Smoothie King vs Yogurt Lab Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Smoothie King Franchise
Yogurt Lab Franchise
Investment $269,550 - $845,985$313,500 - $557,000
Franchise Fee $30,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 6%6% of Gross Revenues
Advertising Fee 3%1% local
Year Founded 19872011
Year Franchised 19882013
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Smoothie King Franchise
Yogurt Lab Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Smoothie King Franchise
    Yogurt Lab 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
    Yogurt Lab Franchise
    Training -

    Before you open your Store, we will train you and one of your manager-level employees to operate a YOGURT L AB Store. We will provide approximately eight days of training (although the specific number of days depends on our opinion of your experience and needs) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, or another location we designate. You must attend the entire training program. Additional people beyond the first two may attend initial training if you pay our then- current training charge for each additional person (currently $500 per person per day). You also must pay for all travel and living expenses that you and your employees incur and for your employees' wages and workers' compensation insurance while they attend our initial training program. Training will occur after you sign the Franchise Agreement and while you are developing the Store. You and your attendees must complete the entire training program to our satisfaction before you may open your Store
    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
    Yogurt Lab 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 Yogurt Lab

    Yogurt Lab features fresh-made premium frozen yogurt coupled with quality toppings and an unmatched customer experience compared to other ordinary, everyday frozen yogurt shops. How? We make all of our delicious flavors fresh in our stores daily. We’ve also built a powerful formula for success with a premium brand that offers a healthy dessert, snack alternative, and even a meal replacement (have you tried Greek Yogurt w/fresh fruit, honey granola and oatmeal flakes?) Yogurt Lab has become the ideal gathering place for families, friends, and even for business. And, Yogurt Lab has proven its success in the Twin Cities, one of the nation’s coldest metropolitan markets.