Smoothie King vs U-Swirl Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Smoothie King vs U-Swirl including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Smoothie King Franchise
U-Swirl Franchise
Investment $269,550 - $845,985$360,000 - $466,000
Franchise Fee $30,000$25,000
Royalty Fee 6%4%
Advertising Fee 3%2%Nat'l + 1%Local
Year Founded 1987-
Year Franchised 1988-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Smoothie King Franchise
U-Swirl Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Smoothie King Franchise
    U-Swirl Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/-
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
    Equipment No/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/Yes-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Smoothie King Franchise
    U-Swirl Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives-
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media-
    Operations 60% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6 - 9

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

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    Smoothie King Franchise
    U-Swirl Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    Company Overviews

    About Smoothie King

    When visits to various doctors did little to relieve the allergies Steve Kuhnau was suffering from, the nurse began reading up on nutrition, hoping a change in diet would help his symptoms. Once he began eating fresh foods and cutting fat out of his diet, Kuhnau started feeling better. His next task was to find a way to tackle the midday fatigue caused by hypoglycemia. Using his nursing expertise and the drink mixing experience he gained as a soda jerk in high school, Kuhnau began experimenting with high protein drinks. The resulting product combined fresh fruits, vitamins and other supplements and inspired the creation of Kuhnau's company, Smoothie King.
    Each Smoothie King store sells smoothies and a variety of vitamins, minerals, low fat snacks and nutritional supplements. Offering 40 percent off its initial franchise fee agreements for the first 40 agreements in 2013 IN St. Louis.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a traditional Smoothie King Business ranges from for an end-cap or in-line location, $269,550 to $545,035, and for a free-standing drive-thru location, $577,100 to $845,985. This includes $28,250 to $36,990 that must be paid to the franchisor.
    If you sign an Area Development Agreement, you also must pay the franchisor a development fee of $12,500 for each Smoothie King franchise you commit to develop after the first franchise. You must develop a minimum of 5 Smoothie King Businesses under the Area Development Agreement.
    Veteran Incentives  20% off franchise fee
    ""  "Entrepreneur

    #14 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #19 in Franchise 500 for 2021.







    About U-Swirl

    U-SWIRL Frozen Yogurt franchises are hot, hot HOT!
    Interested in capitalizing on the frozen yogurt craze sweeping the nation? Look no further - U-SWIRL Frozen Yogurt system is the franchise business opportunity capturing the attention of serious entrepreneurial business owners and established area developers, alike. Read on to learn why! Why U-Swirl? PROVEN EXPERIENCE.

    U-SWIRL's corporate management and advisory team have achieved significant success in the development and expansion of several consumer-focused franchise operations over the past four decades. In March 2009, Healthy Fast Food, through its wholly owned subsidiary U-SWIRL International, Inc., premiered its first Company-owned U-SWIRL Frozen Yogurt store in Las Vegas. In less than eight months, there were six U-SWIRL stores in operation in the Vegas valley, where customers now flock to choose as many yogurt flavors and toppings as they like, and then pay by the ounce for their unique creations. We are now actively engaged in rolling out the profitable U-SWIRL self-serve concept nationwide in those states in which the Company is qualified to offer franchises If you have passion and enthusiasm and looking for a great business to tap in to, please contact U-SWIRL today to learn more about the franchising opportunities available, or fill out our form to the right for a FREE franchise consultation.