House of Bread vs LaMar's Donuts Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of House of Bread vs LaMar's Donuts including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
House of Bread Franchise
LaMar's Donuts Franchise
Investment $157,000 - $347,000$288,500 - $366,500
Franchise Fee $35,000$28,500
Royalty Fee 6%5%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19961960
Year Franchised 19981993
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee $5K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
House of Bread Franchise
LaMar's Donuts Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    House of Bread Franchise
    LaMar's Donuts Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/No
    Equipment No/NoNo/No
    Inventory No/NoNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    House of Bread Franchise
    LaMar's Donuts Franchise
    Training -As needed
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertisingCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising
    Operations 25% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 8

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 15

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (75% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    House of Bread Franchise
    LaMar's Donuts Franchise
    US Expansion --
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About House of Bread

    After spending six years as a lawyer, Sheila McCann decided to do something different with her life. At Harvard Business School, she researched several business ideas before settling on a bread bakery. McCann had fond memories of baking with her grandmother as a child in Montana. Inspired by her grandmother's spirit of independence and endurance, she founded House of Bread in San Luis Obispo in 1996.

    The company targets its specialty breads to young professionals, health-conscious consumers and baby boomers looking to increase fiber in their diets. House of Bread lets customers sample its healthful, whole-grain breads and watch the bread being made. All stores feature on-site milling.

    About LaMar's Donuts

    Ray Lamar found his way into the donut business at the age of 17, working as a fryer at a Kansas City, Missouri, shop. Lamar made his way up to being a partner in the company, but World War II cut the partnership short. Upon his return, Lamar earned a degree in economics and began a career as a stockbroker, but donuts remained the business he truly loved.

    In 1960, nearly 30 years after first manning the fryer, Lamar opened his first LaMar's Donuts shop in Kansas City. The company began franchising in 1993 and is now based in Englewood, Colorado.