Do you want to start a cupcake business by buying a franchise? If YES, here are 10 best cupcake franchise opportunities for sale and their cost. Most people love cakes, and especially when they come is small personalized themes called cupcakes. This is one of the reasons why dessert is a huge industry in the United States.
According to Gigi’s Cupcakes, one of the largest and fastest growing bakery franchises in the U.S., a whopping 99% of Americans eat dessert, and 70% of Americans eat dessert at least once a week. Yet another thing that pushes the cake industry is that there are always celebrations going on and cakes are always the center of attraction.
For that reason, events like weddings, birthday parties, anniversaries, mitzvahs and other special occasions are always propellers of the cake industry. It is worthy to note that most cake shops not only bake and sell cakes and cupcakes, they can also add up other bakery products like pies, pretzels, donuts, croissants, etc. to maximize profit and space.
If you want to start a cupcake shop without necessarily opening your own business and starting from the scratch, you can as well buy the franchise of an established cupcake shop. Here are a few cupcake shops that offer franchises in the United States.
10 Best Cupcake Franchise Opportunities for Sale and Their Cost
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Gigi’s Cupcakes
Gigi’s Cupcakes is a bakery that specializes in delicious cupcakes. The company’s desserts are baked with fresh ingredients each morning. Gigi’s Cupcakes changes its menu each day so customers can discover new, exciting flavors on a regular basis.
These flavors, by the way, are anything but ordinary everyday flavours. Some of the more unique tasty treats include Lemon Poppy Seed, Merry Margarita, S’mores, White Midnight Magic, Hunka Chunka Banana Love, Hot Fudge Sundae, Kentucky Bourbon Pie, and Champagne.
Gigi’s Cupcakes builds on the growing cupcake craze with a huge variety of cupcakes topped with its signature swirl of frosting and other toppings. In addition to cupcakes, the menu includes cheesecake and gluten-friendly options.
Founded in 2007 and franchising since 2008, the chain received a big boost when it was featured on the television program Undercover Boss in 2015. The number of locations, however, has declined from 95 last year to the current total of 86, of which nine are company-owned and all of which are located in the U.S.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $226,700 – $425,500
- Net-worth Requirement – $300,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $100,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $35,000 – $35,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 5%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 2.5%
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Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery
Jeff Martin founded the wildly popular Smallcakes Cupcakery that bakes and frosts 18 signature flavors every morning, fresh from scratch. Smallcakes features seasonal and special flavors created by the boss.
After appearances on the Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars” seasons one, two, and seven as well as on the hit daytime talk show “The View,” Smallcakes became well known and in hot demand in neighborhoods across the nation. Even celebrities have had Smallcakes at their events and weddings. USA TODAY listed Smallcakes as one of the Top Ten Cupcake Places to try in the country.
Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery is one of the most talked about companies in the world today. The company started way back in 2008 selling awesome cupcakes, and they have grown from their original location in Overland Park, KS to over 200 stores worldwide. Their stores sell thousands of cupcakes every day and now they have launched their cupcake infused ice cream.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $70,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $30,000
- Total Investment – $70,000 – $120,000
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Yummy Cupcakes
Yummy Cupcakes was founded by Executive Chef Tiffini Soforenko with the idea that cupcakes could be enjoyed more often than just on special occasions, could be created in gourmet-style, and could be offered in a wide variety of flavors. In March 2004, Tiffini joined forces with husband Nik and mother Brogan, she left the corporate world and together they created Yummy Cupcakes.
Back then, no one had ever heard of a “cupcake only” bakery, let alone ever visited one. Tiffini, Nik and Brogan introduced Yummy Cupcakes to the world based on a simple premise: be passionate about creating exceptional product, be passionate about guest services, and be passionate about doing things right.
Now, with more than seven years’ experience operating Yummy Cupcakes, they have developed a solid and successful business model for both Yummy Cupcakes, bakeshop owners and Yummy Cupcakes customers. This, combined with their corporate experience in business operations, guest service, franchise operations and marketing, is making them seek qualified people to join them in taking Yummy Cupcakes to the world.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $185,679 – $325,665
- Net-worth Requirement – $250,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $150,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $35,000 – $35,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 5%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 1%
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House of Cupcakes
House Of Cupcakes was founded in Princeton, NJ in 2008 by Ron and Ruthie Bzdewka, winners of season two of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars. House Of Cupcakes sells over 38 varieties of its delicious, award-winning cupcakes, as well as its mini cupcakes, pushpops, cake-pops, and gourmet cookies and brownies.
House Of Cupcakes is proud to make products that encourage people to celebrate the most important occasions of their lives. Founder of Party City, and co-founder of House Of Cupcakes franchising company, Steve Mandell was responsible for Party City’s expansion to more than 400 stores nationwide.
Recognized as an expert in franchising, he was named by Ernst and Young as “Entrepreneur of the Year” in 1996. His belief, as Managing Partner, is that House of Cupcakes has the winning recipe for franchise success. He and the Bzdewka’s have partnered to develop House of Cupcakes into a national franchise.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $259,250 – $271,500
- Net-worth Requirement – $300,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $300,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $25,000 – $25,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 6%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 2%
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Cupcake Charlie’s
Cupcake Charlie’s is a “dream-come-true” business that was first opened in the Summer of 2008 on Cape Cod. The founders of this business had initially been in the housing market before the industry took a turn for the worse, and the duo started looking for another opportunity to reinvent themselves. Following their dreams of baking quality products, the partners decided to open their own bakery business.
To be a successful Cupcake Charlie’s franchisee, you should have an affinity for baking, a passion for business ownership, a need to succeed, and of course, a love for spreading happiness with delicious, sweet treats. Business or management experience will certainly be beneficial when owning and running a Cupcake Charlie’s franchise business, but is not a requirement for ownership.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $199,250 – $413,500
- Net-worth Requirement – $300,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement – $100,000
- Initial Franchise Fee – $35,000 – $35,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 5%
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Wicked Good Cupcakes
Wicked Good Cupcakes has gone from a mother and daughter baking cupcakes in their kitchen to one of the largest cupcake brands in the world. Their signature cupcakes baked in jars have captured the heart of America. Since appearing on Shark Tank, Wicked Good Cupcakes has shipped over 1 million cupcake jars to satisfied customers all over the country.
Now you can become part of America’s favorite Mother/Daughter team. They are offering low-cost, cupcake truck franchises featuring their signature cupcake in jars. You need to contact the company if you are interested in their franchise offering.
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Pinkabella
Pinkabella began like a childhood obsession and it transformed in the future into a big business. When Bella was in college, she would go home, bake some treats and take it back to school and have her own private parties. Much later in her life, the parties evolved to quite a larger scale to include throwing wedding and baby showers for friends, large Christmas parties and many birthday parties. Those were the things that inspired her to start her cupcake business.
Pinkabella was founded 2009 and it started franchising in 2015. Their headquarters is at 7330 164th Ave. N.E., #E230 Redmond, WA 98052, and the current CEO of the company is Margo Engberg. The company is seeking new franchisees throughout the United States.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $97,260 – $189,100
- Initial Franchise Fee – $25,000 – $25,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 3-5%
- Ad Royalty Fee – 1%
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Dessert’D Organic Bake Shop
Founded by Mimi and Delaney Council as an organic bakery that specializes in cookies and cakes, Mimi and crew opened their bakery in Mammoth Lakes in September 2011.
Dessert’D Organic Bake Shop is a full service bakery that offers cookies, pies, cakes, cupcakes, wedding catering and all things dessert related. Dessert’D Organic Bake Shop is owned and operated by Mimi and Delaney Council, Kimmy and Chris Benchetler and Thea and Matt Zobel.
Upon moving back to Mammoth, Mimi met up with old friends Kimmy and Chris. They were catching up and one thing led to another. Kimmy and Chris both have a sweet tooth and loved Mimi’s organic and eco-friendly approach to desserts. A week later Kimmy Fasani, and husband Chris Benchetler, invested in Dessert’D and bought the franchise.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment – $257,000 – $446,550
- Initial Franchise Fee – $20,000 – $20,000
- Ongoing Royalty Fee – 6%
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Buttercup Bake Shop
Buttercup Bake Shop is a store that sells high quality dessert products. Although cupcakes are easily the bake shop’s signature item, the shop also sells other types of cakes (available in many different flavors, layers, and frostings), cheesecakes, pies, puddings, bars and squares. Wearable, branded merchandise is also available.
Customers can place orders online in advance for pickup or delivery within a specified region in Manhattan. Buttercup Bake Shop’s creator says, “Buttercup Bake Shop lets you slow down and wile away an afternoon sipping your favorite beverage and enjoying some delectable, nostalgic treats that spell comfort and love.”
Clinical psychologist Jennifer Appel could not ignore her culinary instincts. After work, she would bake to relax. She, after a while, decided to switch her career fully to baking. First, Appel opened Magnolia Bakery in Greenwich Village with a partner to sell a variety of desserts. Three years later, Appel decided to found a business of her own in Manhattan: Buttercup Bake Shop.
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Magnolia Bakery
In 1996, Magnolia Bakery opened its first location on a quiet street corner in the heart of New York City’s West Village. From its inception, Magnolia Bakery has been cherished for its classic American baked goods, vintage decor and warm, inviting atmosphere.
The company has also started to offer nationwide shipping for a variety of products, including freshly baked cupcakes, cookies, brownies and bars, as well as corporate gift packages and seasonal assortments.
Magnolia Bakery is seeking experienced multi-unit franchisees to acquire and develop select locations and in cities around the world in shopping districts, airports, colleges and more. The company has agreed to negotiate development agreements starting at a minimum of three locations.
Financial Requirements
- Cash Investment: $30,000 – $70,000
- Total Investments: $214,000
- Royalty Fee Rate: 3%