Carvel vs Let's Yo Yogurt Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Carvel vs Let's Yo Yogurt including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Carvel Franchise
Let's Yo Yogurt Franchise
Investment $250,600 - $415,500$355,800 - $548,500
Franchise Fee $30,000$45,000
Royalty Fee $2.44/gal.6%
Advertising Fee $2.13/gallon-
Year Founded 19342011
Year Franchised 19472011
Term Of Agreement 20 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years10 years
Renewal Fee Then current fee-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Carvel Franchise
Let's Yo Yogurt Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Carvel Franchise
    Let's Yo Yogurt Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-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
     
    Carvel Franchise
    Let's Yo Yogurt Franchise
    Training -

    At our training facility our franchisees and managers learn how to successfully operate a Let's YO store. The training is an intensive series of onsite workshops, online courses and hands-on training. Attendees receive personalized, hands-on training from a dedicated team of Let's YO Education and Training specialists. Not only do our franchisees learn how to make our famous treats, they learn how to exceed guest service expectations and deliver quality guest service. The training facility also includes a fully-functioning Let's YO retail location with inside seating and service that is open to the public year round. The training facility is open to all Let's YO, and provides an excellent model of future Let's YO stores that features the latest design Let's YO features and key elements.

    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives

    Real Estate This is the beginning of your Site Search as a Let's YO franchisee. You will be teamed with a Let's YO Real Estate Manager who will work with you to determine the best possible location for your new store. Your Real Estate Manager is designated to your area and will visit your site, research Demographics, market characteristics, and analyze the proposed location to determine that your site can be submitted to Let's YO Site Approval Committee. Our Committee meets weekly in order to determine the most viable location for your Let's YO store. We will also assist you with your negotiations, Rental Offer/Letter of Intent (LOI), and Lease Agreement signing. By utilizing local brokers, defining the intentions between the landlord and the tenant, outlining the basic provisions of your lease, and reviewing any contingencies. Let's YO supports you through the Real Estate process. We are committed to identifying the best opportunity for you in your area of development. With your partnership we will continue our strategy for expansion and to build the Let's YO franchise brand! Construction During this next step, a Project Manager from Let's YO Construction Team will work closely with you. Our Project Managers handle every property from the time the site is identified to the time that the store opens. We provide support during the design and permitting phase prior to the start of construction, and we manage Contractors and Vendors while holding everyone involved in the process to Let's YO standards. Our experienced Construction Team has experience in working with all types of Real Estate from Free Standing, to Strip Centers, to renovated buildings. Your Project Manager will provide you with Let's YO approved floor plan, cost estimate, scope of work, and your equipment list. Let's YO Construction Team is here to ensure this process runs smoothly and efficiently while adhering to the Let’s YO Franchise System standards. Operations Support Dedicated field staff will visit your store to help strategize, build and execute your plan on a local level. Our operations team includes a number of professionals with wide-ranging food service expertise who function as your business consultant. These experts can assist with everything from sharing best practices, hitting P&L goals, engaging your team members, customer service, human resources, understanding trade areas and local store marketing. New Store Opening Support Through every aspect of the exciting but challenging opening process, the Let's YO team will assure that your store's opening is truly grand.

    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising

    We fully support you with strong marketing and advertising programs, along with a complete package of communication and brand tools. Working from a solid brand and sales growth strategy, our team of marketing veterans will develop and manage all system wide tactics as well as assist you with specific ways to promote your store locally.
    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
     
    Carvel Franchise
    Let's Yo Yogurt Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    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.

    "Entrepreneur
    #361 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #273 in Franchise 500 for 2021.



    About Let's Yo Yogurt

    Irresistible delectable treats is just one component of the Let's YO yogurt experience. The Let's YO brand has been carefully developed to appeal to health conscious and trend-forward customers with active lifestyles. We're developing a strong brand loyalty among our growing guest base through interactive marketing programs and social media outreach. The hip, energetic and socially connected store environment adds yet another dimension to Let's YO's distinctiveness among traditional yogurt stores. Its time to join a real growth opportunity! Let's YO is quickly establishing itself as one of fastest growing new franchise brands in the Fro-Yo industry and has a plan for success that includes expanding this hot new brand nationwide! The simple operation of this rapidly growing product category and relatively low investment, allows you to be an investor inside your store, not an operator. With territories now open for expansion throughout the U.S. the timing has never been better to invest in a Let's YO yogurt franchise! If you are interested in taking the next step to find out if a Let's Yo Yogurt franchise could work for you, please fill in the form below.