Carvel vs Swirls and Twirls Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Carvel vs Swirls and Twirls including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
Investment |
$250,600 - $415,500 | $335,000 - $664,750 |
Franchise Fee |
$30,000 | $30,000 |
Royalty Fee |
$2.44/gal. | 6% |
Advertising Fee |
$2.13/gallon | - |
Year Founded |
1934 | 2011 |
Year Franchised |
1947 | 2012 |
Term Of Agreement |
20 years | - |
Term Of Agreement |
20 years | - |
Renewal Fee |
Then current fee | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
Experience |
General business experience | We are looking for highly self-motivated business minded people searching for independent ownership. We look for franchisees that are outgoing and dedicated to building connections within the community. Our franchisees must also be financially qualified. We have multi-unit opportunities available for those who fulfill specific qualifications. |
Financing Options |
|
In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party |
Franchise Fees |
No/Yes | -/- |
Start-up Costs |
No/Yes | -/- |
Equipment |
No/Yes | -/- |
Inventory |
No/Yes | -/- |
Receivables |
No/No | -/- |
Payroll |
No/No | -/- |
Training & Support |
Training |
- | You will receive 10 days of training at our location in West Islip, New York covering Swirls and Twirls Systems
and Procedures, Food Safety, Customer Service, Finance, Administrative procedures and Local Store Marketing. |
Support |
Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives | Swirls and Twirls provides its franchisees with support from site selection approvals to store opening assistance,
training, ongoing consultation, marketing programs and materials, new products and more. |
Marketing |
Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising | - |
Operations |
International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 25% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6
Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators) | - |
Expansion Plans |
US Expansion |
Yes | Yes |
Canada Expansion |
No | - |
International Expansion |
Yes | - |
Company Overviews
About Carvel
In 1934 Tom Carvel opened his first ice cream shop in Hartsdale, New York. Over the years, he developed formulas and equipment for creating and serving his ice cream. The company started franchising in 1947, and by 1951 had opened 100 stores. Today the company distributes its line of ice cream, cakes, pies and other treats in its own locations and in stadiums, club stores and supermarkets.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Shoppe selling a
full range of Carvel® products (a “Full Shoppe”) ranges from $250,600 to
$415,500. This includes $30,000 to $32,000 that must be paid to the
franchisor or their affiliates.
The total investment necessary to begin
operation of a Shoppe selling selected Carvel® products (an “Express
Shoppe”) ranges from $39,600 to $148,400.
The total investment necessary
to begin operation of an Express Shoppe within the space of another
restaurant, food service facility, or business approved by the
franchisor (a “Hosted Express Shoppe”) ranges from $33,100 to $66,500.
These total investment estimates for Express Shoppes and Hosted Express
Shoppes include $10,000 to $12,000 that must be paid to the franchisor
or their affiliates.
The total investment necessary to begin operation
of a Shoppe in an ice cream truck (an “Ice Cream Truck”) is $95,050 to
$195,000. This includes $5,000 to $7,000 that must be paid to the
franchisor or their affiliates.
#361 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
#273 in Franchise 500 for 2021.
About Swirls and Twirls
Swirls and Twirls was created to be the ultimate healthy indulgence and the most innovative self-serve frozen yogurt experience out there. We are all about promoting creative expression - in all forms.
Every Swirls and Twirls Franchise is:
Fun, simple, highly scalable
Unique, creative, completely innovative
Owner operated, absentee operated or semi-absentee operated
Requires minimal inventory and a low payroll roster
Includes comprehensive training and support
Our shops
Our upscale and contemporary shops are designed to provide our guests with an atmosphere that promotes fun and creativity while encouraging independence and nutritious eating habits. Every Swirls and Twirls boast a vibrant and unique interior, striking architectural lighting, music from a state-of-the-art sound system, a warm and inviting interior, and free Wi-Fi.
Leveraging technology to enhance the Swirls experience, on-site touch screens have been incorporated into every shop. One provides easy access to ingredient, nutrition and allergy information while the other, a 55" live Facebook monitor, allows customers to post status updates and photos, and see them appear online instantly.
Our Products
All of our premium yogurt flavors are kosher and include gluten-free, non-fat, low-fat, no sugar added, dairy-free varieties, and are as low as 70 calories per ½ cup serving. Every one of our shops features eight dual yogurt dispensers with a third handle in the middle that allows customers to create a most unexpected, uniquely swirled flavor. With 24 flavors on tap and 50+ toppings available all the time, visitors are only limited by their own imaginations.
In addition to our one-of-a-kind in-store experience, our new Swirls To Go products are growing in popularity and are flying out of all of our shops faster than we ever could have imagined. Our grab-and-go and easily customized products include:
Swirl Quarts - Their favorite Swirls flavors in pre-packaged quarts
Swirl Cakes - Birthday, anniversary or special occasion frozen yogurt cakes
Swirlwiches - Soft serve cookie sandwiches, with or without toppings
Swirls Cannoli - Swirls frozen yogurt hand piped into a fresh baked cannoli shell topped with mini chocolate chips.
The Opportunity
Starting a franchise with Swirls and Twirls allows you to capitalize on our proven business model and our tremendously growing momentum in this expanding $14 billion dollar industry. Over the last 18 months we’ve opened 9 new shops, with 3 more on the way, and plans in the works for expansion into NYC, NJ and Boston.
We are dedicated to providing you the systems, training, and tools that we have developed and refined over the years, to grow your business within the thriving market segment of self serve frozen yogurt. We provide our guests with a fun, creative, family and eco-friendly environment and products that are made with the highest quality ingredients at every store. As a franchisee, you’ll receive the benefit of our brand recognition and our support, beginning with site selection and training thru ongoing operational, research and development and marketing efforts. We will be your champion every step of the way.