Southern Maid Donuts vs Hurts Donut Company Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Southern Maid Donuts Franchise
Hurts Donut Company Franchise
Investment $64,000 - $227,000$553,000 - $1,076,000
Franchise Fee $5,000$35,000
Royalty Fee -7%
Advertising Fee -2%
Year Founded -2013
Year Franchised -2014
Term Of Agreement --
Term Of Agreement --
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Southern Maid Donuts Franchise
Hurts Donut Company Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options
 
Southern Maid Donuts Franchise
Hurts Donut Company Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/--/-
Start-up Costs -/--/-
Equipment -/--/-
Inventory -/--/-
Receivables -/--/-
Payroll -/--/-

Training & Support
 
Southern Maid Donuts Franchise
Hurts Donut Company Franchise
Training --
Support --
Marketing --
Operations --

Expansion Plans
 
Southern Maid Donuts Franchise
Hurts Donut Company Franchise
US Expansion -Yes
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 Hurts Donut Company

"Hurts
Who is Hurts Donut?! How did it get started?! Well, the running joke is that Tim said it would be cheaper to open a donut shop than support my donut addiction! November 17th 2013, THE DAY BEFORE WE OPENED, we made our very first donut! The VERY FIRST donut either of us had ever made and it was just twelve hours before we opened our doors to the public... (that's not a typo!) We learned how to make donuts on YOUTUBE, bought all of our equipment on Craigslist and didn't even know if any of it would turn on. (Irresponsible? Maybe... Crazy passionate, motivated and fearless attitude!! DEFINITELY!!)We had less than $7 left in our bank account when we opened the doors to the public, and now there are 16 stores in the US! (The best part is, we are just getting started!!)In 2016 and 2017 we won an award that makes me exceptionally emotional... Hurts Donut received the Economic Impact of the year award for 1-5 years in business. WE SHARED THE STAGE WITH BASS PRO AND PRIME TRUCKING!!! (Are you serious?!) Prime did 1.8 BILLION dollars in revenue last year. And our little donut shop, less than 4 years old, was honored on the SAME STAGE as the most incredible businesses in Springfield. Their stories inspirational beyond measure. How could we possibly be in such good company?! Never, in my wildest dreams, did I think we would be where we are today.I'm so astronomically in love and thankful for my husband who is intelligent, business minded, hard working and selfless. Tim attributes our growth to his diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, it was the start of our model for giving back to those in need. We truly, truly, believe that you get what you GIVE. So we promised ourselves whenever we get, we give!! I remember feeling misplaced years before this, my heart was built for giving and I could never give enough. This business has given us so much purpose and your support gives us the means to give back to the community in an unimaginable way. We have been able to share our blessings and help so many people in need. Franchising was absolutely terrifying to me. I'm so passionate about my business and I couldn't imagine anyone loving Hurts Donut the way I do!!  Our franchises have brought amazing people close in my life!! It is the best thing, being able to call someone every day that can truly relate and understand my immense JOYS. They have by far exceeded our expectations and I am BEYOND proud of the hard work and success our franchisees have brought to our name!! I know every one of us will continue to pray and dream and work ourselves NUMB!! I owe the most colossal thank you to our outstanding employees, whose personalities are as colorful as the donuts in our case! Our over-willing managers and trainers who are so extremely talented and hard working! There's definitely a sense of family. Shout out to two very special employees, Misty and Ian who have been employed with us from day one and are still going strong today!! We started with SIX employees the day Hurts OG opened in Springfield!! Our Tulsa store sold 24,000 donuts opening day and had 112 employees the day they opened if that gives you an idea of how far we have come!!!