Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe vs Mrs. Fields Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe vs Mrs. Fields including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe Franchise
Mrs. Fields Franchise
Investment $159,000 - $475,000$166,806 - $410,500
Franchise Fee $47,500 - $57,500$30,000
Royalty Fee 5%6%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19981977
Year Franchised 19981990
Term Of Agreement 5 years7 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years7 years
Renewal Fee negotiated-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe Franchise
Mrs. Fields Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • Financing Options

     
    Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe Franchise
    Mrs. Fields 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/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe Franchise
    Mrs. Fields Franchise
    Training --
    Support Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Regional advertisingAd slicks, National media
    Operations 80% of all franchisees own more than one unit

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

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.


    Expansion Plans

     
    Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe Franchise
    Mrs. Fields Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe

    Are you interested in partnering with a world class food company with the most unique product offering to hit the QSR industry in years? We’re excited about the opportunities too! Beard Papa’s Cream Puff products and operations are proven. Backed by over six years of operating experience and over 240 cream puff stores in Japan and other areas in Asia, we are part of the Muginoho Group family with various restaurant concepts in Japan and other areas in Asia. The trademark of our cream puff specialty stores is a "beard papa" against a bright yellow background. We stuff each crunchy puff with whipped cream custard every time an order is placed. You can watch as they are being created in the store. Everyday we bake choux pastry shells and prepare our special, secret recipe of whipped cream custard in our store. Our motto is to serve only the freshest cream puffs from beard papa's kitchen. Our cream puffs do not contain any preservatives. Only the highest quality ingredients go into making them because we want to serve you only the best. We use only natural-grown vanilla beans.
     
    Since 1999, Beard Papa’s has been baking the world’s best cream puffs. We began in Japan and have expanded to over 400 stores in 15 countries and territories! We are committed to bring you a pastry that is super oishii! (delicious!).

    About Mrs. Fields

    Mrs. Fields Cookies started in 1977 and has been in the Famous Brands portfolio since 2000. Today the company has over
    300 locations in over 20 countries. Mrs. Fields has been a pioneer in cookies and based goods.

    Through its franchisees' retail stores; it is one of the largest retailers of freshly baked, on-premises specialty cookies and brownies in the world and the largest retailer of soft-serve frozen yogurt with live active cultures. Its franchise systems operate through a network of more than 800 franchised and licensed locations throughout the United States and in 25 foreign countries. In addition, it operates an internet and catalog gifting business, and has entered into licensing arrangements that leverage awareness of its core brands among its retail customer base.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a retail store ranges from $251,995 to $410,500.
    This includes $35,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliate.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a retail kiosk
    ranges from $166,806 t0 $233,640.
    This includes $35,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliate.