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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Van Houtte vs Distinctly Tea including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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Investment | $250,000 - $300,000 | $160,000 - $230,000 |
Franchise Fee | $27,500 | $20,000 |
Royalty Fee | 5% | - |
Advertising Fee | - | - |
Year Founded | 1919 | 2003 |
Year Franchised | 1983 | 2009 |
Term Of Agreement | 10 years | - |
Term Of Agreement | 10 years | - |
Renewal Fee | - | - |
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/No | -/- |
Start-up Costs | No/No | -/- |
Equipment | No/No | -/- |
Inventory | No/No | -/- |
Receivables | No/No | -/- |
Payroll | No/No | -/- |
Training & Support |
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Training | - | - |
Support | Meetings, Grand opening, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives | - |
Marketing | Co-op advertising, Regional advertising | - |
Operations |
5% of all franchisees own more than one unit
Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) | - |
Expansion Plans |
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US Expansion | - | - |
Canada Expansion | No | Yes |
International Expansion | Yes | - |
Albert-Louis Van Houtte, a French immigrant, set up his first grocery store in Montreal in 1919. Van Houtte stocked the store with specialty products from Europe, including coffee. Each day he would roast small batches of coffee in the back of his shop, and soon Van Houtte had built up a reputation in Montreal for selling quality coffee. In the more than 80 years since its founder began roasting European coffees, A.L. Van Houtte Cafe-Bistro has grown beyond Montreal and has expanded its menu. Today, each cafe-bistro serves a variety of coffee and espresso drinks, as well as teas, soups and sandwiches.
As tea is the second most popular beverage in the world behind water, Distinctly Tea has available over 350 varieties to satisfy the full range of tastes that have developed. Commencing business in 2003 in Stratford Ontario, Peter Barker has developed a successful retail format and a thriving tea blending business that serves this growing segment of the beverage industry. Locations may also retail tea beverages by the cup if appropriate.