Mrs. Fields vs House of Bread Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Mrs. Fields vs House of Bread including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Mrs. Fields Franchise
House of Bread Franchise
Investment $166,806 - $410,500$157,000 - $347,000
Franchise Fee $30,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 6%6%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19771996
Year Franchised 19901998
Term Of Agreement 7 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 7 years10 years
Renewal Fee -$5K


Business Experience Requirements
 
Mrs. Fields Franchise
House of Bread Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • General business experience
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Mrs. Fields Franchise
    House of Bread Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/No
    Equipment No/YesNo/No
    Inventory No/YesNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Mrs. Fields Franchise
    House of Bread Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Ad slicks, National mediaCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising
    Operations International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.

    		 25% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 8

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Mrs. Fields Franchise
    House of Bread Franchise
    US Expansion --
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    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.



    About House of Bread

    After spending six years as a lawyer, Sheila McCann decided to do something different with her life. At Harvard Business School, she researched several business ideas before settling on a bread bakery. McCann had fond memories of baking with her grandmother as a child in Montana. Inspired by her grandmother's spirit of independence and endurance, she founded House of Bread in San Luis Obispo in 1996.

    The company targets its specialty breads to young professionals, health-conscious consumers and baby boomers looking to increase fiber in their diets. House of Bread lets customers sample its healthful, whole-grain breads and watch the bread being made. All stores feature on-site milling.