Do you think of starting your own business in the food industry? Do you want to see people happy while they eat tasty sweets or desserts in the restaurant? If so, a Belgian waffle franchise may be exactly what you’ve been looking for! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the exciting world of Belgian waffle franchises, focusing on one of the fastest-growing chains in the market: The Belgian Waffle Co. We’ll also delve into the important aspect of Belgian waffle franchise cost.
Background Information about Belgian Waffles
Before we dive into the world of franchising and Belgian waffle franchise costs, let’s take a moment to appreciate the star of the show: the Belgian waffle. These are known for their thickness, crisp outside layer, and soft inside texture and are probably the most famous kind of waffles at the moment. These waffles work well on their own, garnished with fruits of your choice, or covered with a thick layer of sticky and smooth chocolate, which makes them a favorite dessert among young and old.
Meet The Belgian Waffle Co.
The Belgian Waffle Co. started in 2015 in India, has grown to become one of the most popular dessert brands. Let’s get to know this waffle wonder a bit better:
- Founders: Shrey Aggarwal and Alisha
- Founding Year: 2015
- Growth: From having a single outlet to having over 450 outlets within a space of 8 years
- Reach: Currently operating in 160 Indian cities and Nepal
- Daily Sales: 45,500+ waffles sold per day
- Franchise Network: 220+ franchisee partners
The Belgian Waffle Co. has not only captured the hearts (and taste buds) of waffle lovers but has also earned industry recognition:
- Winner of the 2018 Franchisor of the Year Award, Dessert Category.
- Most popular and awarded as the Most Admired Food Start-Up in 2019
- In the food service category, it won the “Asia Food Innovation Awards” in the previous year, 2019.
Being relatively young and rapidly developing, The Belgian Waffle Co. is a perfect chance for those who are aiming to use the services of a food franchise and are interested in the Belgian waffle franchise cost.
Franchise Options: Kiosk vs. Cafe Models and Their Belgian Waffle Franchise Costs
The Belgian Waffle Co. offers two franchise models to suit different investment levels and location types:
- Kiosk Model
- Ideal for: Supermarkets, hi-tech business districts, or workplaces.
- Space required: 80 to 100 sq. ft.
- Belgian waffle franchise cost (Investment range): 10 to 13 lakhs
- Cafe Model
- Ideal for: Congested areas, areas of tourist interests, and Information technology hubs.
- Space required: 200 to 250 sq. ft.
- Belgian waffle franchise cost (Investment range): 15 to 20 lakhs
In terms of the opportunity to offer the lovely range of Belgian waffles, both models seem quite suitable, but the cafe model offers a larger seating area, and, most likely, a bigger range of products.
Breaking Down the Belgian Waffle Franchise Costs
Let’s take a closer look at the costs involved in starting a Belgian Waffle Co. franchise for both models:
Kiosk Model Costs
- Franchise Fee: 2 lakhs
- Estimated Setup Cost: 5 to 9 lakhs
- Initial Inventory: 1 to 2 lakhs
- Security Deposit: 1.5 lakhs (refundable)
- Working Capital: 3 lakhs
- Total Belgian waffle franchise cost: 10 to 13 lakhs
Cafe Model Costs
- Franchise Fee: 3.5 lakhs
- Estimated Setup Cost: 10 to 14 lakhs
- Initial Inventory: 2 to 3 lakhs
- Security Deposit: 1.5 lakhs (refundable)
- Working Capital: 5 lakhs
- Total Belgian waffle franchise cost: 15 to 20 lakhs
In both models, the franchisee is expected to pay a royalty fee of 8.5 percent of the net sales. This fee helps in sustaining other forms of brand support, marketing, and other services by the franchisor.
Location
Choosing the right location is the key to success when it comes to the Belgian waffle franchise businesses. Here are some tips for selecting the perfect spot:
Kiosk Model
- Shopping Malls: Heavy traffic and target mode of transportation
- IT Parks: Target the youthful working population in their search for confectionaries
- Office Areas: Feed the business people during lunchtime and in the evening when they are off from work.
Cafe Model
- Busy Streets: Catch the attention of the pedestrians and people from surrounding neighborhoods
- Tourist Areas: Take advantage of the tourists looking for novelty souvenirs.
- Tech Parks: To cater to larger groups and offer a sit-down service
Anyway, the main goal is to choose locations that are densely populated and the population will prefer to buy qualitative desserts.
The Sweet Side: Profit Potential
Now, let’s talk about everyone’s favorite topic: profits! The Belgian Waffle Co. franchise offers an attractive profit potential for motivated entrepreneurs:
- Net Profit Margin: 18% to 25% once operating costs, employee’s salaries, and other expenses are excluded
- Return on Investment (ROI): The Belgian waffle franchise cost can easily be recuperated in between 13 to 15 months.
Such numbers turn The Belgian Waffle Co. franchise into a perfect choice for those willing to invest in the food business and get a relatively fast return on investment.
How to Join the Waffle Family
Interested in exploring the Belgian waffle franchise cost and opportunities? Here’s a step-by-step guide to applying for a franchise:
- Visit the official website: Visit the website of the Belgian Waffle. Co and get to know more about the brand.
- Navigate to the “Franchise” section: Search for franchise business information based on the type of opportunity.
- Fill out the application form: Submit your details, your business experience, and your preferred location.
- Submit the form: Make sure to cross-check all the information provided before submitting the article.
- Wait for a response: The franchise team will go through your application and contact you regarding the next steps.
Note that this process takes time, therefore; do not get impatient with the process. To avoid a mismatch between the company and the partner, the company will undertake thorough assessments to determine the suitability for both companies.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Belgian Waffle Franchise
Like in any business undertaking one must look at the positive and negative aspects of the business. Let’s look at the pros and cons of owning a Belgian Waffle Co. franchise:
Pros
- Established Brand Name: Use the advantages of being associated with a brand that will already have known market recognition.
- Proven Business Model: Take advantage of a system that has demonstrated effectiveness in a variety of sites.
- Training and Support: Get all the training that you can from the franchisor and receive continuous support from him.
- Standardized Recipes and Ingredients: Try to maintain the quality of products and services offered in all outlets.
- Marketing and Advertising Support: Take advantage of advertising activities that are coordinated by the franchisor.
- Quick ROI: Ability to get back your Belgian waffle franchise cost within 13-15 months.
Cons
- Royalty Fees: Annual percentage of 8.5% on the net sales.
- Location Dependency: The Company’s success factors tend to be significantly dependent on the selection of the correct site.
- Operational Challenges: Overseeing staff, stock, and general administration is never easy.
- Limited Menu Control: Less freedom in changing certain aspects of menus or bringing up new items without getting permission from the franchisor.
Comparison with Other Dessert Franchises
To help you make an informed decision about the Belgian waffle franchise cost, let’s compare The Belgian Waffle Co. franchise with other popular dessert franchises in India:
Franchise Name | Initial Investment | Royalty Fee | Space Required | ROI Period |
The Belgian Waffle Co. | 10-20 lakhs | 8.5% | 80-250 sq. ft. | 13-15 months |
Baskin Robbins | 20-30 lakhs | 10% | 300-500 sq. ft. | 24-36 months |
Cream Stone | 15-25 lakhs | 5% | 200-400 sq. ft. | 18-24 months |
Kwality Walls | 5-10 lakhs | 10% | 100-200 sq. ft. | 12-18 months |
Thick Shake Factory | 15-25 lakhs | 6% | 150-300 sq. ft. | 18-24 months |
As you can observe, The Belgian Waffle Co. has a moderate investment range and can generate a return on investment much earlier than some of the selling dessert franchises in India.
Is a Belgian Waffle Franchise Business Right for You?
Having gone through all the information about the Belgian Waffle franchise cost and opportunities, you may be asking yourself if a Belgian Waffle Co. franchise is right for you. Here are some factors to consider:
- Passion for Food: To some extent, do you have a passion for the food industry and dessert in particular?
- Financial Readiness: Are you capable of investing the Belgian waffle franchise cost of 10-20 lakhs and covering the regular expenditures simultaneously?
- Time Commitment: Are you ready to invest a lot of time and effort in managing the business?
- Management Skills: Have you ever dealt with staff and organization of the working process?
- Location Access: Are you able to get a good location in a busy area?
- Brand Alignment: Are you a believer in the product that you are promoting, and the company’s core values?
If you can answer “yes” to most of these questions, a Belgian Waffle Co. franchise could be the right entry point for you into the growing dessert segment in India.
Also Read: Tea Time Franchise
Conclusion
Therefore, The Belgian Waffle Co. franchise is a good opportunity to enter the dessert market in India for an operator. Taking into account the company’s name, a business model, and the ability to make good money, it is suitable for people, who like food and want to have their own business. As with any investment opportunity, you must consider your objectives, your financial resources, and the environment that is prevailing in the market. The Belgian waffle franchise cost is an important factor to consider, but the potential returns make it an attractive option. Sweets are not only tasty but they may help you succeed: waffles.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the total expense that one has to make to bring the Belgian Waffle Co. franchise to India?
The Belgian waffle cost starts at 10 to 13 lakhs for the Kiosk model and 15 to 20 lakhs for the Cafe model. This implies the franchise fees, Initial costs, inventory, and working capital for the franchisors and first-time franchisees.
2. What is a Belgian Waffle Co. franchise profit margin?
Franchisees can anticipate an 18% to 25% net profit margin after all the expenses have been subtracted.
3. What is the payback period for the Belgian waffle franchise cost?
The Belgian Waffle Co. franchises normally take about 13 to 15 months to recover the total initial investment.
4. What assistance does The Belgian Waffle Co. offer to its franchisees?
They provide in-depth orientation, operation support, marketing services, recipes, and ingredients if in national form.
5. Am I allowed to change the menu or bring new items to the franchise outlet?
Many changes to menus and new products that are added to the menu need consent from the franchisor to ensure standardization of the outlets.