Atlanta Bread Company vs Mrs. Fields Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Atlanta Bread Company vs Mrs. Fields including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
Investment |
$629,700 - $806,300 | $166,806 - $410,500 |
Franchise Fee |
$40,000 | $30,000 |
Royalty Fee |
5% | 6% |
Advertising Fee |
- | - |
Year Founded |
1993 | 1977 |
Year Franchised |
1995 | 1990 |
Term Of Agreement |
10 years | 7 years |
Term Of Agreement |
10 years | 7 years |
Renewal Fee |
$30K | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
Experience |
General business experience Marketing skills Restaurant experience | Industry experience General business experience Marketing skills |
Financing Options |
|
In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party |
Franchise Fees |
No/No | No/Yes |
Start-up Costs |
No/No | No/Yes |
Equipment |
No/No | No/Yes |
Inventory |
No/No | No/Yes |
Receivables |
No/No | No/No |
Payroll |
No/No | No/No |
Training & Support |
Training |
- | - |
Support |
Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives |
Marketing |
Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising | Ad slicks, National media |
Operations |
65% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 15
- 18
Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (70% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses
Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. |
Expansion Plans |
US Expansion |
- | - |
Canada Expansion |
No | No |
International Expansion |
No | Yes |
Company Overviews
About Atlanta Bread Company
Founded in 1993 by Jerry and Basil Couvaras, Atlanta Bread Company bakery/cafes serve sandwiches, soups, salads, gourmet coffees, and fresh-baked breads and pastries for breakfast, lunchtime and dinner dining.
Each of our locations is locally owned and operated with an emphasis on
community involvement and outreach. Every night, our extra bread goes to
those in need and helps keep our communities fed.
About Mrs. Fields
Mrs. Fields Cookies started in 1977 and has been in the Famous Brands portfolio since 2000. Today the company has over
300 locations in over 20 countries. Mrs. Fields has been a pioneer in cookies and based goods.
Through its franchisees' retail stores; it is one of the largest retailers of freshly baked, on-premises specialty cookies and brownies in the world and the largest retailer of soft-serve frozen yogurt with live active cultures. Its franchise systems operate through a network of more than 800 franchised and licensed locations throughout the United States and in 25 foreign countries. In addition, it operates an internet and catalog gifting business, and has entered into licensing arrangements that leverage awareness of its core brands among its retail customer base.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a retail store
ranges from $251,995 to $410,500.
This includes $35,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliate.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a retail kiosk
ranges from $166,806 t0 $233,640.
This includes $35,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliate.