T.J. Cinnamons vs LaMar's Donuts Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of T.J. Cinnamons vs LaMar's Donuts including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
T.J. Cinnamons Franchise
LaMar's Donuts Franchise
Investment $22,100 - $39,200$288,500 - $366,500
Franchise Fee $5,000$28,500
Royalty Fee Varies5%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19851960
Year Franchised 19851993
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee Then-current franchise fee-


Business Experience Requirements

 
T.J. Cinnamons Franchise
LaMar's Donuts Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    T.J. Cinnamons Franchise
    LaMar's Donuts Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/No
    Equipment No/NoNo/No
    Inventory No/NoNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    T.J. Cinnamons Franchise
    LaMar's Donuts Franchise
    Training Training program provided through manualAs needed
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Ad slicksCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising
    Operations

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 15

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (75% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    T.J. Cinnamons Franchise
    LaMar's Donuts Franchise
    US Expansion --
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoNo

    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 LaMar's Donuts

    Ray Lamar found his way into the donut business at the age of 17, working as a fryer at a Kansas City, Missouri, shop. Lamar made his way up to being a partner in the company, but World War II cut the partnership short. Upon his return, Lamar earned a degree in economics and began a career as a stockbroker, but donuts remained the business he truly loved.

    In 1960, nearly 30 years after first manning the fryer, Lamar opened his first LaMar's Donuts shop in Kansas City. The company began franchising in 1993 and is now based in Englewood, Colorado.