Dippin' Dots vs sweetFrog Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Dippin' Dots vs sweetFrog including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Dippin' Dots Franchise
sweetFrog Franchise
Investment $112,204 - $366,950$95,600 - $477,500
Franchise Fee $15,000$15,000 - $30,000
Royalty Fee Varies5%
Advertising Fee Varies1.5%
Year Founded 19882009
Year Franchised 20002012
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Renewal Fee Varies-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Dippin' Dots Franchise
sweetFrog Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Dippin' Dots Franchise
    sweetFrog Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/No-/Yes
    Equipment No/No-/Yes
    Inventory No/No-/Yes
    Receivables No/No-/Yes
    Payroll No/No-/Yes

    Training & Support
     
    Dippin' Dots Franchise
    sweetFrog Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 12 hours Classroom Training: 19 hours On-The-Job Training: 24 hours Classroom Training: 24 hours Additional Training: As needed
    Support Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Ad Templates Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations 95% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    50% of all franchisees own more than one unit.

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2 - 4.

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (50% of current franchisees are owner/operators).


    Expansion Plans
     
    Dippin' Dots Franchise
    sweetFrog Franchise
    US Expansion YesNo
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About Dippin' Dots

    Research biotechnologist Curt Jones used his expertise in cryogenic freezing processes to find new ways to produce ice cream. After nearly a year of experimenting with the idea of flash-freezing his family's homemade ice cream, Jones created and sold his first cups of Dippin' Dots ice cream in 1988. Because of Jones' flash-freezing process, Dippin' Dots ice cream forms into little balls (hence the term 'dots'), but unlike freeze-dried products, the ice cream can still melt.

    Seeking new franchise units Worldwide.

    Veteran Incentives  15% off franchise fee
    "Entrepreneur
    #207 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #276 in Franchise 500 for 2021.




    About sweetFrog

    Shortly after moving to Richmond, Virginia, in 2009, Derek Cha brought the West-Coast frozen yogurt trend to his new home by opening the first sweetFrog store. In addition to a variety of frozen yogurt flavors and toppings, sweetFrog locations offer waffle cones and bowls, Belgian waffles, banana splits and parfaits.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a sweetFrog Shop is $231,500 - $477,500 for a Shop in Traditional Venue, $95,600 - $304,000 for a Kiosk Shop or Standard Floor Plan Shop in Non-Traditional Venue and $122,400 - $219,300 for a Truck.

    #23 on Entrepreneur's ranking of the top 150 franchises offering incentives and other programs to help veterans become franchisees

    Seeking new franchise units throughout the U.S., Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Central America, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Mexico, Philippines, South America and Western Europe    
    Veteran Incentives  25% off franchise fee (50% off in May and November)