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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Tropik Sun Fruit & Nut vs Schakolad Chocolate Factory including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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Investment | $93,000 - $214,000 | $121,500 - $153,500 |
Franchise Fee | $20,000 | $39,500 |
Royalty Fee | 6% | $600-$1K/mo. |
Advertising Fee | - | $100/mo |
Year Founded | 1980 | 1995 |
Year Franchised | 1980 | 1999 |
Term Of Agreement | Varies based on lease term | 5 years |
Term Of Agreement | Varies based on lease term | 5 years |
Renewal Fee | - | 20% of current franchise fee |
Business Experience Requirements |
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Experience | ||
Financing Options |
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In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
Franchise Fees | No/Yes | No/Yes |
Start-up Costs | No/Yes | No/Yes |
Equipment | No/Yes | No/Yes |
Inventory | No/Yes | No/Yes |
Receivables | No/No | No/No |
Payroll | No/No | No/No |
Training & Support |
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Training | - | - |
Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives | Newsletter, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives |
Marketing | - | Co-op advertising, Regional advertising |
Operations |
10% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6 - 8
Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (40% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
0% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2 - 5
Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
Expansion Plans |
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US Expansion | Yes | Yes |
Canada Expansion | No | No |
International Expansion | Yes | Yes |
Tropik Sun began in the summer of 1980 in downtown Chicago with a basic offering of 20 varieties of nuts, 16 types of dried fruits, a dozen trail mixes, carob and yogurt-covered nuts and fruits. Today Tropik Sun has evolved to include a diversified and wide variety of "fun-munchies", gift items and thirst-quenching refreshments. Tropik Sun will likely be known as the greatest "fun-munchie" store in the history of shopping malls! Tropik Sun is proud to serve quality products that reflect the popular tastes of our ageless customers.
When Edgar Schaked graduated from Florida International University in Miami with a degree in mechanical engineering, he told his father he didn't want to be an engineer, he wanted to be a chocolate maker. Schaked's father, Baruch, had been making chocolates for more than 25 years, working in a chocolate factory in the family's native Argentina, studying different techniques throughout Europe, and opening his own shop in Miami. From his father, Schaked learned the essentials of chocolate making and together they opened Schakolad Chocolate Factory in Winter Park, Florida, in 1995. Each shop features handmade chocolate treats including truffles, boxed assortments and chocolate body paint. Schakolad Chocolate Factory also custom-designs chocolate gifts and promotional items for corporate clients.