Tropik Sun Fruit & Nut vs South Bend Chocolate Company Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Tropik Sun Fruit & Nut vs South Bend Chocolate Company including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Tropik Sun Fruit & Nut Franchise
South Bend Chocolate Company Franchise
Investment $93,000 - $214,000$85,700 - $676,460
Franchise Fee $20,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 6%4%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19801991
Year Franchised 19801997
Term Of Agreement Varies based on lease term4 years
Term Of Agreement Varies based on lease term4 years
Renewal Fee -$150


Business Experience Requirements

 
Tropik Sun Fruit & Nut Franchise
South Bend Chocolate Company Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience

  • Overall qualifications considered; no specific experience is necessary

  • Financing Options

     
    Tropik Sun Fruit & Nut Franchise
    South Bend Chocolate Company Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/No
    Equipment No/YesNo/No
    Inventory No/YesNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Tropik Sun Fruit & Nut Franchise
    South Bend Chocolate Company Franchise
    Training -Ongoing (monthly visits)
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing -Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, 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: 6 - 20

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


    Expansion Plans

     
    Tropik Sun Fruit & Nut Franchise
    South Bend Chocolate Company Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About Tropik Sun Fruit & Nut

    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.

    About South Bend Chocolate Company

    Chocolate is in the Tarner family's blood. When Mark Tarner founded the South Bend Chocolate Company (SBCC) in 1991, he had already spent several years working in his father's chocolate factory. Privately owned and operated, the South Bend Chocolate Company got its start making chocolates under a license from the University of Notre Dame, and currently makes licensed chocolates for other schools, including Indiana University and Purdue University. In addition, South Bend Chocolate Company also wholesales its product line to gift shops, gourmet food stores, coffee shops and gift basket companies throughout the country.
    South Bend Chocolate Company franchises operate retail kiosks, Chocolate Caf'ites and Caf'xpress coffee carts in malls throughout Indiana and other states.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of the Kiosk model ranges from $85,700 to $111,005, and for the Cafe Model range from $340,552 to $676,460.
    For the Kiosk model, this includes $55,000 to $57,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate, and for the Café model includes $57,000 to $61,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate.