Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe vs LaMar's Donuts Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe vs LaMar's Donuts 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
LaMar's Donuts Franchise
Investment $159,000 - $475,000$288,500 - $366,500
Franchise Fee $47,500 - $57,500$28,500
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19981960
Year Franchised 19981993
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Renewal Fee negotiated-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe Franchise
LaMar's Donuts Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe Franchise
    LaMar's Donuts Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/No
    Equipment No/NoNo/No
    Inventory No/NoNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe Franchise
    LaMar's Donuts Franchise
    Training -As needed
    Support Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Regional advertisingCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising
    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)

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 15

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (75% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe Franchise
    LaMar's Donuts Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    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 LaMar's Donuts

    Ray Lamar found his way into the donut business at the age of 17, working as a fryer at a Kansas City, Missouri, shop. Lamar made his way up to being a partner in the company, but World War II cut the partnership short. Upon his return, Lamar earned a degree in economics and began a career as a stockbroker, but donuts remained the business he truly loved.

    In 1960, nearly 30 years after first manning the fryer, Lamar opened his first LaMar's Donuts shop in Kansas City. The company began franchising in 1993 and is now based in Englewood, Colorado.