Great American Cookie Company vs Southern Maid Donuts Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Great American Cookie Company vs Southern Maid Donuts including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Great American Cookie Company Franchise
Southern Maid Donuts Franchise
Investment $177,700 - $476,135$64,000 - $227,000
Franchise Fee $15,000 - $35,000$5,000
Royalty Fee 6%-
Advertising Fee 1.5%-
Year Founded 1977-
Year Franchised 1977-
Term Of Agreement Concurrent with lease-
Term Of Agreement Concurrent with lease-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Great American Cookie Company Franchise
Southern Maid Donuts Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Great American Cookie Company Franchise
    Southern Maid Donuts 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
     
    Great American Cookie Company Franchise
    Southern Maid Donuts Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 37 hours Classroom Training: 36.5 hours-
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Site Selection -
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app -
    Operations

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    Great American Cookie Company Franchise
    Southern Maid Donuts Franchise
    US Expansion --
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion No-

    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

    "franchiserankingscom"
    #70 on Franchise Rankings.com
    #136 in Franchise 500 for 2020.


    About Southern Maid Donuts

    Southern Maid Donuts began in 1937 by Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Hargrove. A young couple coming out of the throws of the Great Depression, they created Southern Maid because they saw the need in the market for quality donuts. They created their own recipes, which have stood the test of time. Quality ingredients and uncompromised procedures are reason for the continued success of the Hargrove family to this very day.

    The product was so well accepted that besides selling donuts in their privately owned shops that they were sought out by individuals wanting to use Southern Maid products in their own bakeries and stores. The Hargrove couple began to license their trademark and to help individuals realize their dreams of owning their own businesses. Today, Southern Maid is used in over 100 stores.

    The Southern Maid name came about because of being from the South. Mr. and Mrs. Hargrove wanted a name that encompassed a feeling as well as humble southern traditions and memories. Part of this Southern Maid tradition was a large sponsorship for several years of the Louisiana Hayride Show in Shreveport, Louisiana. Many a young entertainer sang the praises of Southern Maid Donuts. An interesting note: Elvis did the only commercial of his life for any product on November 6th, 1954 for Southern Maid Donuts. He sang the jingle. "You can get them piping hot after 4 P.M., you can get them piping hot, Southern Maid Donuts hits the spot, you can get them piping hot after 4 P.M." Elvis frequented the Shreveport store for donuts on his visits to the Louisiana Hayride. Other entertainers that sang the praises of Southern Maid include Minnie Pearl, Johnny Horton, and Johnny Cash. The Johnny Cash version was released on the Best of the Louisiana Hayride Volume 4.

    Southern Maid products are also used institutionally in the form of pancake and muffin mixes. The Hargroves had created a pancake mix for home use. Over time, the mix was given to friends and family members. The requests for the mix got so large that they began to package it in 50-pound bags for selling to hotels and restaurants.

    Southern Maid has remained a tradition in the South because of the continued use of quality ingredients and procedures. We have been family owned since inception in 1937. Though Mr. and Mrs. Hargrove have since passed on, Southern Maid has evolved into the second and third generations of family ownership and management.