Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe vs Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe vs Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels 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
Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise
Investment $159,000 - $475,000$98,350 - $445,000
Franchise Fee $47,500 - $57,500$30,000
Royalty Fee 5%7%
Advertising Fee -1%
Year Founded 19981988
Year Franchised 19981989
Term Of Agreement 5 years5 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years5 years
Renewal Fee negotiated-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe Franchise
Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience

  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe Franchise
    Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels 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

     
    Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe Franchise
    Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise
    Training -On-The-Job Training: 32 hours Classroom Training: 40-64 hours
    Support Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Regional advertisingAd Templates National Media Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    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)

    53.9% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 9 - 12

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe Franchise
    Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    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 Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels

    Anne Beiler had been baking most of her life, but it wasn't until she began managing a concession stand at a farmer's market in Maryland that she thought about starting a business. The stand served pizzas, pretzels, chips and candy, with the pretzels outselling everything else. Beiler stopped selling pizza and began hand-rolling pretzels in front of her customers, making the snack even more popular. Eventually, Beiler bought her own stand, naming it Auntie Anne's, and, soon two of her brothers were operating Auntie Anne's booths of their own. Today, Auntie Anne's locations serve a variety of pretzels, dipping sauces and drinks.

    Join us in putting the hand-rolled deliciousness of Auntie Anne’s® soft pretzels into more people’s hands. We are looking for franchise owners to extend our reach into street side locations, tourist locations, colleges, and more. Our guests savor Auntie Anne’s® pretzels’ unique flavor profile. You’ll value the strong financials, culture that promotes community involvement, and opportunities afforded you by our impressive global footprint. The future is looking bright for our franchise owners. Get in on the goodness now.

    As we rise, you shine.

    Auntie Anne's® is looking for people with a passion for business, matched by their desire to deliver the highest-quality customer service and hospitality. Candidates should have:
    "Fork
    Business Experience
    (Restaurant Experience Preferred)
    "Money"
    $100K+ Liquid Capital
    $300K Net Worth
    "People"
    People Skills
    Connected to the Community
    "Hand
    Philanthropic Values

     Stores can be found in shopping centers, airports and train stations across the United States and Worldwide.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of an Auntie Anne's® franchise ranges from $156,350 to $445,000. This includes $30,000 to $30,400 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Shop within a temporary stand in a farmers’ market, a concession trailer, or a food truck (a “Concession Shop”) is $98,350 to $253,000. This includes $10,000 to $10,400 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.

    Veteran Incentives  $10,000 off franchise fee

    "Entrepreneur
    #400 in Franchise 500 for 2020.