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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Cookies in Bloom vs Chocolate Works 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 | $284,800 - $436,600 |
Franchise Fee | $19,500 | $50,000 |
Royalty Fee | 5% | 5% |
Advertising Fee | - | $300/month Nat'l+1%local |
Year Founded | 1988 | - |
Year Franchised | 1992 | - |
Term Of Agreement | 5 years | 5 years +5+5 |
Term Of Agreement | 5 years | 5 years +5+5 |
Renewal Fee | $1K | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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Experience | You don't need to have specific experience in the candy and confections business to become a franchise owner with Chocolate Works. We look for people who have a passion for our products, and who have some retail experience and/or customer service skills. We also prefer franchise owners who will be directly involved in the operations and growth of their Chocolate Works franchises. In turn, we'll provide the support franchisees need to run their Chocolate Works business. We do, of course, also expect that franchisees have the right amount of capital to invest in the business. |
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Financing Options |
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In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
Franchise Fees | No/No | -/- |
Start-up Costs | No/No | -/- |
Equipment | No/No | -/- |
Inventory | No/No | -/- |
Receivables | No/No | -/- |
Payroll | 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 | - |
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) | - |
Expansion Plans |
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US Expansion | Yes | - |
Canada Expansion | No | - |
International Expansion | 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.
There are a lot of reasons to own a Chocolate Works franchise. Have fun, create smiles, and build wealth are a few reasons. Others include that Chocolate Works is a business model with few employees, high margin products, smiling customers and no receivables.Chocolate Works offers 3 revenue streams under one roof: Retail chocolate and candy sales: Rows and bins of colorful, delectable treats keep customers of all types coming back for more goodies. Ice cream and coffee add to the appeal! Special chocolate events: From birthday parties, candy-making workshops, to ladies' nights out, and more - with Chocolate Works, the fun gets even sweeter! Commercial chocolate gifts: Custom chocolate logos and other branded specialties give your commercial clients a special way to promote their brands and thank their own customers. Flexible Designs: Meet your customer's demands with your own specialty gourmet chocolate venue. Our locations are designed to be flexible, featuring retail display cases, workshop areas, and party rooms. They can work in a variety of retail settings and sizes, and inventory can be adjusted with product selections that cater to local tastes, as well as the franchise owner's preference for manufacturing their chocolate creations in-house or ordering final products from our corporate production facilities. As a Chocolate Works franchise owner, you can offer a wide variety of specialty gourmet chocolate and other unique products to new and repeat customers alike, both retail and commercial. It's an appealing, multi-faceted business that gives franchise owners multiple ways to impact the bottom line. And, of course, as a franchise owner, you can do it all with confidence, knowing you are supported by a team of experienced professionals Make a Sweet Dream Come True. Find out how you can join the Chocolate Works gourmet candy franchise program.