South Bend Chocolate Co.

Chocolates & desserts

Background

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.

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

Express/kiosk option available

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)