchise network * Quarterly business operations review for every franchisee * Weekly franchisee newsletter * Latest equipment advice * Negotiating product supply agreements
    Marketing Ad slicks, National mediaWe nurture the Big Dad's brand in a number of ways, including: * Point of sale displays * Cross media advertising including newspapers, radio, billboards & flyers * Production of quality advertising & promotional materials * Good internet presence * Excellent signage at every location * Special offers to customers
    Operations International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    Mrs. Fields Franchise
    Big Dad's Pies Franchise
    US Expansion --
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    Company Overviews

    About Mrs. Fields

    Mrs. Fields Cookies started in 1977 and has been in the Famous Brands portfolio since 2000. Today the company has over
    300 locations in over 20 countries. Mrs. Fields has been a pioneer in cookies and based goods.

    Through its franchisees' retail stores; it is one of the largest retailers of freshly baked, on-premises specialty cookies and brownies in the world and the largest retailer of soft-serve frozen yogurt with live active cultures. Its franchise systems operate through a network of more than 800 franchised and licensed locations throughout the United States and in 25 foreign countries. In addition, it operates an internet and catalog gifting business, and has entered into licensing arrangements that leverage awareness of its core brands among its retail customer base.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a retail store ranges from $251,995 to $410,500.
    This includes $35,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliate.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a retail kiosk
    ranges from $166,806 t0 $233,640.
    This includes $35,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliate.



    About Big Dad's Pies

    Over the last few years, Big Dad's Pies has been developing the business with an increased emphasis in establishing well-branded and easily accessed Pie Shops. National expansion plans are now a reality with the recently completed Heathwood manufacturing facility, which includes five large SNAP freezers. The SNAP freezers (a $500 000 investment), which were commissioned in December 2008, will enable products to be produced in advance and stored in the freezers so that not only will product shortage never be a problem, but now products can be delivered to stores at greater distances away from the manufacturing facility. Previously stores had to be located within a 20 km radius to the manufacturing facility to ensure a fresh product could be delivered each day. Now product can be produced, frozen and then delivered via freezer trucks to stores around Australia.
    Benefits of owning a Big Dad's Pie Shop * Excellent range of products * No trade qualifications needed * Low operating costs * Strong, yet managed growth * Operate out of sites from 60m2 * Work well as both stand alone and strip mall sites without the demands of shopping centre food courts * High customer service standards * Excellent well managed branding * Upfront and ongoing training * Benefits of group purchasing * Site identification, lease negotiation & store design * Excellent support & leadership * Ready to bake products * Is a turn-key operation * Standardised products & systems * Cash based takings * Professionally developed franchise system * Comprehensive operations manual * Modern well-equipped new store * Ongoing research and development * Touch screen Point of Sale system with excellent reporting capabilities