Wetzel's Pretzels vs Mrs. Fields Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Wetzel's Pretzels Franchise
Mrs. Fields Franchise
Investment $126,600 - $405,850$166,806 - $410,500
Franchise Fee $35,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 7%6%
Advertising Fee 1%-
Year Founded 19941977
Year Franchised 19961990
Term Of Agreement 10 years7 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years7 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Wetzel's Pretzels Franchise
Mrs. Fields Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • Financing Options

     
    Wetzel's Pretzels Franchise
    Mrs. Fields Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment Yes/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Wetzel's Pretzels Franchise
    Mrs. Fields Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours -
    Support Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Ad Templates Social media SEO Email marketing Loyalty program/app Ad slicks, National media
    Operations 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)

    International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.


    Expansion Plans

     
    Wetzel's Pretzels Franchise
    Mrs. Fields Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    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.








    About Mrs. Fields

    Mrs. Fields Cookies started in 1977 and has been in the Famous Brands portfolio since 2000. Today the company has over
    300 locations in over 20 countries. Mrs. Fields has been a pioneer in cookies and based goods.

    Through its franchisees' retail stores; it is one of the largest retailers of freshly baked, on-premises specialty cookies and brownies in the world and the largest retailer of soft-serve frozen yogurt with live active cultures. Its franchise systems operate through a network of more than 800 franchised and licensed locations throughout the United States and in 25 foreign countries. In addition, it operates an internet and catalog gifting business, and has entered into licensing arrangements that leverage awareness of its core brands among its retail customer base.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a retail store ranges from $251,995 to $410,500.
    This includes $35,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliate.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a retail kiosk
    ranges from $166,806 t0 $233,640.
    This includes $35,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliate.