Just Fresh vs Southern Maid Donuts Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Just Fresh Franchise
Southern Maid Donuts Franchise
Investment $475,000 - $650,000$64,000 - $227,000
Franchise Fee $25,000$5,000
Royalty Fee 5%-
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 1993-
Year Franchised 2003-
Term Of Agreement --
Term Of Agreement --
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Just Fresh Franchise
Southern Maid Donuts Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Just Fresh Franchise
    Southern Maid Donuts 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

     
    Just Fresh Franchise
    Southern Maid Donuts Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations-
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising-
    Operations

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 12 - 15

    (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    Just Fresh Franchise
    Southern Maid Donuts Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion No-

    Company Overviews

    About Just Fresh

    At Just Fresh, we're committed to serving great tasting foods that are consistent with today's healthier lifestyle, never see a fryer, and include lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts and grains, as well as poultry, seafood and lean meats. Besides our signature tossed-to-order salads, we feature delicious wraps and sandwiches made with our fresh baked breads, comforting soups, fabulous pastas and pizzas and a kid's menu that every parent will find appealing. We round it out with hassle-free, take home specialties and a variety of beverages, not to mention those Legendary Just Fresh Big Cookies. There really is something for everyone at Just Fresh!

    About Southern Maid Donuts

    Southern Maid Donuts began in 1937 by Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Hargrove. A young couple coming out of the throws of the Great Depression, they created Southern Maid because they saw the need in the market for quality donuts. They created their own recipes, which have stood the test of time. Quality ingredients and uncompromised procedures are reason for the continued success of the Hargrove family to this very day.

    The product was so well accepted that besides selling donuts in their privately owned shops that they were sought out by individuals wanting to use Southern Maid products in their own bakeries and stores. The Hargrove couple began to license their trademark and to help individuals realize their dreams of owning their own businesses. Today, Southern Maid is used in over 100 stores.

    The Southern Maid name came about because of being from the South. Mr. and Mrs. Hargrove wanted a name that encompassed a feeling as well as humble southern traditions and memories. Part of this Southern Maid tradition was a large sponsorship for several years of the Louisiana Hayride Show in Shreveport, Louisiana. Many a young entertainer sang the praises of Southern Maid Donuts. An interesting note: Elvis did the only commercial of his life for any product on November 6th, 1954 for Southern Maid Donuts. He sang the jingle. "You can get them piping hot after 4 P.M., you can get them piping hot, Southern Maid Donuts hits the spot, you can get them piping hot after 4 P.M." Elvis frequented the Shreveport store for donuts on his visits to the Louisiana Hayride. Other entertainers that sang the praises of Southern Maid include Minnie Pearl, Johnny Horton, and Johnny Cash. The Johnny Cash version was released on the Best of the Louisiana Hayride Volume 4.

    Southern Maid products are also used institutionally in the form of pancake and muffin mixes. The Hargroves had created a pancake mix for home use. Over time, the mix was given to friends and family members. The requests for the mix got so large that they began to package it in 50-pound bags for selling to hotels and restaurants.

    Southern Maid has remained a tradition in the South because of the continued use of quality ingredients and procedures. We have been family owned since inception in 1937. Though Mr. and Mrs. Hargrove have since passed on, Southern Maid has evolved into the second and third generations of family ownership and management.