Mrs. Fields vs LaMar's Donuts Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Mrs. Fields Franchise
LaMar's Donuts Franchise
Investment $166,806 - $410,500$288,500 - $366,500
Franchise Fee $30,000$28,500
Royalty Fee 6%5%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19771960
Year Franchised 19901993
Term Of Agreement 7 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 7 years10 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Mrs. Fields Franchise
LaMar's Donuts Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Mrs. Fields Franchise
    LaMar's Donuts 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
    LaMar's Donuts Franchise
    Training -As needed
    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, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Ad slicks, National mediaCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising
    Operations International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 15

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (75% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Mrs. Fields Franchise
    LaMar's Donuts Franchise
    US Expansion --
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    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 LaMar's Donuts

    Ray Lamar found his way into the donut business at the age of 17, working as a fryer at a Kansas City, Missouri, shop. Lamar made his way up to being a partner in the company, but World War II cut the partnership short. Upon his return, Lamar earned a degree in economics and began a career as a stockbroker, but donuts remained the business he truly loved.

    In 1960, nearly 30 years after first manning the fryer, Lamar opened his first LaMar's Donuts shop in Kansas City. The company began franchising in 1993 and is now based in Englewood, Colorado.