Mr. Smoothie vs Ben & Jerry's Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Mr. Smoothie vs Ben & Jerry's including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Mr. Smoothie Franchise
Ben & Jerry's Franchise
Investment $87,650 - $377,400$152,200 - $546,800
Franchise Fee $20,000$16,000 - $37,000
Royalty Fee 5%3%
Advertising Fee to 2%4%
Year Founded 19931978
Year Franchised 20011981
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee -50% of then current fee


Business Experience Requirements
 
Mr. Smoothie Franchise
Ben & Jerry's Franchise
Experience -
  • Are socially conscious, and active in your community.
  • Are passionate about operating an ethical, responsible business.
  • Will apply your full-time best efforts to the business.
  • Have at least two years of business management experience with P&L responsibility.
  • Have excellent business acumen, project management skills, and the ability to build and execute a business plan.
  • Are systems-oriented, and understand and value a franchise system.
  • Have the ability to recruit, train, and motivate staff, according to our standards.
  • Have a competitive drive and are committed to succeed, with realistic expectations.
  • Demonstrate honesty, integrity and humility and are a team player.
  • Possess strong interpersonal and communication skills and are fluent in English.
  • Know how to use a computer and apply technology.
  • Have a college degree or higher (preferred).
  • Have a strong credit history and a minimum net worth of $350,000, with $100,000 in liquidity (cash and securities, not including retirement accounts).
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    Financing Options
     
    Mr. Smoothie Franchise
    Ben & Jerry's Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/Yes
    Equipment No/NoNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/Yes
    Payroll No/NoNo/Yes

    Training & Support
     
    Mr. Smoothie Franchise
    Ben & Jerry's Franchise
    Training -We’ve got a great recipe for operating a scoop shop, and a world-class team to provide “scoop-to-nuts” expertise. We guide you every step of the way, beginning with your search for the right location, to training, to marketing, and to ongoing operational support for the life of your business. On-The-Job Training: 24 hours Classroom Training: 35 hours
    Support Newsletter, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Ad slicksAd Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media Website development Email marketing
    Operations 50% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 4 - 6

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (50% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		 75% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed.

    Expansion Plans
     
    Mr. Smoothie Franchise
    Ben & Jerry's Franchise
    US Expansion YesNo
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About Mr. Smoothie

    Ready to own TWO of the fastest Growing Franchise Concepts Under ONE Roof? Then Mr. Smoothie & Frozen Yogurt may be the Franchise for YOU!
    Mr. Smoothie, with over 26 years in business in 7 states, is the first Multi- State Franchise system to bring both: Real Fresh Fruit Smoothies and Self Service Frozen Yogurt Under one Roof.
    Since 1996, Mr. Smoothie has been serving the Freshest and most delicious Smoothies, Juices and everyone’s favorite frozen treats

    Mr. Smoothie’s locations are where our customers "Work, Live and Play” helping to accommodate today’s hectic schedules and healthy lifestyles.

    We continually work with our vendors to ensure our locations are supplied with the freshest and healthiest products while delivering the best value to our customers.
    Reqirements:
    *Net worth of $200k and $50k liquid
    *Real Estate, Design & Build Out Assistance
    *All formats: Malls, Strip Centers, Airports & Universities
    *Simple & Easy to Learn Operations
    *On Site Training & Ongoing Store Support
    *Menu items for everyone in the family and all throughout the day
    *National Proprietary Food Vendor for bulk purchasing power
    *Single Store, Multi-Unit and Area Developers welcomed
     

    About Ben & Jerry's

    Ben & Jerry's is named for its founders, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, who grew up together in Merrick, Long Island. In 1978, they took a $5 correspondence course on ice-cream-making, then leased an old gas station building in Burlington, Vermont to open their first ice cream shop.  Ben & Jerry’s has over 580 franchised ice cream scoop shops and PartnerShops worldwide. We have over 350 scoop shops in the United States and over 350 scoop shops Internationally.

    Seeking new franchise units in Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, Australia/New Zealand, Canada and Western Europe.

    ""    "Entrepreneur

    #63 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #138 in Franchise 500 for 2021.