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Updated RecentlyT.J. Cinnamons vs Mrs. Fields Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of T.J. Cinnamons vs Mrs. Fields including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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| Investment | $22,100 - $39,200 | $166,806 - $410,500 |
| Franchise Fee | $5,000 | $30,000 |
| Royalty Fee | Varies | 6% |
| Advertising Fee | - | - |
| Year Founded | 1985 | 1977 |
| Year Franchised | 1985 | 1990 |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 7 years |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 7 years |
| Renewal Fee | Then-current franchise 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 | No/Yes |
| Start-up Costs | No/No | No/Yes |
| Equipment | No/No | No/Yes |
| Inventory | No/No | No/Yes |
| Receivables | No/No | No/No |
| Payroll | No/No | No/No |
Training & Support |
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| Training | Training program provided through manual | - |
| Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives |
| Marketing | Ad slicks | Ad slicks, National media |
| Operations |
Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. |
International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses
Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. |
Expansion Plans |
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| US Expansion | - | - |
| Canada Expansion | No | No |
| International Expansion | No | Yes |
Company Overviews
About T.J. Cinnamons
When Ted and Joyce Rice first started selling cinnamon rolls at state fairs and rodeos, they were just looking to make some extra money and add to their retirement fund. Yet the demand for their sticky product was so great they were forced to turn their parttime venture into a fulltime T.J. Cinnamons bakery in Kansas City. The company began franchising and grew to nearly 250 locations in the late 1980s. But by the mid-'90s a declining economy, lower traffic, and inexperienced operators left only 47 bakeries operating. Arby's parent company acquired the business in 1996 and has since revived the bakery concept to be an add-on business that can be combined with any existing restaurant.
About Mrs. Fields
Through its franchisees' retail stores; it is one of the largest retailers of freshly baked, on-premises specialty cookies and brownies in the world and the largest retailer of soft-serve frozen yogurt with live active cultures. Its franchise systems operate through a network of more than 800 franchised and licensed locations throughout the United States and in 25 foreign countries. In addition, it operates an internet and catalog gifting business, and has entered into licensing arrangements that leverage awareness of its core brands among its retail customer base.