My Favorite Muffin vs Mara's Cafe and Bakery Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of My Favorite Muffin vs Mara's Cafe and Bakery including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
My Favorite Muffin Franchise
Mara's Cafe and Bakery Franchise
Investment $104,500 - $405,000N/A
Franchise Fee $25,000$25,000
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee 3%2% local + 1% Nat'l
Year Founded 19871984
Year Franchised 19882004
Term Of Agreement 10 years +1010 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years +1010 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
My Favorite Muffin Franchise
Mara's Cafe and Bakery Franchise
Experience -We are seeking motivated owner-operators with solid restaurant operating experience to join our system. In exchange, we will provide the tools and training you need to run your own Mara�s Caf� & Bakery location. We do, of course, also expect that you have the right amount of capital to invest in the franchise.

Financing Options

 
My Favorite Muffin Franchise
Mara's Cafe and Bakery Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/Yes-/-
Start-up Costs -/--/-
Equipment -/--/-
Inventory -/--/-
Receivables -/--/-
Payroll -/--/-

Training & Support

 
My Favorite Muffin Franchise
Mara's Cafe and Bakery Franchise
Training Our Training Sets Your Business Apart! Our goal is to help you achieve excellence in every aspect of your business. Towards that ambitious goal, you and your key personnel will receive intensive training that covers all areas of the operation. Our training program, comprised of hands-on learning in our company-owned location and classroom instruction includes:
  • Day-to-day restaurant operations
  • Hiring, training, and retaining good employees
  • Maintaining financial controls
  • Orientation to your Marketing team that will coordinate your local advertising
  • Operational training at your location as you open
  • Franchise owners and their key management staff will receive at least two weeks and up to three weeks of training, including both classroom and on-the-job training.
    Support Our Support Sets Your Business Apart! As a franchisor, BAB Systems, Inc. has always focused heavily on the level of support it provides to its franchisees and the importance of open lines of communication to foster strong franchisee relationships. Franchisees know they can count on us to watch our position within the industry and do what it takes to keep up with ever-changing consumer preferences and innovations in franchise support. Of course, since the first franchise, technological advancements have changed the face of franchising. Accordingly, as its product offering has evolved, so has its franchise support program, which now includes an exclusive franchise intranet web site. As a BAB Systems, Inc. franchisee, you'll receive guidance and assistance with the key steps involved in getting your new business up and running. Pre-opening support includes:
  • Site selection assistance.
  • Restaurant layout and design.
  • Coordination with national and regional suppliers.
  • Equipment, merchandise and services at negotiated rates.
  • Grand Opening marketing campaign.
  • Full seasonal marketing strategies, complete with compact disc for local production of advertising and other marketing materials.
  • E-Mail subscription program, through which participating franchisees are kept informed up to the minute on important breaking news as well as surveyed for their feedback.
  • A password-protected BAB Franchisee Intranet featuring a download center, on-line sales reporting, resource center and trading post. The BAB Systems, Inc. franchise program is designed to help franchise owners reach their individual growth potential. Whether you are interested in owning one or several BAB Systems, Inc. stores, we'll work with you to determine the growth options that are right for you.
  • Your team will receive five days of onsite help at your own location around the time of your grand opening. You will have access to all Mara's Caf� & Bakery trademarks, recipes and supply chains, and our unique operational procedures. And, we'll provide you with a copy of our confidential operations manual to help you run your caf� properly.
    Marketing --
    Operations Average Number of Employees: 3 Full-time, 11 Part-time

    Passive Ownership: Allowed, But Discouraged

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    My Favorite Muffin Franchise
    Mara's Cafe and Bakery Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion --
    International Expansion Yes-

    Company Overviews

    About My Favorite Muffin

    There's More In Store Than Ever Before! "Our success begins with fresh, made-from-scratch, premium bakery and baked goods...bagels, breads, muffins, and more. And, because the majority of our restaurants are both manufacturing and retail units, we have a streamlined distribution and operating system. Our unique approach in offering fresh, made-from-scratch food to our customers - coupled with a low initial investment level - is a formula for success. Success from scratch that is..." -- Michael W. Evans President and Chief Executive Officer Since 1993, BAB, Inc. has grown into a nationally-known franchisor of a restaurant concept with complementary products, a reasonable investment level, and an inherent competitive advantage as the low-cost producer in our segment. "We hope you will enjoy browsing our web site for more information about our business, the strength of our franchise organization, specialty holiday and year-round gift-giving opportunities, and investment opportunities. Today and always at BAB...there is more in store than ever before!" As a MY FAVORITE MUFFIN franchisee, you get to create and sell over 300 varieties of our special muffins in both regular and fat-free varieties. Where applicable, you can add BIG APPLE BAGELS and BREWSTER'S COFFEE to complement your wonderful muffins.

    The total initial investment necessary to begin operation of your first BAB Production Store ranges from $298,000 - $405,000, including $32,500 you must pay the franchisor or its affiliates.
    The total initial investment necessary to begin operation of your first BAB Satellite Store ranges from $104,250 - $283,000, including $18,000 you must pay the franchisor or its affiliates.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of your franchised BAB Area Development business is from $45,000 to $205,000, all of which you must pay the franchisor. That investment is in addition to the initial investment for your BAB Store. Under the Area Development Agreement, you must open a minimum of 2 BAB Stores.

    About Mara's Cafe and Bakery

    The concept behind Mara's Cafe & Bakery got its start in 1984 when Mara and Glenn's "mom and pop" business began offering customers the highest quality, delectable desserts made fresh in our own bakery and served with freshly roasted coffee. It was with the encouragement of our family and friends that we began creating delicious desserts from traditional family recipes and Glenn, a coffee perfectionist, distinguished a unique line of roasted coffee products. It wasn't long before we had customers coming in and out daily, requesting more of their favorite tasty treats and coffee beverages!

    In 2004, sons Ian and Devan joined the family business with great plans of expansion. After nearly twenty years of establishing a reputation for serving up the best coffee and desserts in town, we knew it was time to expand not only our business, but our menu as well. The first Mara's Cafe & Bakery was opened in Denville, NJ. With the addition of sandwiches, salads, wraps, and more, this simple "mom and pop" concept quickly became a family-run business - and the dining destination of choice during all hours of the day. Customers from all over soon realized Mara's was the best place to enjoy a delicious meal in a cozy atmosphere and began asking for more locations within their own communities. Thus, the idea to franchise our concept was conceived - after all, we couldn't let our customers down!

    Now is the time for you to take advantage of this incredible opportunity and bring our amazing concept to your home town. Discover how becoming a Mara's Cafe & Bakery franchise owner can be the greatest reward of your career - and possibly your life. With the help of our team of experts, our exclusive, award-winning recipes, and our time- tested business model, opening your own Mara's Cafe & Bakery could be as easy as.... pie!

    We sincerely appreciate your interest in Mara's Cafe & Bakery, The Magley Family