Breadsmith vs Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Breadsmith vs Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Breadsmith Franchise
Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise
Investment $380,250 - $454,750$98,350 - $445,000
Franchise Fee $30,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 7% - 5%7%
Advertising Fee -1%
Year Founded 19931988
Year Franchised 19931989
Term Of Agreement 15 years5 years
Term Of Agreement 15 years5 years
Renewal Fee $500-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Breadsmith Franchise
Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills helpful but not necessary

  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    Breadsmith Franchise
    Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/YesNo/Yes
    Payroll No/YesNo/Yes

    Training & Support

     
    Breadsmith Franchise
    Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 219.5 hours Classroom Training: 51 hours On-The-Job Training: 32 hours Classroom Training: 40-64 hours
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Ad Templates Social media SEO Website development Email marketingAd Templates National Media Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations 10% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 20

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    53.9% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 9 - 12

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Breadsmith Franchise
    Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About Breadsmith

    While studying in Norway, college student Dan Sterling got his first taste of European bread. Sterling returned to the United States and graduated from Harvard Business School before starting his own company. But he never lost his love of bread, and after volunteering to help a local bakery with its accounting, he decided to launch a bakery of his own. He opened the first Breadsmith location in 1993, and the company began franchising in 1994.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Breadsmith primary franchise store is $380,250 to $449,750 ($377,250 - $451,750 for veterans). This includes $100,000 to $115,000 (less $3,000 if you are a veteran) that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate.
    An additional investment of $95,500 to $163,500 is necessary if a satellite location is opened in connection with the primary store. This includes $5,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate.
    Veteran Incentives  10% off franchise fee


    "Entrepreneur
    #333 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #333 in Franchise 500 for 2021.



    About Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels

    Anne Beiler had been baking most of her life, but it wasn't until she began managing a concession stand at a farmer's market in Maryland that she thought about starting a business. The stand served pizzas, pretzels, chips and candy, with the pretzels outselling everything else. Beiler stopped selling pizza and began hand-rolling pretzels in front of her customers, making the snack even more popular. Eventually, Beiler bought her own stand, naming it Auntie Anne's, and, soon two of her brothers were operating Auntie Anne's booths of their own. Today, Auntie Anne's locations serve a variety of pretzels, dipping sauces and drinks.

    Join us in putting the hand-rolled deliciousness of Auntie Anne’s® soft pretzels into more people’s hands. We are looking for franchise owners to extend our reach into street side locations, tourist locations, colleges, and more. Our guests savor Auntie Anne’s® pretzels’ unique flavor profile. You’ll value the strong financials, culture that promotes community involvement, and opportunities afforded you by our impressive global footprint. The future is looking bright for our franchise owners. Get in on the goodness now.

    As we rise, you shine.

    Auntie Anne's® is looking for people with a passion for business, matched by their desire to deliver the highest-quality customer service and hospitality. Candidates should have:
    "Fork
    Business Experience
    (Restaurant Experience Preferred)
    "Money"
    $100K+ Liquid Capital
    $300K Net Worth
    "People"
    People Skills
    Connected to the Community
    "Hand
    Philanthropic Values

     Stores can be found in shopping centers, airports and train stations across the United States and Worldwide.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of an Auntie Anne's® franchise ranges from $156,350 to $445,000. This includes $30,000 to $30,400 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Shop within a temporary stand in a farmers’ market, a concession trailer, or a food truck (a “Concession Shop”) is $98,350 to $253,000. This includes $10,000 to $10,400 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.

    Veteran Incentives  $10,000 off franchise fee

    "Entrepreneur
    #400 in Franchise 500 for 2020.