South Bend Chocolate Company vs Sir Chocolate Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of South Bend Chocolate Company vs Sir Chocolate including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
South Bend Chocolate Company Franchise
Sir Chocolate Franchise
Investment $85,700 - $676,460$41,300 - $136,500
Franchise Fee $35,000$25,000
Royalty Fee 4%5%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19912003
Year Franchised 19972004
Term Of Agreement 4 years7 years
Term Of Agreement 4 years7 years
Renewal Fee $150$5K/$10K


Business Experience Requirements
 
South Bend Chocolate Company Franchise
Sir Chocolate Franchise
Experience
  • Overall qualifications considered; no specific experience is necessary
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    South Bend Chocolate Company Franchise
    Sir Chocolate 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
     
    South Bend Chocolate Company Franchise
    Sir Chocolate Franchise
    Training Ongoing (monthly visits)* Available at headquarters: 3 days

    * At franchisee's location: 3-5 days
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations-
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising-
    Operations 0% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6 - 20

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

    		* Franchise can be run from home

    * Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2

    * Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    South Bend Chocolate Company Franchise
    Sir Chocolate Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About South Bend Chocolate Company

    Chocolate is in the Tarner family's blood. When Mark Tarner founded the South Bend Chocolate Company (SBCC) in 1991, he had already spent several years working in his father's chocolate factory. Privately owned and operated, the South Bend Chocolate Company got its start making chocolates under a license from the University of Notre Dame, and currently makes licensed chocolates for other schools, including Indiana University and Purdue University. In addition, South Bend Chocolate Company also wholesales its product line to gift shops, gourmet food stores, coffee shops and gift basket companies throughout the country.
    South Bend Chocolate Company franchises operate retail kiosks, Chocolate Caf'ites and Caf'xpress coffee carts in malls throughout Indiana and other states.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of the Kiosk model ranges from $85,700 to $111,005, and for the Cafe Model range from $340,552 to $676,460.
    For the Kiosk model, this includes $55,000 to $57,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate, and for the Café model includes $57,000 to $61,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate.




    About Sir Chocolate

    NO LONGER FRANCHISING

    Sir Chocolate began as a one-man operation with only a single chocolate fountain. Since then, the company has expanded from a homebased business into a combination warehouse, kitchen and office. The lone fountain has grown into a mobile chocolate fountain cart made for special events, a retail outlet and fondue gift baskets. Franchisees have three options for running their business: catering, retail and a retail-vending cart.