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Updated RecentlyCandy Express vs River Street Sweets Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Candy Express vs River Street Sweets 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 | $419,550 - $844,000 |
| Franchise Fee | $25,000 | $40,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 7% | 5% |
| Advertising Fee | - | 2% |
| Year Founded | 1988 | 1973 |
| Year Franchised | 1989 | 2015 |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years | - |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years | - |
| Renewal Fee | $2K | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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| Experience | - | Prospective franchisees must have solid store managerial experience and excellent supervisory, sales and guest relations skills. Previous experience in customer service and/or marketing is a plus! Our fun and friendly franchise concept appeals to a wide array of potential guests. With that being said, the franchise owner will be able to provide an interactive candy experience for happy guests from all walks of life. |
Financing Options |
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| 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 |
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| Training | - | Initial training includes extensive training about the brand's proven systems, policies and procedures at our corporate office in Savannah, Georgia. Franchisees are provided with instructors, facilities, and materials for the initial training program. On-The-Job Training: 183 hours Classroom Training: 18 hours |
| Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives | Newsletter Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Site Selection |
| Marketing | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising | Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media Loyalty program/app |
| 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) | - |
Expansion Plans |
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| US Expansion | - | Yes |
| Canada Expansion | No | - |
| International Expansion | Yes | - |
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 River Street Sweets
River Street Sweets, - Savannah's Candy Kitchen is an old-fashioned candy store that is family-owned and delivers handmade southern sweets to its guests. It offers a variety of delicious handmade candies such as its World Famous Pralines, Chocolate Loggerheads, old-fashioned caramel apples, homemade ice cream and a huge assortment of nostalgic hard candy right in front of guests. The River Street Sweets - Savannah's Candy Kitchen concept enriches the lives of its guests by providing fresh handmade southern candies served in a clean and fun environment. This franchise program is a partnership of two longstanding candy shops with roots in Savannah Georgia, River Street Sweets and Savannah's Candy Kitchen. Both are owned and operated by members of the Strickland family. The shops have more than a dozen locations across Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee and an extremely strong mail and web ordering presence. River Street Sweets - Savannah's Candy Kitchen is now extending franchise opportunities throughout the South and in other select U.S. markets to qualified candidates. River Street Sweets - Savannah's Candy Kitchen will show you how to make our gourmet Southern candies by hand in your own special, old-fashioned candy and ice cream store environment, which is designed to work in a wide range of settings and location types. Franchise owners have the option to choose what size and setting he/she would like to operate in. Its largest models require 2,000-3,000 sq. ft. and are located primarily in high traffic tourist locations. OR, they can choose one of their smaller locations that are an estimated 750-1,000 sq. ft. Franchisees will also have the opportunity to share in a portion of revenues obtained through our mail and online ordering and gift items. This enables franchisees to build a sweet business through these multiple product lines and revenue streams.
$5,000 discount on Franchise fee to veterans.
Owners converting into a River Street Sweets - Savannah's Candy Kitchen receive an $11,000 discount.