South Bend Chocolate Co.
Chocolates & dessertsBackground
Founded: 1991 Franchising since: 1997
Chocolate is in the Tarner family's blood. When Mark Tarner founded the South Bend Chocolate Company (SBCC) in 1991, he had already spent several years working in his father's chocolate factory. Privately owned and operated, the SBCC got its start making chocolates under a license from the University of Notre Dame, and currently makes licensed chocolates for other schools, including Indiana University and Purdue University. In addition, SBCC also wholesales its product line to gift shops, gourmet food stores, coffee shops and gift basket companies throughout the country. SBCC franchises operate retail kiosks, Chocolate Café sites and Café Express coffee carts in malls throughout Indiana and other states.
Franchisor has 60 employee(s); 3 employee(s) in franchise department.
Franchise Growth
Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North carolina, New hampshire, New jersey, New mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South carolina, Tennessee, Texas, United states, Utah, Vermont, West virginia, Wyoming
Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: 1 mile or master franchise for states
Chocolate is in the Tarner family's blood. When Mark Tarner founded the South Bend Chocolate Company (SBCC) in 1991, he had already spent several years working in his father's chocolate factory. Privately owned and operated, the SBCC got its start making chocolates under a license from the University of Notre Dame, and currently makes licensed chocolates for other schools, including Indiana University and Purdue University. In addition, SBCC also wholesales its product line to gift shops, gourmet food stores, coffee shops and gift basket companies throughout the country. SBCC franchises operate retail kiosks, Chocolate Café sites and Café Express coffee carts in malls throughout Indiana and other states.
|
3300 W. Sample St. South Bend, Indiana 46619 |
Phone: (574)233-2577 |
Franchisor has 60 employee(s); 3 employee(s) in franchise department.
Franchise Growth
| Year | U.S. Franchises | Canadian Franchises | Foreign Franchises | Company Owned |
| 2005 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North carolina, New hampshire, New jersey, New mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South carolina, Tennessee, Texas, United states, Utah, Vermont, West virginia, Wyoming
Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: 1 mile or master franchise for states
Costs and Fees
|
Total investment: $74.95K-295.5K Franchise fee: $35K |
Ongoing royalty fee: 4% Term of agreement: 4 years, renewable |
Type of Financing Available
| In-House | Third Party | |
| Franchise Fee | No | No |
| Startup Costs | No | No |
| Equipment | No | No |
| Inventory | No | No |
| Accounts Receivable | No | No |
| Payroll | No | No |
Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $200K
Cash liquidity requirement: $50K
Business Experience:
- Overall qualifications considered; no specific experience is necessary
Operations
- Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6 - 20
- Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)
Training and Support
Training
Ongoing Support
Marketing Support
- Available at headquarters: 10 days
- At franchisee's location: 80 hours
- Ongoing (monthly visits)
Ongoing Support
- Newsletter
- Meetings
- Toll-free phone line
- Grand opening
- Internet
- Field operations/evaluations
Marketing Support
- Co-op advertising
- Ad slicks
- Regional advertising