Blue Sky Creamery vs sweetFrog Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Blue Sky Creamery vs sweetFrog including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Blue Sky Creamery Franchise
sweetFrog Franchise
Investment $138,750 - $401,000$95,600 - $477,500
Franchise Fee $25,000 - $35,000$15,000 - $30,000
Royalty Fee -5%
Advertising Fee -1.5%
Year Founded 20002009
Year Franchised 20042012
Term Of Agreement -10 years
Term Of Agreement -10 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Blue Sky Creamery Franchise
sweetFrog Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
Blue Sky Creamery Franchise
sweetFrog Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/--/Yes
Start-up Costs -/--/Yes
Equipment -/--/Yes
Inventory -/--/Yes
Receivables -/--/Yes
Payroll -/--/Yes

Training & Support

 
Blue Sky Creamery Franchise
sweetFrog Franchise
Training - On-The-Job Training: 24 hours Classroom Training: 24 hours Additional Training: As needed
Support -Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing -Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
Operations -

50% of all franchisees own more than one unit.

Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2 - 4.

Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (50% of current franchisees are owner/operators).


Expansion Plans

 
Blue Sky Creamery Franchise
sweetFrog Franchise
US Expansion -No
Canada Expansion -No
International Expansion -No

Company Overviews

About Blue Sky Creamery

In 2001, TJ and Will successfully demonstrated the Nitro Freeze process with a second-generation prototype at the Iowa State Fair, the Clay County Fair, and the Tulsa State Fair. The second-generation prototype implemented several technology advances improving reliability, ease of use, cleaning, and product quality. In 2002, the concession operation was expanded by adding the Minnesota State Fair. And the first retail location, a new ice cream shop called the Blue Sky Creamery, opened in Ankeny, Iowa. Plans were then completed for a new production model Nitro Freeze machine, the NF-3500. Armed with this new design, the marketing of the machines was launched at the IAAPA trade show in November, in Orlando, Florida.
In 2004, the Blue Sky Creamery Ice Cream Cafe Franchise concept was rolled out and the first franchise store opened in Minnesota. Additional Blue Sky Creamery locations have been opened in West Des Moines, Iowa and St. Louis, MO. Buy Blue Sky Creamery Ice Cream, Gelto and Coffee Online In 2008 and 2009, Blue Sky Creamery had expanded its mobile operations to more than 25 events and started offering Mobile Franchise opportunities. From Miami to Las Vegas to Columbus to Calgary, the Nitro Freeze process has been sweeping the continent! Mobile Franchise have been granted in Eastern Iowa, Wisconsin, Oregon, North Carolina, Phoenix, and Las Vegas so far. In 2009, demand for our ice cream in different parts of the nation led us to offer pints of Blue Sky Creamery ice cream and gelato available online to be shipped right to your door!

About sweetFrog

Shortly after moving to Richmond, Virginia, in 2009, Derek Cha brought the West-Coast frozen yogurt trend to his new home by opening the first sweetFrog store. In addition to a variety of frozen yogurt flavors and toppings, sweetFrog locations offer waffle cones and bowls, Belgian waffles, banana splits and parfaits.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a sweetFrog Shop is $231,500 - $477,500 for a Shop in Traditional Venue, $95,600 - $304,000 for a Kiosk Shop or Standard Floor Plan Shop in Non-Traditional Venue and $122,400 - $219,300 for a Truck.

#23 on Entrepreneur's ranking of the top 150 franchises offering incentives and other programs to help veterans become franchisees

Seeking new franchise units throughout the U.S., Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Central America, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Mexico, Philippines, South America and Western Europe    
Veteran Incentives  25% off franchise fee (50% off in May and November)