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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Cookies in Bloom vs Sir Chocolate 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 | $41,300 - $136,500 |
Franchise Fee | $19,500 | $25,000 |
Royalty Fee | 5% | 5% |
Advertising Fee | - | - |
Year Founded | 1988 | 2003 |
Year Franchised | 1992 | 2004 |
Term Of Agreement | 5 years | 7 years |
Term Of Agreement | 5 years | 7 years |
Renewal Fee | $1K | $5K/$10K |
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 | * Available at headquarters: 3 days * At franchisee's location: 3-5 days |
Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives | - |
Marketing | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, 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) | * Franchise can be run from home * Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2 * Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
Expansion Plans |
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US Expansion | Yes | Yes |
Canada Expansion | 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.
NO LONGER FRANCHISING
Sir Chocolate began as a one-man operation with only a single chocolate fountain. Since then, the company has expanded from a homebased business into a combination warehouse, kitchen and office. The lone fountain has grown into a mobile chocolate fountain cart made for special events, a retail outlet and fondue gift baskets. Franchisees have three options for running their business: catering, retail and a retail-vending cart.