If operating a Bens Soft Pretzels Mobile Store, what is required?
Bens_Soft_Pretzels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
[Item 7: ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT]
YOUR ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (for a Mobile Store)
| Type of Expenditure* | Amount | Method of Payment | When Due | To Whom Payment Is To Be Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee (1) | $30,000 | Lump sum. | Due upon signing the Franchise Agreement. | Us. |
| Vehicle (5) | $27,000 to $89,000 | As arranged | Supplier’s terms | Other suppliers. |
| Travel and Living | $1,000 to $10,000 | As incurred. | Before opening. | Airlines, hotels and |
| Expenses During Training | Stores. | |||
| Office Equipment and | $500 to $1,000 | As incurred. | Before opening. | Other suppliers. |
| Supplies | ||||
| Business Insurance | $2,500 to $4,000 | As incurred. | Before opening. | Other suppliers. |
| Professional Fees (2) | $5,000 to $10,000 | As incurred. | Before opening. | Other suppliers or us. |
| Initial Inventory | $1,650 to $4,000 | As incurred. | Before opening. | Other suppliers. |
| Live Large Initial Inventory | $350 to $1,000 | As incurred. | Before opening. | Our affiliate Live Large Distribution Inc. |
| Equipment (including POS System) | $12,000 to $65,000 (with $1,000 to $11,500 potentially payable to our affiliate) | As incurred. | Before opening. | Other suppliers and our affiliate Live Large Distribution Inc. |
| Signage | $7,500 to $5,000 | As incurred. | Before opening. | Other suppliers and our affiliate Live Large Distribution Inc. |
| Type of Expenditure* | Amount | Method of Payment | When Due | To Whom Payment Is To Be Made |
| Business Licenses and | $500 to $2,000 | As incurred. | Before opening. | Other suppliers. |
| Permits | ||||
| Additional Funds for First | $10,000 to $20,000 | As incurred. | As incurred. | Third parties. |
| 3 Months (3) | ||||
| TOTAL | $98,000 to $241,000 | --- | --- | --- |
| (4) |
Source: Item 7 — ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (FDD pages 16–18)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bens Soft Pretzels' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, operating a Mobile Store requires several expenditures. The initial franchise fee is $30,000, paid as a lump sum upon signing the Franchise Agreement. A significant investment is the vehicle itself, estimated to cost between $27,000 and $89,000, with payment terms arranged with the supplier.
Additional costs include travel and living expenses during training, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. Office equipment and supplies are estimated at $500 to $1,000. Business insurance will cost between $2,500 and $4,000, while professional fees range from $5,000 to $10,000. Initial inventory costs between $1,650 and $4,000, with an additional Live Large initial inventory costing $350 to $1,000 payable to Bens Soft Pretzels' affiliate, Live Large Distribution Inc.
Further, franchisees must budget for equipment (including a POS system) which ranges from $12,000 to $65,000, with a portion potentially payable to Live Large Distribution Inc. Signage is estimated to cost between $7,500 and $5,000. Business licenses and permits range from $500 to $2,000. Finally, additional funds for the first three months of operation are estimated at $10,000 to $20,000. The total estimated initial investment for a Bens Soft Pretzels Mobile Store ranges from $98,000 to $241,000.