Pretzel Time vs Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Pretzel Time vs Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Pretzel Time Franchise
Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn Franchise
Investment $145,000 - $254,000$160,500 - $442,500
Franchise Fee $25,000$28,000
Royalty Fee 7%6%
Advertising Fee 1-3%1-2%
Year Founded 19912009
Year Franchised 19922013
Term Of Agreement 7 years-
Term Of Agreement 7 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Pretzel Time Franchise
Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
Pretzel Time Franchise
Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees No/Yes-/-
Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
Equipment No/Yes-/-
Inventory No/Yes-/-
Receivables No/No-/-
Payroll No/No-/-

Training & Support

 
Pretzel Time Franchise
Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn Franchise
Training -o Two Full Weeks of pre-opening training at our corporate support center o One Full Week of training at your location. o Training on our proprietary recipes, production methods, and packaging. o A detailed operations manual to help guide your day-to-day operations.
Support -o Help in locating and setting up your popcorn shop franchise location, whether a kiosk or small storefront. o Local advertising and marketing assistance, including print and online materials, gift cards and customer-loyalty programs, plus social media, email promotions, community networking guidance and more. o Established supplier relationships with approved vendors. o A customized point-of-sale computer system, to guide efficient daily operations and reporting functions. o Ongoing support including remote support, refresher training, and periodic field visits from the corporate team.
Marketing --
Operations -o Stand-alone stores

o In-line stores

o Kiosks

o Multiple revenue streams: retail, fundraisers, corporate gifting, weddings, web

o Owner operators preferred

o 1 � 2 employees


Expansion Plans

 
Pretzel Time Franchise
Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn Franchise
US Expansion -Yes
Canada Expansion No-
International Expansion No-

Company Overviews

About Pretzel Time

Pretzel Time introduced their famous soft pretzel in 1991 and have grown to become leaders in the soft pretzel category, specializing in offering steaming hot, fresh-baked, fresh twisted pretzels, pretzel dogs, freshly squeezed lemonade, and cold beverages all over the world. Pretzel Time operates over 190 stores located in 30 states and five international locations. NexCen added Pretzel Time to its QSR segment in August 2007. With the brand's commitment to fresh quality products and innovative new menu items, NexCen's marketing and branding experts will build the pretzel business beyond "just the pretzel concept in the mall," into a unified brand with strong positioning, a product innovation focus and a compelling look and feel. NexCen plans to elevate the pretzel business in consumers' minds in both the domestic and international marketplace. For more information, please visit www.pretzeltime.com

About Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn

Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn Company has taken the nostalgia of hot, fresh movie-theatre popcorn and the old-fashioned idea of providing great customer service and given it a modern twist. The result? A fun and appealing gourmet popcorn franchise opportunity. As a hometown company with a solid history, great brand recognition, and high regard in our community, we have always used the highest quality corn and popped it daily in small batches so it's as fresh as possible for every customer. We can show you how it's done! Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn Company is more than a fresh and tasty treat. It can also be the perfect way to say thank-you, convey greetings, or raise money for a worthwhile cause. Discovering the many ways that popcorn can bring happiness to a wide range of customers and even how it can make a positive difference in your local community might just be the most rewarding part of owning your own gourmet popcorn franchise. If you have a taste for a future that's all about making people happy while creating independence for yourself, consider a Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn franchise! Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn Company appeals to all types of customer groups: young and old, families and corporations. With our array of delicious flavors, just about everyone can find something to love about our popcorn. Customers can even assemble their own custom assortments of colors and flavors for fundraising, special events, and gift giving. And with popcorn balls or frosted nuts to add to the mix, the possibilities for pleasing your customers are nearly endless! This also means that as a franchise owner, operating your own flexible and streamlined storefront or kiosk-based retail food franchise, your potential revenue sources are also broad and varied. o Stand-alone stores o In-line stores o Kiosks o Multiple revenue streams: retail, fundraisers, corporate gifting, weddings, web