Schakolad Chocolate Factory vs River Street Sweets Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Schakolad Chocolate Factory vs River Street Sweets including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Schakolad Chocolate Factory Franchise
River Street Sweets Franchise
Investment $121,500 - $153,500$419,550 - $844,000
Franchise Fee $39,500$40,000
Royalty Fee $600-$1K/mo.5%
Advertising Fee $100/mo2%
Year Founded 19951973
Year Franchised 19992015
Term Of Agreement 5 years-
Term Of Agreement 5 years-
Renewal Fee 20% of current franchise fee-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Schakolad Chocolate Factory Franchise
River Street Sweets Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • Prospective franchisees must have solid store managerial experience and excellent supervisory, sales and guest relations skills. Previous experience in customer service and/or marketing is a plus! Our fun and friendly franchise concept appeals to a wide array of potential guests. With that being said, the franchise owner will be able to provide an interactive candy experience for happy guests from all walks of life.

    Financing Options

     
    Schakolad Chocolate Factory Franchise
    River Street Sweets 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/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Schakolad Chocolate Factory Franchise
    River Street Sweets Franchise
    Training -Initial training includes extensive training about the brand's proven systems, policies and procedures at our corporate office in Savannah, Georgia. Franchisees are provided with instructors, facilities, and materials for the initial training program. On-The-Job Training: 183 hours Classroom Training: 18 hours
    Support Newsletter, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Site Selection
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Regional advertisingAd Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media Loyalty program/app
    Operations 0% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2 - 5

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    Schakolad Chocolate Factory Franchise
    River Street Sweets Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    Company Overviews

    About Schakolad Chocolate Factory

    When Edgar Schaked graduated from Florida International University in Miami with a degree in mechanical engineering, he told his father he didn't want to be an engineer, he wanted to be a chocolate maker. Schaked's father, Baruch, had been making chocolates for more than 25 years, working in a chocolate factory in the family's native Argentina, studying different techniques throughout Europe, and opening his own shop in Miami. From his father, Schaked learned the essentials of chocolate making and together they opened Schakolad Chocolate Factory in Winter Park, Florida, in 1995. Each shop features handmade chocolate treats including truffles, boxed assortments and chocolate body paint. Schakolad Chocolate Factory also custom-designs chocolate gifts and promotional items for corporate clients.

    About River Street Sweets

    River Street Sweets, - Savannah's Candy Kitchen is an old-fashioned candy store that is family-owned and delivers handmade southern sweets to its guests. It offers a variety of delicious handmade candies such as its World Famous Pralines, Chocolate Loggerheads, old-fashioned caramel apples, homemade ice cream and a huge assortment of nostalgic hard candy right in front of guests. The River Street Sweets - Savannah's Candy Kitchen concept enriches the lives of its guests by providing fresh handmade southern candies served in a clean and fun environment. This franchise program is a partnership of two longstanding candy shops with roots in Savannah Georgia, River Street Sweets and Savannah's Candy Kitchen. Both are owned and operated by members of the Strickland family. The shops have more than a dozen locations across Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee and an extremely strong mail and web ordering presence. River Street Sweets - Savannah's Candy Kitchen is now extending franchise opportunities throughout the South and in other select U.S. markets to qualified candidates. River Street Sweets - Savannah's Candy Kitchen will show you how to make our gourmet Southern candies by hand in your own special, old-fashioned candy and ice cream store environment, which is designed to work in a wide range of settings and location types. Franchise owners have the option to choose what size and setting he/she would like to operate in. Its largest models require 2,000-3,000 sq. ft. and are located primarily in high traffic tourist locations. OR, they can choose one of their smaller locations that are an estimated 750-1,000 sq. ft. Franchisees will also have the opportunity to share in a portion of revenues obtained through our mail and online ordering and gift items. This enables franchisees to build a sweet business through these multiple product lines and revenue streams. 
     $5,000 discount on Franchise fee to veterans.
     Owners converting into a River Street Sweets - Savannah's Candy Kitchen receive an $11,000 discount.