Bahama Buck's Original Shaved Ice Company vs sweetFrog Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Bahama Buck's Original Shaved Ice Company vs sweetFrog including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
Investment |
$233,326 - $770,532 | $95,600 - $477,500 |
Franchise Fee |
$29,500 | $15,000 - $30,000 |
Royalty Fee |
6% | 5% |
Advertising Fee |
2% | 1.5% |
Year Founded |
1989 | 2009 |
Year Franchised |
1993 | 2012 |
Term Of Agreement |
10 years | 10 years |
Term Of Agreement |
10 years | 10 years |
Renewal Fee |
$5K | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
Experience |
General business experience | - |
Financing Options |
|
In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party |
Franchise Fees |
No/Yes | -/Yes |
Start-up Costs |
No/Yes | -/Yes |
Equipment |
No/Yes | -/Yes |
Inventory |
No/Yes | -/Yes |
Receivables |
No/Yes | -/Yes |
Payroll |
No/Yes | -/Yes |
Training & Support |
Training |
On-The-Job Training: 20 hours
Classroom Training: 20 hours
|
On-The-Job Training: 24 hours
Classroom Training: 24 hours
Additional Training: As needed
|
Support |
Purchasing Co-ops
Newsletter
Meetings/Conventions
Toll-Free Line
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security/Safety Procedures
Field Operations
Site Selection
Franchisee Intranet Platform
| Purchasing Co-ops
Newsletter
Meetings/Conventions
Toll-Free Line
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security/Safety Procedures
Field Operations
Site Selection
Franchisee Intranet Platform
|
Marketing |
Co-op Advertising
Ad Templates
Social media
Website development
Email marketing
Loyalty program/app
| Co-op Advertising
Ad Templates
National Media
Regional Advertising
Social media
SEO
Website development
Email marketing
Loyalty program/app
|
Operations |
0% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 15 - 25
Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (67% of current franchisees are owner/operators)
| 50% of all franchisees own more than one unit.
Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2 - 4.
Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (50% of current franchisees are owner/operators).
|
Expansion Plans |
US Expansion |
Yes | No |
Canada Expansion |
No | No |
International Expansion |
No | No |
Company Overviews
About Bahama Buck's Original Shaved Ice Company
In the Summer of 1990, Blake Buchanan opened the first Bahama Buck's. He started with one ice shaver and the hope of a college job that didn't involve mowing grass or flipping burgers. Constructing the original store by hand, he enlisted volunteer help from three generations of his family, staffed it with friends and college students and opened the doors.
The tropical sensation caught on and with the help of his now partner, Eric Lee, and his wife, Kippi Buchanan, that summer job turned into a full time vocation.
Blake has worked to keep the spirit of the original Bahama Buck's alive, making sure that each franchise is operated with the same enthusiasm of the first Buck's. His team strives to ensure that each flavor becomes a favorite and each visit is a great time - every time.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Bahama Buck’s
franchised business ranges from $303,700 to $957,838. This includes
$144,000 to $223,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their
affiliate. If you elect to enter into a Multi-Store Amendment, you will
pay the franchisor a development fee equal to 50% of the initial
franchise fee for each additional Bahama Buck’s Store to be opened upon
signing the Multi-Store Amendment (excluding your first store). This fee
is not refundable, but is credited fully against the initial franchise
fee for each store when the franchise agreement is executed for that
store (except the first store).
Seeking new franchise units in Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, District of
Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana,
Nebraska, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada,
Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas,
Utah, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming
About sweetFrog
Shortly after moving to Richmond, Virginia, in 2009, Derek Cha brought the West-Coast frozen yogurt trend to his new home by opening the first sweetFrog store. In addition to a variety of frozen yogurt flavors and toppings, sweetFrog locations offer waffle cones and bowls, Belgian waffles, banana splits and parfaits.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a sweetFrog Shop is
$231,500 - $477,500 for a Shop in Traditional Venue, $95,600 - $304,000
for a Kiosk Shop or Standard Floor Plan Shop in Non-Traditional Venue
and $122,400 - $219,300 for a Truck.
#23 on Entrepreneur's ranking of the top 150 franchises offering incentives and other programs to help veterans become franchisees
Seeking new franchise units throughout the U.S.,
Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Central America,
Eastern Europe, Middle East, Mexico, Philippines, South America and Western
Europe
Veteran Incentives 25% off franchise fee (50% off in May and November)