Candy Express vs South Bend Chocolate Company Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Candy Express vs South Bend Chocolate Company including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Candy Express Franchise
South Bend Chocolate Company Franchise
Investment $125,000 - $175,000$85,700 - $676,460
Franchise Fee $25,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 7%4%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19881991
Year Franchised 19891997
Term Of Agreement 10 years4 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years4 years
Renewal Fee $2K$150


Business Experience Requirements
 
Candy Express Franchise
South Bend Chocolate Company Franchise
Experience -
  • Overall qualifications considered; no specific experience is necessary
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Candy Express Franchise
    South Bend Chocolate Company Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/No
    Equipment No/YesNo/No
    Inventory No/YesNo/No
    Receivables No/YesNo/No
    Payroll No/YesNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Candy Express Franchise
    South Bend Chocolate Company Franchise
    Training -Ongoing (monthly visits)
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising
    Operations International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 30% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 4

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (75% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		 0% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6 - 20

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Candy Express Franchise
    South Bend Chocolate Company Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About Candy Express

    Beginning with four company-owned stores in1988, Candy Express locations have served a variety of sweets to customers in malls and shopping centers throughout the United States and into Saudi Arabia, the site of the company's first international license.

    About South Bend Chocolate Company

    Chocolate is in the Tarner family's blood. When Mark Tarner founded the South Bend Chocolate Company (SBCC) in 1991, he had already spent several years working in his father's chocolate factory. Privately owned and operated, the South Bend Chocolate Company got its start making chocolates under a license from the University of Notre Dame, and currently makes licensed chocolates for other schools, including Indiana University and Purdue University. In addition, South Bend Chocolate Company also wholesales its product line to gift shops, gourmet food stores, coffee shops and gift basket companies throughout the country.
    South Bend Chocolate Company franchises operate retail kiosks, Chocolate Caf'ites and Caf'xpress coffee carts in malls throughout Indiana and other states.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of the Kiosk model ranges from $85,700 to $111,005, and for the Cafe Model range from $340,552 to $676,460.
    For the Kiosk model, this includes $55,000 to $57,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate, and for the Café model includes $57,000 to $61,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate.