What is the total estimated initial investment range for a Bens Soft Pretzels franchise?
Bens_Soft_Pretzels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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| 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. | |
| 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 | $1,000 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 | $2,150 to $6,500 | As incurred. | Before opening. | Other suppliers. | |
| Live Large Initial Inventory | $350 to $1,000 | As incurred. | Before opening. | Our affiliate Live Large Distribution Inc. | |
| Security Deposit | $1,600 to $12,000 | As incurred. | Before opening. | Landlord and our affiliates Ben’s Soft Pretzels LLC and Evan Jones Management Inc. | |
| First 3 Month’s Rent | $3,600 to $18,000 | As incurred | Before opening for the first month, monthly thereafter. | Landlord and our affiliates Ben’s Soft Pretzels LLC and Evan Jones Management Inc. | |
| Leasehold Improvements | $25,000 to $125,000 | As incurred. | Before opening. | Other suppliers. | |
| Equipment, including Starter Kit, Display Cabinets and Countertops and POS | $27,500 to $65,000 (with $4,500 to $11,500 potentially payable to our affiliate) | 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 | |
| Signage | $1,000 to $10,000 | As incurred. | Before opening. | Other suppliers and our affiliate Live Large Distribution Inc. | |
| Furniture and Fixtures | $2,000 to $5,000 | As incurred | Before opening | Other suppliers. | |
| Business Licenses and | $500 to $2,000 | As incurred. | Before opening. | Other suppliers. | |
| Permits | |||||
| Grand Opening Advertising | $1,000 to $5,000 | Lump sum. | Within three months of the opening of your Store. | Other suppliers. | |
| Additional Funds for First | $20,000 to $40,000 | As incurred. | As incurred. | Third parties. | |
| 3 Months (3) | |||||
| TOTAL | $122,200 to | --- | --- | --- | |
| (4) | $344,500 | # 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) | * Amounts paid to us are not refundable. Amounts paid to others may not be refundable. |
- (1) Initial Franchise Fee. The initial franchise fee is $30,000. For an additional franchise, the initial franchise fee is $25,000.
Source: Item 7 — ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT (FDD pages 16–18)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Bens Soft Pretzels Franchise Disclosure Document, the total estimated initial investment for a traditional or captive venue store ranges from $122,200 to $344,500. This investment covers various expenses, including the initial franchise fee of $30,000, travel and living expenses during training which range from $1,000 to $10,000, office equipment and supplies ($500 to $1,000), business insurance ($1,000 to $4,000), and professional fees ($5,000 to $10,000). It also includes initial inventory costs between $2,150 and $6,500, a Live Large initial inventory from $350 to $1,000, security deposits ranging from $1,600 to $12,000, and the first three months' rent, which could be between $3,600 and $18,000. Leasehold improvements account for a significant portion of the investment, estimated between $25,000 and $125,000. Equipment, including a starter kit, display cabinets, countertops, and a POS system, ranges from $27,500 to $65,000, with a portion potentially payable to an affiliate. Signage costs are estimated between $1,000 and $10,000, while furniture and fixtures range from $2,000 to $5,000. Business licenses and permits can cost between $500 and $2,000, and a grand opening advertising spend of $1,000 to $5,000 is expected. Finally, additional funds for the first three months are estimated to be between $20,000 and $40,000.
For a mobile store, the total estimated initial investment ranges from $98,000 to $241,000. This includes the initial franchise fee of $30,000, a vehicle costing between $27,000 and $89,000, travel and living expenses during training ($1,000 to $10,000), office equipment and supplies ($500 to $1,000), and business insurance ($2,500 to $4,000). Professional fees are estimated at $5,000 to $10,000, initial inventory ranges from $1,650 to $4,000, and the Live Large initial inventory costs between $350 and $1,000. Equipment, including a POS system, ranges from $12,000 to $65,000, with a portion potentially payable to an affiliate. Signage is estimated between $7,500 and $5,000, business licenses and permits range from $500 to $2,000, and additional funds for the first three months are estimated to be between $10,000 and $20,000.
It is important to note that these are estimates, and the actual costs may vary. The FDD indicates that amounts paid to Bens Soft Pretzels are non-refundable, while amounts paid to others may not be refundable. The availability and terms of financing will depend on factors such as the franchisee's creditworthiness and the lending policies of financing institutions, as Bens Soft Pretzels does not generally offer direct or indirect financing for the initial investment. For mobile stores, the estimate assumes the franchisee will lease or buy a basic truck, and the low estimate assumes financing the truck. The estimate does not include the costs to brand the vehicle, which is included in signage.
A prospective Bens Soft Pretzels franchisee should carefully review these estimated costs and consider their own financial situation before making a decision. It would be prudent to inquire with the franchisor about the factors that could cause these costs to vary and to seek professional financial advice.