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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 |
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Investment | $93,000 - $214,000 | $85,700 - $676,460 |
Franchise Fee | $20,000 | $35,000 |
Royalty Fee | 6% | 4% |
Advertising Fee | - | - |
Year Founded | 1980 | 1991 |
Year Franchised | 1980 | 1997 |
Term Of Agreement | Varies based on lease term | 4 years |
Term Of Agreement | Varies based on lease term | 4 years |
Renewal Fee | - | $150 |
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/No |
Start-up Costs | No/Yes | No/No |
Equipment | No/Yes | No/No |
Inventory | No/Yes | No/No |
Receivables | No/No | No/No |
Payroll | No/No | No/No |
Training & Support |
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Training | - | Ongoing (monthly visits) |
Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives | Newsletter, 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 |
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US Expansion | Yes | Yes |
Canada Expansion | No | No |
International Expansion | Yes | No |
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.