Sub Station II vs Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Sub Station II vs Tropical Smoothie Cafe including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Sub Station II Franchise
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise
Investment $188,500 - $357,000$198,500 - $543,500
Franchise Fee $20,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 4%6%
Advertising Fee -3%
Year Founded 19751997
Year Franchised 19761998
Term Of Agreement 10 years15 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years15 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Sub Station II Franchise
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
    		• Hands on management preferred, restaurant experience preferred (but not required), ability to follow a business system, financial capabilities, general business acumen, ability to work well in a team environment, and passion!!!

    Financing Options
     
    Sub Station II Franchise
    Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/Yes
    Payroll No/NoNo/Yes

    Training & Support
     
    Sub Station II Franchise
    Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise
    Training -We believe in setting up our franchisees for success. We provide the following training: four-week training program, consisting of two weeks in a nearby Cafe, one week in a classroom setting at our Support Center in Atlanta, Georgia and one week onsite for your Grand Opening.
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations 25% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 8

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (85% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		Tropical Smoothie Cafe has a very simple business operation since we do not utilize any fryers, grills, hooding systems or serve alcohol in the cafe.

    Absentee Ownership Allowed

    Number of Employees Required to Run: 10 - 20

    Expansion Plans
     
    Sub Station II Franchise
    Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About Sub Station II

    Quality Food. Great Prices. Since 1975, Sub Station II has been striving to serve our customers a fresh, delicious, and healthy product. We were founded on the simple belief of making fresh food fast, and customized to fit your tastes. Each one of our sandwiches is sliced to order and piled high right before your eyes, with our produce prepared fresh daily. Today, Sub Station II has more than 40 locations spread throughout 5 states in the Southeast. With Sub Station II’s recipe for success and reinvigorated corporate team, it’s beginning to move in a direction that will undoubtedly make it one of the major sub sandwich chains in the future. With today’s fast paced lifestyles, more and more people are eating out than ever before. While the number of restaurants and choices have increased over the years, not all of them have the same relentless drive for quality as Sub Station II. We're here to make sure that you and your family have a quality dining experience at all of our locations, all of the time.

    About Tropical Smoothie Cafe

    Tropical Smoothie Cafe offers genuine natural product smoothies, wraps, sandwiches, flatbreads, and servings of mixed greens. Our more beneficial decisions are what today's customers request and search out. Maybe that is the reason in 2015, the main half of our franchisees had normal gross offers of $806,920*.

    Our main goal is to motivate a more beneficial way of life by serving astounding smoothies and nourishment with a touch of tropical fun. On the off chance that you play to win, contribute well and turn into a Tropical Smoothie Cafe Franchise Owner at this point!

    *Based on date-book year 2015, 77 of 359, or 21.4%, of the Cafes picked up or outperformed this business level. This data shows up in Item 19 of our Franchise Disclosure Document. Your outcomes may vary. There is no confirmation that you will do also.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a single-unit Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise ranges from $198,500 to $543,500. This range includes $37,500 that must be paid to the franchisor, consisting of a franchise fee of $30,000 and a grand opening marketing contribution of $7,500.
    If a franchisee chooses to develop multiple units, a $20,000 franchise fee must be paid to the franchisor for the second and each additional unit.
    Veteran Incentives  50% off franchise fee
    "Top               "Entrepreneur
    #3 in Gator's Top franchises.
    #18 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #14 in Franchise 500 for 2021.