Carvel vs sweetFrog Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Carvel Franchise
sweetFrog Franchise
Investment $250,600 - $415,500$95,600 - $477,500
Franchise Fee $30,000$15,000 - $30,000
Royalty Fee $2.44/gal.5%
Advertising Fee $2.13/gallon1.5%
Year Founded 19342009
Year Franchised 19472012
Term Of Agreement 20 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years10 years
Renewal Fee Then current fee-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Carvel Franchise
sweetFrog Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Carvel Franchise
    sweetFrog Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/Yes-/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/Yes
    Equipment No/Yes-/Yes
    Inventory No/Yes-/Yes
    Receivables No/No-/Yes
    Payroll No/No-/Yes

    Training & Support
     
    Carvel Franchise
    sweetFrog Franchise
    Training - On-The-Job Training: 24 hours Classroom Training: 24 hours Additional Training: As needed
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    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)

    50% of all franchisees own more than one unit.

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2 - 4.

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (50% of current franchisees are owner/operators).


    Expansion Plans
     
    Carvel Franchise
    sweetFrog Franchise
    US Expansion YesNo
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    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 sweetFrog

    Shortly after moving to Richmond, Virginia, in 2009, Derek Cha brought the West-Coast frozen yogurt trend to his new home by opening the first sweetFrog store. In addition to a variety of frozen yogurt flavors and toppings, sweetFrog locations offer waffle cones and bowls, Belgian waffles, banana splits and parfaits.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a sweetFrog Shop is $231,500 - $477,500 for a Shop in Traditional Venue, $95,600 - $304,000 for a Kiosk Shop or Standard Floor Plan Shop in Non-Traditional Venue and $122,400 - $219,300 for a Truck.

    #23 on Entrepreneur's ranking of the top 150 franchises offering incentives and other programs to help veterans become franchisees

    Seeking new franchise units throughout the U.S., Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Central America, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Mexico, Philippines, South America and Western Europe    
    Veteran Incentives  25% off franchise fee (50% off in May and November)