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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Cookies in Bloom vs Candy Bouquet including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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Investment | $75,000 - $116,000 | $5,900 - $33,000 |
Franchise Fee | $19,500 | $3,600 - $29,000 |
Royalty Fee | 5% | 0 |
Advertising Fee | - | - |
Year Founded | 1988 | 1989 |
Year Franchised | 1992 | 1993 |
Term Of Agreement | 5 years | 5 years |
Term Of Agreement | 5 years | 5 years |
Renewal Fee | $1K | 25% of original 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/No | No/No |
Start-up Costs | No/No | No/No |
Equipment | No/No | No/No |
Inventory | No/No | No/No |
Receivables | No/No | No/No |
Payroll | No/No | No/No |
Training & Support |
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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 cooperatives | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet |
Marketing | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks |
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) |
Franchise can be run from home. 1% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1 Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (97% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
Expansion Plans |
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US Expansion | Yes | - |
Canada Expansion | No | No |
International Expansion | Yes | Yes |
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.
Flowers and candy have always gone together, but for Margaret McEntire, that combination created a business that now boasts storefront and homebased franchises in 49 states and 44 countries.
Candy Bouquet was born in a Little Rock, Arkansas, garage, where McEntire created arrangements using candies and chocolates in place of flowers. Now franchisees worldwide sell, ship and deliver the bouquets, which can also include cookies, balloons and stuffed animals.