Tropical Smoothie Cafe vs Swirls and Twirls Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Tropical Smoothie Cafe vs Swirls and Twirls including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
Investment |
$198,500 - $543,500 | $335,000 - $664,750 |
Franchise Fee |
$30,000 | $30,000 |
Royalty Fee |
6% | 6% |
Advertising Fee |
3% | - |
Year Founded |
1997 | 2011 |
Year Franchised |
1998 | 2012 |
Term Of Agreement |
15 years | - |
Term Of Agreement |
15 years | - |
Renewal Fee |
- | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
Experience |
Hands on management preferred, restaurant experience preferred (but not required), ability to follow a business system, financial capabilities, general business acumen, ability to work well in a team environment, and passion!!! | We are looking for highly self-motivated business minded people searching for independent ownership. We look for franchisees that are outgoing and dedicated to building connections within the community. Our franchisees must also be financially qualified. We have multi-unit opportunities available for those who fulfill specific qualifications. |
Financing Options |
|
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 |
Training |
We believe in setting up our franchisees for success.
We provide the following training: four-week training program, consisting of two weeks in a nearby Cafe, one week in a classroom setting at our Support Center in Atlanta, Georgia and one week onsite for your Grand Opening.
| You will receive 10 days of training at our location in West Islip, New York covering Swirls and Twirls Systems
and Procedures, Food Safety, Customer Service, Finance, Administrative procedures and Local Store Marketing. |
Support |
Newsletter
Meetings/Conventions
Toll-Free Line
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security/Safety Procedures
Field Operations
Site Selection
Franchisee Intranet Platform | Swirls and Twirls provides its franchisees with support from site selection approvals to store opening assistance,
training, ongoing consultation, marketing programs and materials, new products and more. |
Marketing |
Co-op Advertising
Ad Templates
National Media
Regional Advertising
Social media
SEO
Website development
Email marketing
Loyalty program/app | - |
Operations |
Tropical Smoothie Cafe has a very simple business operation since we do not utilize any fryers, grills, hooding systems or serve alcohol in the cafe.
Absentee Ownership Allowed
Number of Employees Required to Run: 10 - 20 | - |
Expansion Plans |
US Expansion |
Yes | Yes |
Canada Expansion |
No | - |
International Expansion |
Yes | - |
Company Overviews
About Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Tropical Smoothie Cafe offers genuine natural product smoothies, wraps, sandwiches, flatbreads, and servings of mixed greens. Our more beneficial decisions are what today's customers request and search out. Maybe that is the reason in 2015, the main half of our franchisees had normal gross offers of $806,920*.
Our main goal is to motivate a more beneficial way of life by serving astounding smoothies and nourishment with a touch of tropical fun. On the off chance that you play to win, contribute well and turn into a Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise Owner at this point!
*Based on date-book year 2015, 77 of 359, or 21.4%, of the Cafes picked up or outperformed this business level. This data shows up in Item 19 of our Franchise Disclosure Document. Your outcomes may vary. There is no confirmation that you will do also.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a single-unit
Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise ranges from $198,500 to $543,500. This
range includes $37,500 that must be paid to the franchisor, consisting
of a franchise fee of $30,000 and a grand opening marketing contribution
of $7,500.
If a franchisee chooses to develop multiple units, a $20,000
franchise fee must be paid to the franchisor for the second and each
additional unit.
Veteran Incentives 50% off franchise fee
#3 in Gator's Top franchises.
#18 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
#14 in Franchise 500 for 2021.
About Swirls and Twirls
Swirls and Twirls was created to be the ultimate healthy indulgence and the most innovative self-serve frozen yogurt experience out there. We are all about promoting creative expression - in all forms.
Every Swirls and Twirls Franchise is:
Fun, simple, highly scalable
Unique, creative, completely innovative
Owner operated, absentee operated or semi-absentee operated
Requires minimal inventory and a low payroll roster
Includes comprehensive training and support
Our shops
Our upscale and contemporary shops are designed to provide our guests with an atmosphere that promotes fun and creativity while encouraging independence and nutritious eating habits. Every Swirls and Twirls boast a vibrant and unique interior, striking architectural lighting, music from a state-of-the-art sound system, a warm and inviting interior, and free Wi-Fi.
Leveraging technology to enhance the Swirls experience, on-site touch screens have been incorporated into every shop. One provides easy access to ingredient, nutrition and allergy information while the other, a 55" live Facebook monitor, allows customers to post status updates and photos, and see them appear online instantly.
Our Products
All of our premium yogurt flavors are kosher and include gluten-free, non-fat, low-fat, no sugar added, dairy-free varieties, and are as low as 70 calories per ½ cup serving. Every one of our shops features eight dual yogurt dispensers with a third handle in the middle that allows customers to create a most unexpected, uniquely swirled flavor. With 24 flavors on tap and 50+ toppings available all the time, visitors are only limited by their own imaginations.
In addition to our one-of-a-kind in-store experience, our new Swirls To Go products are growing in popularity and are flying out of all of our shops faster than we ever could have imagined. Our grab-and-go and easily customized products include:
Swirl Quarts - Their favorite Swirls flavors in pre-packaged quarts
Swirl Cakes - Birthday, anniversary or special occasion frozen yogurt cakes
Swirlwiches - Soft serve cookie sandwiches, with or without toppings
Swirls Cannoli - Swirls frozen yogurt hand piped into a fresh baked cannoli shell topped with mini chocolate chips.
The Opportunity
Starting a franchise with Swirls and Twirls allows you to capitalize on our proven business model and our tremendously growing momentum in this expanding $14 billion dollar industry. Over the last 18 months we’ve opened 9 new shops, with 3 more on the way, and plans in the works for expansion into NYC, NJ and Boston.
We are dedicated to providing you the systems, training, and tools that we have developed and refined over the years, to grow your business within the thriving market segment of self serve frozen yogurt. We provide our guests with a fun, creative, family and eco-friendly environment and products that are made with the highest quality ingredients at every store. As a franchisee, you’ll receive the benefit of our brand recognition and our support, beginning with site selection and training thru ongoing operational, research and development and marketing efforts. We will be your champion every step of the way.