Bruster's Real Ice Cream vs Lovin' Spoons Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Bruster's Real Ice Cream vs Lovin' Spoons including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Bruster's Real Ice Cream Franchise
Lovin' Spoons Franchise
Investment $229,200 - $1,315,000$385,000 - $493,000
Franchise Fee $35,000$25,000
Royalty Fee 5%6%
Advertising Fee 3%-
Year Founded 19892010
Year Franchised 19932011
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Bruster's Real Ice Cream Franchise
Lovin' Spoons Franchise
Experience *20% CAPITAL IN THE PROJECT. *DEDICATION TO EITHER OPERATING OR OVERSEEING *A MANAGER THAT WORKS APPROPRIATE RETAIL HOURS CULTIVATING AND MOTIVATING YOUTH. *INVOLVEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY-

Financing Options

 
Bruster's Real Ice Cream Franchise
Lovin' Spoons Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees No/Yes-/-
Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
Equipment No/Yes-/-
Inventory No/Yes-/-
Receivables No/Yes-/-
Payroll No/Yes-/-

Training & Support

 
Bruster's Real Ice Cream Franchise
Lovin' Spoons Franchise
Training On-The-Job Training: 68 hours Classroom Training: 12 hours In addition to intensive classroom instruction, you'll also get hands-on training in working stores to learn the Lovin' Spoons systems and operating procedures.
Support *Real Estate Review and approval *Project Management *Marketing program and materials *procurement of products for operation *operations manager to support in your opening and ongoing consultations at your storePurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform *Site review and selection *Demographics studies *Prototype construction plans and store design guidance. Operations Support Our detailed training will help you feel comfortable with managing your staff, financials and in-store technology, and our confidential comprehensive operations manual will be a useful day-to-day reference guide. Vendor Relationships We'll help you take advantage of our special relationships with equipment, food, paper goods and other key vendors and suppliers. Marketing Support From your frozen yogurt franchise Grand Opening celebration to ongoing promotional ideas and programs throughout the year, Lovin' Spoons features a proven marketing approach including detailed marketing manuals and strategies, social media campaigns, a custom web page for your store and access to our marketing experts. Online Franchise Resources Our user-friendly online franchise portal will provide you with easy access to branded materials, signage, updated manuals and more. You can also quickly communicate with Lovin' Spoons corporate leadership through contact forms and collaborate with other franchisees in an online forum.
Marketing Complete assortment of templates and plans annually along with the support of a field marketing representative for more one on one support.

Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app

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Operations Absentee Ownership Allowed

Number of Employees Required to Run: 15 - 30

-

Expansion Plans

 
Bruster's Real Ice Cream Franchise
Lovin' Spoons Franchise
US Expansion YesYes
Canada Expansion No-
International Expansion No-

Company Overviews

About Bruster's Real Ice Cream

Consistently ranked among the nation's top Franchises by Entrepreneur Magazine, Bruster's Real Ice Cream is one of the fastest growing ice cream franchises. Bruster's Real Ice Cream started as a family-owned ice cream shop in 1989 when founder Bruce Reed opened his first store in Bridgewater, PA. Bruce grew up in the food service business working at his family's diner just blocks away from where he opened the first Bruster's ice cream store. Today, Bruster's has more than 230 stores in the eastern United States from New Hampshire to Florida, with a majority of them being locally owned and operated. Bruster's Real Ice Cream has been consistently ranked by Entrepreneur magazine as one of the nation's leading franchise companies. Bruster's philosophy is very simple. We believe that ice cream is one of life's great, simple pleasures that can be shared with family and friends of all ages. Bruster's Real Ice Cream store owners and managers share in that philosophy and our commitment to providing only the highest quality products and service to our customers. They are highly skilled experts in making only the freshest ice cream with the finest ingredients. Our owners and managers continue to rotate flavors to keep their product offering new and exciting every time a customer visits the store.

In addition, Bruster's Real Ice Cream is constantly developing and testing new products based on customer feedback.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Bruster’s franchised business is between $508,000 and $1,315,000 for a freestanding Unit, between $229,200 and $584,500 for an endcapUnit. This includes $35,000 that must be paid to the Franchisor or its affiliate(s) for a Unit.

Seeking new franchise units throughout the U.S., Asia, Canada, Central America, Middle East, Mexico, Philippines and South America    

#54 on Entrepreneur's ranking of the top 150 franchises offering incentives and other programs to help veterans become franchisees
Veteran Incentives  50% off franchise fee

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In Franchise Business Reviews Top 200.

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#23 in Gator's Top franchises.



About Lovin' Spoons

When we began the journey that led to the founding of Lovin' Spoons, we were committed to a simple vision: provide the very best frozen yogurt and toppings available and pair them with a unique atmosphere that generates excitement. Prior to starting the company, we spent a year in yogurt shops across the country, equipping ourselves with the best practices that would ultimately become the foundation of our successful concept. With the groovy decade of the 1970′s near and dear to our heart, we knew this exciting era could be the natural inspiration for our unique and expressive brand and in-store experience. Our hometown of Savannah, GA, was a natural place to bring Lovin' Spoons to life, and the award-winning stores have been embraced by customers and the community beyond our wildest dreams. Unlike typical cookie cutter yogurt stores, our loyal guests have frequently noted that Lovin' Spoons stores truly have a soul. This is the ultimate compliment, and is a clear differentiator in the market. Our concept was built from the ground up to be a growing frozen yogurt franchise, and we are prepared to equip you with the tools and support you need to bring the Lovin' to your community. Join us as we look to expand the unique Lovin' Spoons frozen yogurt experience to customers across the country. We are eagerly seeking passionate and enthusiastic franchisees to join this groovy ride! Honorably discharged veterans receive $10,000 off of initial franchise fee of $25K.