Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe vs Hurts Donut Company Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe vs Hurts Donut Company 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
Hurts Donut Company Franchise
Investment $159,000 - $475,000$553,000 - $1,076,000
Franchise Fee $47,500 - $57,500$35,000
Royalty Fee 5%7%
Advertising Fee -2%
Year Founded 19982013
Year Franchised 19982014
Term Of Agreement 5 years-
Term Of Agreement 5 years-
Renewal Fee negotiated-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe Franchise
Hurts Donut Company Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • -

    Financing Options

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

    Training & Support

     
    Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe Franchise
    Hurts Donut Company Franchise
    Training --
    Support Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations-
    Marketing 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)

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    Beard Papa's Sweets Cafe Franchise
    Hurts Donut Company Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    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 Hurts Donut Company

    "Hurts
    Who is Hurts Donut?! How did it get started?! Well, the running joke is that Tim said it would be cheaper to open a donut shop than support my donut addiction! November 17th 2013, THE DAY BEFORE WE OPENED, we made our very first donut! The VERY FIRST donut either of us had ever made and it was just twelve hours before we opened our doors to the public... (that's not a typo!) We learned how to make donuts on YOUTUBE, bought all of our equipment on Craigslist and didn't even know if any of it would turn on. (Irresponsible? Maybe... Crazy passionate, motivated and fearless attitude!! DEFINITELY!!)We had less than $7 left in our bank account when we opened the doors to the public, and now there are 16 stores in the US! (The best part is, we are just getting started!!)In 2016 and 2017 we won an award that makes me exceptionally emotional... Hurts Donut received the Economic Impact of the year award for 1-5 years in business. WE SHARED THE STAGE WITH BASS PRO AND PRIME TRUCKING!!! (Are you serious?!) Prime did 1.8 BILLION dollars in revenue last year. And our little donut shop, less than 4 years old, was honored on the SAME STAGE as the most incredible businesses in Springfield. Their stories inspirational beyond measure. How could we possibly be in such good company?! Never, in my wildest dreams, did I think we would be where we are today.I'm so astronomically in love and thankful for my husband who is intelligent, business minded, hard working and selfless. Tim attributes our growth to his diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, it was the start of our model for giving back to those in need. We truly, truly, believe that you get what you GIVE. So we promised ourselves whenever we get, we give!! I remember feeling misplaced years before this, my heart was built for giving and I could never give enough. This business has given us so much purpose and your support gives us the means to give back to the community in an unimaginable way. We have been able to share our blessings and help so many people in need. Franchising was absolutely terrifying to me. I'm so passionate about my business and I couldn't imagine anyone loving Hurts Donut the way I do!!  Our franchises have brought amazing people close in my life!! It is the best thing, being able to call someone every day that can truly relate and understand my immense JOYS. They have by far exceeded our expectations and I am BEYOND proud of the hard work and success our franchisees have brought to our name!! I know every one of us will continue to pray and dream and work ourselves NUMB!! I owe the most colossal thank you to our outstanding employees, whose personalities are as colorful as the donuts in our case! Our over-willing managers and trainers who are so extremely talented and hard working! There's definitely a sense of family. Shout out to two very special employees, Misty and Ian who have been employed with us from day one and are still going strong today!! We started with SIX employees the day Hurts OG opened in Springfield!! Our Tulsa store sold 24,000 donuts opening day and had 112 employees the day they opened if that gives you an idea of how far we have come!!!