Southern Maid Donuts vs Cookie Advantage Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Southern Maid Donuts Franchise
Cookie Advantage Franchise
Investment $64,000 - $227,000$75,000 - $100,000
Franchise Fee $5,000$25,000
Royalty Fee -5%--3%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded -1998
Year Franchised -2002
Term Of Agreement --
Term Of Agreement --
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Southern Maid Donuts Franchise
Cookie Advantage Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
Southern Maid Donuts Franchise
Cookie Advantage 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

 
Southern Maid Donuts Franchise
Cookie Advantage Franchise
Training --
Support --
Marketing --
Operations -Cookie Advantage is a hands-on, owner�operated business that you have to run. The Franchise is not a passive investment. We expect our Franchisees to take an ongoing, active role in their Franchise, but you do not have to be in the bakery all the time.

Expansion Plans

 
Southern Maid Donuts Franchise
Cookie Advantage Franchise
US Expansion --
Canada Expansion --
International Expansion --

Company Overviews

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.

About Cookie Advantage

Cookie Advantage is a Customer Care Follow-Up Program designed to develop a relationship with your customer by sending to them a gift tin of made from scratch chocolate chip cookies as a way of saying "Thank You". Our program revolves around a designer canister of made-from-scratch chocolate chip cookies which are baked fresh the day they are sent to your customers. Your carefully prepared gift package will include the delicious cookies and two custom designed gift cards. The first card is personalized with your company logo and an individual message. The second card is postage paid customer survey card specifically to include the information you want to know from your customer. Our goal is to place you in the most favorable position to receive repeat and referral business. We do all the work on your behalf and you get all the credit!Cookie Advantage is a great tasting way to say "THANK YOU!"
Cookie Advantage - Giving you an advantage over the competition with fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies! Our program is designed for our franchisees to be able to work around their schedules and still participate in their family life. Our goal is for each of our franchisees to work a four-day workweek, Monday through Thursday, after the territory is fully developed.