Great American Cookie Company vs Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Great American Cookie Company vs Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Great American Cookie Company Franchise
Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise
Investment $177,700 - $476,135$98,350 - $445,000
Franchise Fee $15,000 - $35,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 6%7%
Advertising Fee 1.5%1%
Year Founded 19771988
Year Franchised 19771989
Term Of Agreement Concurrent with lease5 years
Term Of Agreement Concurrent with lease5 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Great American Cookie Company Franchise
Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    Great American Cookie Company Franchise
    Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/Yes
    Payroll No/NoNo/Yes

    Training & Support

     
    Great American Cookie Company Franchise
    Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 37 hours Classroom Training: 36.5 hoursOn-The-Job Training: 32 hours Classroom Training: 40-64 hours
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Site Selection 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 Ad Templates National Media Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.

    53.9% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 9 - 12

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Great American Cookie Company Franchise
    Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About Great American Cookie Company

    Beginning an establishment is an interest in your vocation AND your group! Don't you need to be the one to convey the treat cake to your neighborhood?

    Our ease establishment opportunity is an incredible alternative for any individual who is searching for an approach to begin a profession as an entrepreneur! Every open door is distinctive, so whether you open your establishment in a shopping center, at an air terminal, or anyplace else in the middle of, you can alter your establishment for YOU!

    Great American Cookies opened its first store in Atlanta's Perimeter Mall in 1977. From one family chocolate treat formula, it included an entire line of treats and brownies and started diversifying in 1978. Notwithstanding normal treats, most stores highlight extensive plate-or dish estimated treats with customized messages for gatherings or unique events.

    On August 24, 1998, Mrs. Fields Original Cookies Inc. procured the organization. Mrs. Fields Famous Brands incorporates The Original Cookie Company, Pretzel Time, Hot Sam, Pretzelmaker and Mrs. Fields Cookies

    Franchisor is seeking new franchise units throughout the U.S., Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Central America, Middle East, Mexico, South America
    Veteran Incentives  25% off first-store franchise fee

    "franchiserankingscom"
    #70 on Franchise Rankings.com
    #136 in Franchise 500 for 2020.


    About Auntie Anne's Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels

    Anne Beiler had been baking most of her life, but it wasn't until she began managing a concession stand at a farmer's market in Maryland that she thought about starting a business. The stand served pizzas, pretzels, chips and candy, with the pretzels outselling everything else. Beiler stopped selling pizza and began hand-rolling pretzels in front of her customers, making the snack even more popular. Eventually, Beiler bought her own stand, naming it Auntie Anne's, and, soon two of her brothers were operating Auntie Anne's booths of their own. Today, Auntie Anne's locations serve a variety of pretzels, dipping sauces and drinks.

    Join us in putting the hand-rolled deliciousness of Auntie Anne’s® soft pretzels into more people’s hands. We are looking for franchise owners to extend our reach into street side locations, tourist locations, colleges, and more. Our guests savor Auntie Anne’s® pretzels’ unique flavor profile. You’ll value the strong financials, culture that promotes community involvement, and opportunities afforded you by our impressive global footprint. The future is looking bright for our franchise owners. Get in on the goodness now.

    As we rise, you shine.

    Auntie Anne's® is looking for people with a passion for business, matched by their desire to deliver the highest-quality customer service and hospitality. Candidates should have:
    "Fork
    Business Experience
    (Restaurant Experience Preferred)
    "Money"
    $100K+ Liquid Capital
    $300K Net Worth
    "People"
    People Skills
    Connected to the Community
    "Hand
    Philanthropic Values

     Stores can be found in shopping centers, airports and train stations across the United States and Worldwide.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of an Auntie Anne's® franchise ranges from $156,350 to $445,000. This includes $30,000 to $30,400 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Shop within a temporary stand in a farmers’ market, a concession trailer, or a food truck (a “Concession Shop”) is $98,350 to $253,000. This includes $10,000 to $10,400 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.

    Veteran Incentives  $10,000 off franchise fee

    "Entrepreneur
    #400 in Franchise 500 for 2020.