Great Harvest vs Great American Cookie Company Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Great Harvest vs Great American Cookie Company including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Great Harvest Franchise
Great American Cookie Company Franchise
Investment $69,613 - $704,873$177,700 - $476,135
Franchise Fee $35,000$15,000 - $35,000
Royalty Fee 5%6%
Advertising Fee 2.5%1.5%
Year Founded 19761977
Year Franchised 19781977
Term Of Agreement 10 yearsConcurrent with lease
Term Of Agreement 10 yearsConcurrent with lease
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Great Harvest Franchise
Great American Cookie Company Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • Financing Options

     
    Great Harvest Franchise
    Great American Cookie Company Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Great Harvest Franchise
    Great American Cookie Company Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 120 hours Classroom Training: 120 hours Additional Training: When necessaryOn-The-Job Training: 37 hours Classroom Training: 36.5 hours
    Support Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Site Selection
    Marketing Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations 10% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 5 - 7

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

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.


    Expansion Plans

     
    Great Harvest Franchise
    Great American Cookie Company Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About Great Harvest

    Pete Wakeman had been baking bread most of his life. As a child, he would help his aunt. In high school, he baked for his friends. During summer vacations, he sold bread from the roadside. In 1976, when Wakeman heard about a bakery in Great Falls, Montana, that was going under, he bought it. With the help of his wife, Laura, Wakeman established the Great Harvest Bread Co. and set about baking loaves for people in the Great Falls community. Soon, people from neighboring communities starting asking about setting up their own Great Harvest locations. The first franchise opened in Kalispell, Montana. In 1983, the Wakemans converted their Great Falls bakery into a franchise and moved company headquarters to Dillon, Montana, so they could concentrate on the franchising end of their business. Great Harvest bakeries serve a variety of breads each day including honey whole wheat, white cheddar garlic, sunflower and cranberry orange.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Great Harvest bakery cafe franchise in a “Hub” location is $144,100 to $704,873. This includes $35,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Great Harvest bakery cafe franchise in a “Spoke” location is $69,613 to $447,536. This includes $15,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate.
    If you want development rights, you must pay the franchisor a development fee equal to the full initial franchise fee for the first bakery cafe ($35,000) plus a deposit of $7,500 (of the $15,000 initial franchise fee) for each additional bakery cafe you agree to develop. The total investment necessary to begin operation if you acquire development rights is $151,600 to $712,373. This includes $42,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate.
    Veteran Incentives  15% off franchise fee
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    About Great American Cookie Company

    Beginning an establishment is an interest in your vocation AND your group! Don't you need to be the one to convey the treat cake to your neighborhood?

    Our ease establishment opportunity is an incredible alternative for any individual who is searching for an approach to begin a profession as an entrepreneur! Every open door is distinctive, so whether you open your establishment in a shopping center, at an air terminal, or anyplace else in the middle of, you can alter your establishment for YOU!

    Great American Cookies opened its first store in Atlanta's Perimeter Mall in 1977. From one family chocolate treat formula, it included an entire line of treats and brownies and started diversifying in 1978. Notwithstanding normal treats, most stores highlight extensive plate-or dish estimated treats with customized messages for gatherings or unique events.

    On August 24, 1998, Mrs. Fields Original Cookies Inc. procured the organization. Mrs. Fields Famous Brands incorporates The Original Cookie Company, Pretzel Time, Hot Sam, Pretzelmaker and Mrs. Fields Cookies

    Franchisor is seeking new franchise units throughout the U.S., Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Central America, Middle East, Mexico, South America
    Veteran Incentives  25% off first-store franchise fee

    "franchiserankingscom"
    #70 on Franchise Rankings.com
    #136 in Franchise 500 for 2020.