Ricky's Candy, Cones & Chaos vs Wetzel's Pretzels Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Ricky's Candy, Cones & Chaos vs Wetzel's Pretzels including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Ricky's Candy, Cones & Chaos Franchise
Wetzel's Pretzels Franchise
Investment $378,500 - $563,800$126,600 - $405,850
Franchise Fee $30,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 5%7%
Advertising Fee -1%
Year Founded 20031994
Year Franchised 20041996
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Ricky's Candy, Cones & Chaos Franchise
Wetzel's Pretzels Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Work well with children

  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    Ricky's Candy, Cones & Chaos Franchise
    Wetzel's Pretzels Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesYes/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Ricky's Candy, Cones & Chaos Franchise
    Wetzel's Pretzels Franchise
    Training - On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op advertising, National media, Regional advertisingAd Templates Social media SEO Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations 30% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10 - 12

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

    20% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10

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


    Expansion Plans

     
    Ricky's Candy, Cones & Chaos Franchise
    Wetzel's Pretzels Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About Ricky's Candy, Cones & Chaos

    NO LONGER FRANCHISING 

    Own Your Own Ricky's Candy, Cones and Chaos Candy Store and Ice Cream Franchise It's A Sweet Opportunity Candy and ice cream combined are a $45 billion industry with an annual growth rate of about 2 percent. Check out this tasty list of facts: *Candy boasts terrific margins. *Ice cream sales have become an all-season business. *Super premium ice cream has been the fastest growing segment of the frozen treats market. There is a growing demographic of young parents who cater birthday parties for their children outside of their homes. Residents of the Northeast consume more candy than any other region in the United States Ricky's Candy, Cones and Chaos is the ultimate ice cream and candy experience for customers and a sweet franchise opportunity for you! It includes thousands of bulk candy choices; a delicious super-premium ice cream you make in the store; candy novelties and other great gifts; and a color-filled party room terrific for kids' birthdays. These three business centers - candy, cones and 'chaos' - provide an all-season business opportunity for the dedicated franchisee. The Sa-weeetist Franchise Support Anywhere Ricky's Candy, Cones and Chaos will give franchise operations unparalleled support including: *Site evaluation and selection. *Lease and contract negotiations. *Staff consultation during construction process. *Name-brand products and proprietary products. *In-house management training program at our flagship location. *On-site operations assistance prior to and during your store opening. *Marketing assistance. *On-going assistance as needed. Ricky's Candy, Cones and Chaos Candy Store and Ice Cream Franchise The Ultimate in Fun and Excitement Ricky's Candy Cones and Chaos is the ultimate ice cream and candy experience; something for kids ages 5 to 85! Families love our "Chaos Center," where they can build their own fabulous sundae. And our candy choices are nothing less than extraordinary! Bin after bin, you'll find thousands of treats to choose from - bag 'em, put 'em in a tin, or have them wrapped for the ultimate candy gift! For the ultimate birthday, team or group event, book our party room! Kids can make their own candy jewelry, share sweet treats with friends, and have loads of fun! Ricky's Candy, Cones and Chaos puts fun first.

    About Wetzel's Pretzels

    Wetzel's Pretzels founded by Rick Wetzel & Bill Phelps, former marketing executives in 1994. 1st Wetzel's Pretzels located in South Bay Galleria in Southern California. First store was opened in 1995 Century City, Hollywood.
    In 1996 Wetzel's Pretzels began franchising. Currently they have locations across United States (Universal City, Staples Center, Dodgers Stadium, Disneyland, Disney world) & internationally. Currently co-branding relationship with Cold Stone Creamery, Swensen's, Juice It Up and more.
    Beginning of 2016 Wetzel's franchise fast food restaurants had 298 locations out of them 269 US locations; 2 in Canada; 19 worldwide; and 8 owned by the company itself.

    Popular products:
    Pretzels, consisting of several different flavors
    Frozen Lemonade, sold in a variety of flavors.
    Frozen Granita, a frozen version of the Italian dessert
     
    The franchisor offers 3 franchise programs:
    1. A single Wetzel's Pretzels Bakery. The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Wetzel's Pretzels Bakery ranges from $164,950 to $405,850. This includes approximately between $42,350 and $50,750 that must be paid to the franchisor. If Wetzel's Pretzels grants you a license to operate a Remote Mobile Unit under a Remote Mobile Unit Addendum to your Franchise Agreement, you will also pay it a fee of $5,000 for a Remote Mobile Unit.
    2. Multiple Wetzel's Pretzels Bakeries within a defined area pursuant to a Multi-Unit Development Agreement. There is an initial development fee of $15,000 multiplied by the number of Bakeries which you must open, plus the balance of the initial franchise fee ($20,000) for your first Franchise Agreement. You will pay an initial franchise fee of $35,000 for each Bakery ($22,500 for a second Bakery in the same mall). However, the franchisor will credit the development fee against the initial franchise fees (at the rate of $15,000 for the second and each subsequent Franchise Agreement).
    3. A single Wetzel's Pretzels Concession Truck or Trailer. The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Wetzel's Pretzels Concession Truck or Trailer ranges from $126,600 to $275,850. This includes approximately between $9,000 and $14,750 that must be paid to the franchisor.
    "Entrepreneur
    #497 in Franchise 500 for 2020.