House of Bread vs Great American Bagel Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
House of Bread Franchise
Great American Bagel Franchise
Investment $157,000 - $347,000$230,000 - $300,000
Franchise Fee $35,000$20,000
Royalty Fee 6%4%
Advertising Fee -2%
Year Founded 19961987
Year Franchised 19980
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee $5K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
House of Bread Franchise
Great American Bagel Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    House of Bread Franchise
    Great American Bagel Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/-
    Start-up Costs No/No-/-
    Equipment No/No-/-
    Inventory No/No-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support

     
    House of Bread Franchise
    Great American Bagel Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives-
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, 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)

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    House of Bread Franchise
    Great American Bagel Franchise
    US Expansion --
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    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 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.