Applegate Farm vs sweetFrog Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Applegate Farm vs sweetFrog including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Applegate Farm Franchise
sweetFrog Franchise
Investment $137,650 - $322,000$95,600 - $477,500
Franchise Fee $25,000$15,000 - $30,000
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee 2%local+2% Nat'l1.5%
Year Founded -2009
Year Franchised -2012
Term Of Agreement 5 Years +5+5+510 years
Term Of Agreement 5 Years +5+5+510 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Applegate Farm Franchise
sweetFrog Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
Applegate Farm Franchise
sweetFrog Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/--/Yes
Start-up Costs -/--/Yes
Equipment -/--/Yes
Inventory -/--/Yes
Receivables -/--/Yes
Payroll -/--/Yes

Training & Support

 
Applegate Farm Franchise
sweetFrog Franchise
Training 80 hours over approximately two weeks. Includes both classroom and on-the-job training. On-The-Job Training: 24 hours Classroom Training: 24 hours Additional Training: As needed
Support -Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing -Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
Operations -

50% of all franchisees own more than one unit.

Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2 - 4.

Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (50% of current franchisees are owner/operators).


Expansion Plans

 
Applegate Farm Franchise
sweetFrog Franchise
US Expansion -No
Canada Expansion -No
International Expansion -No

Company Overviews

About Applegate Farm

Applegate Farm has grown to be one of the largest retail outlets for ice cream on the East Coast. In 1980, Mrs. Betty Vhay became the new owner of Applegate Farm. In an effort to oversee all aspects of the business the Vhay family moved into the original farmhouse. Mrs. Vhay became Mrs. Wayne Niles in 1991 and eventually transferred ownership to her nephew and his wife Mr. and Mrs. Jason Street. Working together, the entire family contributes to maintaining the century-old tradition of the best homemade ice cream and sweet treats in the 21st century.

About sweetFrog

Shortly after moving to Richmond, Virginia, in 2009, Derek Cha brought the West-Coast frozen yogurt trend to his new home by opening the first sweetFrog store. In addition to a variety of frozen yogurt flavors and toppings, sweetFrog locations offer waffle cones and bowls, Belgian waffles, banana splits and parfaits.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a sweetFrog Shop is $231,500 - $477,500 for a Shop in Traditional Venue, $95,600 - $304,000 for a Kiosk Shop or Standard Floor Plan Shop in Non-Traditional Venue and $122,400 - $219,300 for a Truck.

#23 on Entrepreneur's ranking of the top 150 franchises offering incentives and other programs to help veterans become franchisees

Seeking new franchise units throughout the U.S., Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Central America, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Mexico, Philippines, South America and Western Europe    
Veteran Incentives  25% off franchise fee (50% off in May and November)