Great Harvest vs Gigi's Cupcakes Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Great Harvest Franchise
Gigi's Cupcakes Franchise
Investment $69,613 - $704,873$226,700 - $425,500
Franchise Fee $35,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee 2.5%2.5%
Year Founded 19762007
Year Franchised 19782008
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Great Harvest Franchise
Gigi's Cupcakes Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience

    • You will need prior experience in running a business, preferably retail. Passion - We want you to be excited and enthusiastic about owning a cupcake shop. Involvement - You are expected be involved in your business on a daily basis, because we find greater success with owners that are actively involved in the operation of their shop. This business requires real commitment, attention to detail, and hard work.

    Financing Options
     
    Great Harvest Franchise
    Gigi's Cupcakes Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/Yes-/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/Yes
    Equipment No/Yes-/Yes
    Inventory No/No-/Yes
    Receivables No/No-/Yes
    Payroll No/No-/Yes

    Training & Support
     
    Great Harvest Franchise
    Gigi's Cupcakes Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 120 hours Classroom Training: 120 hours Additional Training: When necessaryOn-The-Job Training: 91 hours Classroom Training: 52 hours
    Support Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/appAd Templates National Media Social media SEO 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)

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    Great Harvest Franchise
    Gigi's Cupcakes Franchise
    US Expansion YesNo
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    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
    "franchiserankingscom"
    #4 on Franchise Rankings.com



    About Gigi's Cupcakes

    If you are looking for a great opportunity, and you have the business acumen and financial wherewithal, Gigi's Cupcakes may be the concept and opportunity you have been looking for. We have a business model that yields high volume sales with lower occupancy and build-out costs than what you might expect. We also have lower labor and food costs than typical food service franchises. All this adds up to an opportunity that can change your life. Gigi's is committed to making sure we choose the right people to join us in building Gigi's Cupcakes locations nationally. We have learned what it takes to be a successful Gigi's Cupcakes owner and have summarized those qualifications for your consideration: Capital Requirements - You will need liquid assets of approximately $100,000 and total net worth of $250,000. This can be done individually or with family members or investors that sign on with you. We will provide you with total support along the way including: Site selection Lease review and negotiation Design/Layout and Construction Equipment Sourcing Training Marketing Grand Opening support Ongoing marketing and operational support If you would like to arrange a meeting: For further information go to http://www.gigiscupcakesusa.com/becomeanowner or you could try http://www.thefranchisemall.com/request/