Great American Cookie Company vs Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Great American Cookie Company vs Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
	Great American Cookie Company Franchise	Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise
Investment	$177,700 - $476,135	$98,350 - $445,000
Franchise Fee	$15,000 - $35,000	$30,000
Royalty Fee	6%	7%
Advertising Fee	1.5%	1%
Year Founded	1977	1988
Year Franchised	1977	1989
Term Of Agreement	Concurrent with lease	5 years
Term Of Agreement	Concurrent with lease	5 years
Renewal Fee	-	-
Business Experience Requirements
	Great American Cookie Company Franchise	Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise
Experience	Industry experience General business experience Marketing skills	General business experience
Financing Options
	Great American Cookie Company Franchise	Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise
	In-House/3rd Party	In-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees	No/Yes	No/Yes
Start-up Costs	No/Yes	No/Yes
Equipment	No/Yes	No/Yes
Inventory	No/Yes	No/Yes
Receivables	No/No	No/Yes
Payroll	No/No	No/Yes
Training & Support
	Great American Cookie Company Franchise	Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise
Training	On-The-Job Training: 37 hours Classroom Training: 36.5 hours	On-The-Job Training: 32 hours Classroom Training: 40-64 hours
Support	Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Site Selection	Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing	Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app	Ad Templates National Media Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
Operations	Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.	53.9% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 9 - 12 Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators)
Expansion Plans
	Great American Cookie Company Franchise	Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise
US Expansion	-	Yes
Canada Expansion	No	No
International Expansion	No	Yes

Company Overviews

About Great American Cookie Company

Beginning an establishment is an interest in your vocation AND your group! Don't you need to be the one to convey the treat cake to your neighborhood?

Our ease establishment opportunity is an incredible alternative for any individual who is searching for an approach to begin a profession as an entrepreneur! Every open door is distinctive, so whether you open your establishment in a shopping center, at an air terminal, or anyplace else in the middle of, you can alter your establishment for YOU!

Great American Cookies opened its first store in Atlanta's Perimeter Mall in 1977. From one family chocolate treat formula, it included an entire line of treats and brownies and started diversifying in 1978. Notwithstanding normal treats, most stores highlight extensive plate-or dish estimated treats with customized messages for gatherings or unique events.

On August 24, 1998, Mrs. Fields Original Cookies Inc. procured the organization. Mrs. Fields Famous Brands incorporates The Original Cookie Company, Pretzel Time, Hot Sam, Pretzelmaker and Mrs. Fields Cookies

Franchisor is seeking new franchise units throughout the U.S., Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Central America, Middle East, Mexico, South America

Veteran Incentives 25% off first-store franchise fee

#70 on Franchise Rankings.com

#136 in Franchise 500 for 2020.

About Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels

Anne Beiler had been baking most of her life, but it wasn't until she began managing a concession stand at a farmer's market in Maryland that she thought about starting a business. The stand served pizzas, pretzels, chips and candy, with the pretzels outselling everything else. Beiler stopped selling pizza and began hand-rolling pretzels in front of her customers, making the snack even more popular. Eventually, Beiler bought her own stand, naming it Auntie Anne's, and, soon two of her brothers were operating Auntie Anne's booths of their own. Today, Auntie Anne's locations serve a variety of pretzels, dipping sauces and drinks.

Join us in putting the hand-rolled deliciousness of Auntie Anne’s® soft pretzels into more people’s hands. We are looking for franchise owners to extend our reach into street side locations, tourist locations, colleges, and more. Our guests savor Auntie Anne’s® pretzels’ unique flavor profile. You’ll value the strong financials, culture that promotes community involvement, and opportunities afforded you by our impressive global footprint. The future is looking bright for our franchise owners. Get in on the goodness now.

As we rise, you shine.

Auntie Anne's® is looking for people with a passion for business, matched by their desire to deliver the highest-quality customer service and hospitality. Candidates should have:

Business Experience
(Restaurant Experience Preferred)

$100K+ Liquid Capital
$300K Net Worth

People Skills
Connected to the Community

Philanthropic Values

Stores can be found in shopping centers, airports and train stations across the United States and Worldwide.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of an Auntie Anne's® franchise ranges from $156,350 to $445,000. This includes $30,000 to $30,400 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Shop within a temporary stand in a farmers’ market, a concession trailer, or a food truck (a “Concession Shop”) is $98,350 to $253,000. This includes $10,000 to $10,400 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.

Veteran Incentives $10,000 off franchise fee

#400 in Franchise 500 for 2020.

Great American Cookie Company vs Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise Comparison

Start-Up Costs and Fees

Business Experience Requirements

Financing Options