Cookies in Bloom vs Candy Express Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Cookies in Bloom vs Candy Express including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Cookies in Bloom Franchise
Candy Express Franchise
Investment $75,000 - $116,000$125,000 - $175,000
Franchise Fee $19,500$25,000
Royalty Fee 5%7%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19881988
Year Franchised 19921989
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Renewal Fee $1K$2K


Business Experience Requirements

 
Cookies in Bloom Franchise
Candy Express Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • Creativity; customer service; people skills
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Cookies in Bloom Franchise
    Candy Express Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/Yes
    Equipment No/NoNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/Yes
    Payroll No/NoNo/Yes

    Training & Support

     
    Cookies in Bloom Franchise
    Candy Express Franchise
    Training On-the-job training at corporate-approved shop-
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertisingCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising
    Operations International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 20% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 4

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

    International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 30% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 4

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (75% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Cookies in Bloom Franchise
    Candy Express Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Cookies in Bloom

    Mary Pinac had been working in the wholesale apparel business and was tiring of dressing up and traveling every day. Her husband, Robert, was involved in the executive suite industry until the real estate market faltered in the late '80s. Looking for a new business they could start together, the Pinacs decided cookie gifts were the idea they wanted to pursue. In 1989, the couple founded Cookies in Bloom, a store that creates and ships bouquets and gifts made with sugar shortbread cookies. The Pinacs began franchising their concept in 1991, and now the company's franchisees operate stores in the West, Midwest and South making cookie arrangements for all holidays and occasions.

    About Candy Express

    Beginning with four company-owned stores in1988, Candy Express locations have served a variety of sweets to customers in malls and shopping centers throughout the United States and into Saudi Arabia, the site of the company's first international license.