Breadsmith vs Great American Bagel Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Breadsmith Franchise
Great American Bagel Franchise
Investment $380,250 - $454,750$230,000 - $300,000
Franchise Fee $30,000$20,000
Royalty Fee 7% - 5%4%
Advertising Fee -2%
Year Founded 19931987
Year Franchised 19930
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee $500-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Breadsmith Franchise
Great American Bagel Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills helpful but not necessary
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Breadsmith Franchise
    Great American Bagel 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/Yes-/-
    Payroll No/Yes-/-

    Training & Support
     
    Breadsmith Franchise
    Great American Bagel Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 219.5 hours Classroom Training: 51 hours -
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform -
    Marketing Ad Templates Social media SEO Website development Email marketing-
    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)

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    Breadsmith Franchise
    Great American Bagel Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion No-

    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 Great American Bagel

    The Great American Bagel opened its first bagel bakery in 1987 in Westmont, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago.  This store was so well received that within a few short years, The Great American Bagel began opening bagel bakeries throughout Chicago and offering The Great American Bagel franchises to those seeking exciting new business opportunities.  Today, The Great American Bagel proudly operates many restaurants across the United States, Ireland, Canada as well as in the Middle East.