Firehouse Subs vs Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Firehouse Subs vs Tropical Smoothie Cafe including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Firehouse Subs Franchise
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise
Investment $57,502 - $868,696$198,500 - $543,500
Franchise Fee $20,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 6%6%
Advertising Fee 3-5%3%
Year Founded 19941997
Year Franchised 19951998
Term Of Agreement -15 years
Term Of Agreement -15 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Firehouse Subs Franchise
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise
Experience 1. Minimum of $80k to invest 2. Credit score of 650+ 3. Strong inner drive for excellence 4. Devotion to your Firehouse Subs business 5. Motivated and community-minded 6. Must love subs!Hands on management preferred, restaurant experience preferred (but not required), ability to follow a business system, financial capabilities, general business acumen, ability to work well in a team environment, and passion!!!

Financing Options
 
Firehouse Subs Franchise
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
Start-up Costs No/NoNo/Yes
Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
Receivables No/NoNo/Yes
Payroll No/NoNo/Yes

Training & Support
 
Firehouse Subs Franchise
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise
Training -We believe in setting up our franchisees for success. We provide the following training: four-week training program, consisting of two weeks in a nearby Cafe, one week in a classroom setting at our Support Center in Atlanta, Georgia and one week onsite for your Grand Opening.
Support -Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing -Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
Operations -Tropical Smoothie Cafe has a very simple business operation since we do not utilize any fryers, grills, hooding systems or serve alcohol in the cafe.

Absentee Ownership Allowed

Number of Employees Required to Run: 10 - 20

Expansion Plans
 
Firehouse Subs Franchise
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise
US Expansion YesYes
Canada Expansion YesNo
International Expansion YesYes

Company Overviews

About Firehouse Subs

Our extraordinary steaming procedure stirs our exceptional meats and cheeses. At the point when our sub sandwiches are served in eateries highlighting genuine firefighting stylistic layout, this is a blend people return for over and over.
Spreading Like Wildfire
Surpassing 1,000 establishment areas, our Firehouse Subs development is deliberately figured to improve potential, gain, speculation, and obviously, our franchisees' prosperity.
Operational Excellence

With an always developing history of inventive items, an emphasis on uncommon client benefit, and a stand-out brand character, Firehouse Subs is focused on building benefit for franchisees.

Enjoy More Subs Save More Lives

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a single Firehouse Subs Restaurant ranges from $57,502 to $862,591 for Traditional restaurants; $355,118 to $644,047 for End-Cap Strip Mall Restaurants w/ Drive Thru; and $868,696 for Free-Standing Restaurants w/ Drive Thru. These totals include the following amounts that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates: an initial franchise fee of $20,000; the fee for a mural ranges from $3,000 to $4,600; and the MIS System Fee ranges from $0 to $1,200.
If you sign an Area Development Agreement, you will also pay a Development Fee equal to $10,000 times the number of Restaurants to be developed. The portion of the Development Fee allocable to each Restaurant (which is $10,000 for each Restaurant) will be credited against the initial franchise fee for that Restaurant. The total investment necessary to develop from 2 to 5 Restaurants is $89,502 to 930,591 for Traditional Restaurants; $387,118 to $712,047 for End-Cap Strip Mall Restaurants / Drive Thru; $900,696 to $936,690 for Free-Standing Restaurants w/ Drive Thru.

Veteran Incentives  $2,000 off first-store franchise fee
"Entrepreneur
#59 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
#78 in Franchise 500 for 2021.






About Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Tropical Smoothie Cafe offers genuine natural product smoothies, wraps, sandwiches, flatbreads, and servings of mixed greens. Our more beneficial decisions are what today's customers request and search out. Maybe that is the reason in 2015, the main half of our franchisees had normal gross offers of $806,920*.

Our main goal is to motivate a more beneficial way of life by serving astounding smoothies and nourishment with a touch of tropical fun. On the off chance that you play to win, contribute well and turn into a Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise Owner at this point!

*Based on date-book year 2015, 77 of 359, or 21.4%, of the Cafes picked up or outperformed this business level. This data shows up in Item 19 of our Franchise Disclosure Document. Your outcomes may vary. There is no confirmation that you will do also.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a single-unit Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise ranges from $198,500 to $543,500. This range includes $37,500 that must be paid to the franchisor, consisting of a franchise fee of $30,000 and a grand opening marketing contribution of $7,500.
If a franchisee chooses to develop multiple units, a $20,000 franchise fee must be paid to the franchisor for the second and each additional unit.
Veteran Incentives  50% off franchise fee
"Top               "Entrepreneur
#3 in Gator's Top franchises.
#18 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
#14 in Franchise 500 for 2021.