Melting Pot Restaurants vs Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Melting Pot Restaurants vs Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Melting Pot Restaurants Franchise
Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn Franchise
Investment $1,404,320 - $1,824,210$160,500 - $442,500
Franchise Fee $20,000 - $45,000$28,000
Royalty Fee 5%6%
Advertising Fee 1.19-3%1-2%
Year Founded 19752009
Year Franchised 19842013
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee 50% of current franchise fee-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Melting Pot Restaurants Franchise
Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Melting Pot Restaurants Franchise
    Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn 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/Yes-/-
    Payroll No/Yes-/-

    Training & Support
     
    Melting Pot Restaurants Franchise
    Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 288 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours o Two Full Weeks of pre-opening training at our corporate support center o One Full Week of training at your location. o Training on our proprietary recipes, production methods, and packaging. o A detailed operations manual to help guide your day-to-day operations.
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform o Help in locating and setting up your popcorn shop franchise location, whether a kiosk or small storefront. o Local advertising and marketing assistance, including print and online materials, gift cards and customer-loyalty programs, plus social media, email promotions, community networking guidance and more. o Established supplier relationships with approved vendors. o A customized point-of-sale computer system, to guide efficient daily operations and reporting functions. o Ongoing support including remote support, refresher training, and periodic field visits from the corporate team.
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Social media SEO Website development Email marketing -
    Operations 45% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		o Stand-alone stores

    o In-line stores

    o Kiosks

    o Multiple revenue streams: retail, fundraisers, corporate gifting, weddings, web

    o Owner operators preferred

    o 1 � 2 employees

    Expansion Plans
     
    Melting Pot Restaurants Franchise
    Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn Franchise
    US Expansion NoYes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion No-

    Company Overviews

    About Melting Pot Restaurants

    Since 1984, The Melting Pot franchises have opened nationwide, serving a variety of cheese and dessert fondues, salads and entrees including filet mignon, lobster tail, sirloin and breast of chicken, all prepared in different fondue cooking styles. No restaurant experience is required to become a franchisee.

    Seeking new franchise units throughout the U.S., Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Central America, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Mexico,
    South America and Western Europe
    Veteran Incentives  20% off franchise fee

    "Entrepreneur
    #360 in Franchise 500 for 2020.

    About Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn

    Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn Company has taken the nostalgia of hot, fresh movie-theatre popcorn and the old-fashioned idea of providing great customer service and given it a modern twist. The result? A fun and appealing gourmet popcorn franchise opportunity. As a hometown company with a solid history, great brand recognition, and high regard in our community, we have always used the highest quality corn and popped it daily in small batches so it's as fresh as possible for every customer. We can show you how it's done! Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn Company is more than a fresh and tasty treat. It can also be the perfect way to say thank-you, convey greetings, or raise money for a worthwhile cause. Discovering the many ways that popcorn can bring happiness to a wide range of customers and even how it can make a positive difference in your local community might just be the most rewarding part of owning your own gourmet popcorn franchise. If you have a taste for a future that's all about making people happy while creating independence for yourself, consider a Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn franchise! Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn Company appeals to all types of customer groups: young and old, families and corporations. With our array of delicious flavors, just about everyone can find something to love about our popcorn. Customers can even assemble their own custom assortments of colors and flavors for fundraising, special events, and gift giving. And with popcorn balls or frosted nuts to add to the mix, the possibilities for pleasing your customers are nearly endless! This also means that as a franchise owner, operating your own flexible and streamlined storefront or kiosk-based retail food franchise, your potential revenue sources are also broad and varied. o Stand-alone stores o In-line stores o Kiosks o Multiple revenue streams: retail, fundraisers, corporate gifting, weddings, web