Zoup! Fresh Soup Company vs Original SoupMan, The Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Zoup! Fresh Soup Company vs Original SoupMan, The including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Zoup! Fresh Soup Company Franchise
Original SoupMan, The Franchise
Investment $355,900 - $648,500$79,500 - $198,500
Franchise Fee $39,900$30,000
Royalty Fee 6%5%
Advertising Fee 1%-
Year Founded 19981984
Year Franchised 20032005
Term Of Agreement 5 years, Renewable for 3 additional 5 year periods-
Term Of Agreement 5 years, Renewable for 3 additional 5 year periods-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Zoup! Fresh Soup Company Franchise
Original SoupMan, The Franchise
Experience
  • Restaurant experience is helpful but not required
  • Strong Management Skills Important
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Zoup! Fresh Soup Company Franchise
    Original SoupMan, The Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/No
    Equipment No/YesNo/No
    Inventory No/YesNo/No
    Receivables No/YesNo/No
    Payroll No/YesNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Zoup! Fresh Soup Company Franchise
    Original SoupMan, The Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 72 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours -
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform -
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app -
    Operations 30% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10 - 14

    Absentee Ownership Allowed

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    Zoup! Fresh Soup Company Franchise
    Original SoupMan, The Franchise
    US Expansion No-
    Canada Expansion YesNo
    International Expansion NoNo

    Company Overviews

    About Zoup! Fresh Soup Company

    The first Zoup! opened in 1998 in Southfield, MI, a suburb of Detroit. Over the next five years, the founders opened five more Detroit-area locations, and in 2003 they began to franchise the concept. Zoup! restaurants feature 12 rotating daily varieties of soup, including low-fat, vegetarian, gluten and dairy free options. Made-to-order salads, sandwiches and baked goods are also available.

    Seeking new franchise units in Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Midwest, Northeast, West, Canada
    Veteran Incentives  $2,500 off franchise fee

    "Top
    #53 in Gator's Top franchises.

    About Original SoupMan, The

    In 1984, The Original SoupMan opened its doors at 55th Street & 8th Avenue in Manhattan. The tiny storefront quickly became a worldwide destination. Rated #1 by Zagat and praised by the New York Times as "Art, not Soup", it set the standard for innovation and excellence long before the famous Seinfeld episode made it a cultural icon. The Company's franchise operations include highly visible locations in the Mohegan Sun Casinos and more.