Au Bon Pain vs I Heart Mac and Cheese Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Au Bon Pain vs I Heart Mac and Cheese including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Au Bon Pain Franchise
I Heart Mac and Cheese Franchise
Investment $2,000,000 - $3,000,000$251,000 - $464,500
Franchise Fee $30,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee 2% Marketing commitment1%
Year Founded -2015
Year Franchised -2017
Term Of Agreement --
Term Of Agreement --
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Au Bon Pain Franchise
I Heart Mac and Cheese Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options
 
Au Bon Pain Franchise
I Heart Mac and Cheese Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/--/-
Start-up Costs -/--/-
Equipment -/--/-
Inventory -/--/-
Receivables -/--/-
Payroll -/--/-

Training & Support
 
Au Bon Pain Franchise
I Heart Mac and Cheese Franchise
Training -On-The-Job Training: 3 days Classroom Training: 5 days
Support -Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations
Marketing -Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media
Operations -Absentee Ownership Allowed Number of Employees Required to Run: 4

Expansion Plans
 
Au Bon Pain Franchise
I Heart Mac and Cheese Franchise
US Expansion -Yes
Canada Expansion --
International Expansion -Yes

Company Overviews

About Au Bon Pain

Because we want to prepare our franchise partners for optimal success from the beginning, we only sign Area Development Agreements (ADA) based on a territorial market with a minimum unit potential of 10-20 locations. (We do not sell single unit agreements.) This ADA multi-unit potential enables our franchisees to build a significant business in an area with solid earnings potential. In order to be considered for an Au Bon Pain franchise, you must have the financial and management resources necessary to develop multiple cafes
Criteria include: * Open cafes in one of the listed expansion areas. * Offer quality real estate sites in the selected territory. * Sign an ADA for a minimum of 10 units. * Have a liquid net worth of $350k per unit, or approximately $2-3M. * Provide poof of financing from a bank or other financial institution. * Offer multi-unit restaurant business experience. * Offer an established management infrastructure within the market you wish to franchise. * Willingness to adhere to the Au Bon Pain system. * A strong desire to succeed, work hard and be part of a winning team.

About I Heart Mac and Cheese

A unique franchise concept in the restaurant industry with no fryers, grease trap systems or hood systems, I Heart Mac & Cheese requires a low investment and can be opened in a small space, such as a mall kiosk or food court. Shopping malls, sports venues, areas close to colleges and universities, and high-traffic pedestrian areas are also ideal locations. With a home office in South Florida, I Heart Mac & Cheese offers franchise owner training, marketing support and ongoing development opportunities to ensure each location’s success.