Southern Maid Donuts vs Bread Poets Baking Company Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Southern Maid Donuts Franchise
Bread Poets Baking Company Franchise
Investment $64,000 - $227,000$166,000 - $259,000
Franchise Fee $5,000$24,000
Royalty Fee -4%
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Business Experience Requirements

 
Southern Maid Donuts Franchise
Bread Poets Baking Company Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
Southern Maid Donuts Franchise
Bread Poets Baking Company Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
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Training & Support

 
Southern Maid Donuts Franchise
Bread Poets Baking Company Franchise
Training --
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Expansion Plans

 
Southern Maid Donuts Franchise
Bread Poets Baking Company Franchise
US Expansion --
Canada Expansion --
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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 Bread Poets Baking Company

Thank you for your interest in opening a Bread Poets. Whether you want to "roll” in the dough or just make lots of bread - Bread Poets offers a turn-key system for you to realize the American dream.

Bread Poets provides a unique opportunity to make an incredible tangible product and immediately see the fruits of your labor. Sure it’s hard work but having been in this business for almost 15 years, we can honestly say that it is extremely gratifying!

We take the franchising end of our business very seriously and are committed to giving our franchisees all the tools necessary to succeed. However, with any business venture, the recipe for success falls squarely on the shoulders of the individuals running each location. There’s an old adage in the franchise business: "You’re in business for yourself but not by yourself”. Therein lies the strength of a franchise system. We’ve been through many hardships, constantly refined our systems and recipes, and basically know this business inside and out. You not only invest in the name Bread Poets and our products, but you benefit from the lessons we’ve already learned - giving you the advantage to hit the ground running with a tried and true system that works and a product that will simply amaze your customers!

We hope you’ve had the chance to visit Bread Poets - soaking in the atmosphere of busy bakers hoppin’ around the bakery to an upbeat melody as the fresh bread is being pulled from the oven. The sight, the sound, the smell and the taste leave an indelible impression on all who walk through our doors. The products are unique only to us and the chatter at the bread board affirms that there is nothing quite like Bread Poets bread.

If you should be among the chosen to open a Bread Poets you will spend time in our Bismarck location learning how to run a bakery - from doing the doughs, to baking, to customer service up at the counter. We will cover it all. There will also be office training that covers bookkeeping, recordkeeping, ordering and staffing.