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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Candy Express vs Sir Chocolate including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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Investment | $125,000 - $175,000 | $41,300 - $136,500 |
Franchise Fee | $25,000 | $25,000 |
Royalty Fee | 7% | 5% |
Advertising Fee | - | - |
Year Founded | 1988 | 2003 |
Year Franchised | 1989 | 2004 |
Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 7 years |
Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 7 years |
Renewal Fee | $2K | $5K/$10K |
Business Experience Requirements |
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Experience | - | - |
Financing Options |
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In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
Franchise Fees | No/Yes | No/No |
Start-up Costs | No/Yes | No/No |
Equipment | No/Yes | No/No |
Inventory | No/Yes | No/No |
Receivables | No/Yes | No/No |
Payroll | No/Yes | No/No |
Training & Support |
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Training | - | * Available at headquarters: 3 days * At franchisee's location: 3-5 days |
Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives | - |
Marketing | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, 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) | * Franchise can be run from home * Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2 * Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
Expansion Plans |
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US Expansion | - | Yes |
Canada Expansion | No | - |
International Expansion | Yes | Yes |
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.
NO LONGER FRANCHISING
Sir Chocolate began as a one-man operation with only a single chocolate fountain. Since then, the company has expanded from a homebased business into a combination warehouse, kitchen and office. The lone fountain has grown into a mobile chocolate fountain cart made for special events, a retail outlet and fondue gift baskets. Franchisees have three options for running their business: catering, retail and a retail-vending cart.