Answers to Our Most Commonly Asked Questions
The first step is to submit a Franchise Application on this website. Our Franchise Development Team will review your application within 1-2 business days based on three main attributes: Geography, Finances, and Character and Personality Fit. The first two attributes can be readily assessed via the application, but the Character and Personality Fit will be an ongoing assessment. Following a successful application review, you will complete a Step 1 Call with a member of our Franchise Development team, followed by a Step 2 Call with our Business Development Manager. If all goes well, you will then be invited to a Discovery Day, where we will make final assessments before awarding any franchises.
Our average range of investment is $445,000 – $1,200,000. This is considerably lower than many other franchise opportunities in the Fast-Casual Dessert space! Additionally, qualified candidates must demonstrate that they have at least $100,000 in liquid capital and a net worth of at least $500,000. All in all, an owner should expect to invest anywhere from $100,000 to $125,000. The SBA will typically require 10-20% of this investment amount to be paid as a down payment.
The initial franchise fee for a single Bahama Buck’s location is $34,500.
Franchise owners pay an ongoing royalty fee of 6% of gross sales. Advertising fees are 2% of gross sales.
The Federal Trade Commission and various state franchise sales regulations prohibit us from providing you with specific profit projections. Therefore, we encourage you to speak with existing Bahama Buck’s franchisees during our application process to learn more about actual experiences.
We do not offer an in-house financing program, but we are currently listed with the SBA and have relationships with various financial vendors.
Absolutely! While many members of our Franchise Family choose to operate a shop by having a full-time role in the day-to-day operations, other members choose to train a manager for day-to-day operations. We provide next-level support and operational training for whichever direction you choose for your entrepreneurial path and shop growth.
Defnitely! We don’t expect our franchise owners to come to us knowing anything about Sno®, Island Smoothies, or Acaí Bowls. Our world-class franchise training and support will teach you everything you need to know about Blessing Our Guests and living the island lifestyle. We do, however, expect our franchise owners to have a strong background in business management, but it does not necessarily need to be in the food service or restaurant industry.
Absolutely. In fact, we take it one step further with Bahama Buck’s Site Assistance Program. Our professional site development team uses leading mapping and site-selection resources to help identify trade areas for new Bahama Buck’s locations. Additionally, our team provides Bahama Buck’s franchisees with step-by-step professional assistance needed to secure your ideal location. From site selection to the negotiation of terms for your Bahama Buck’s location, our site team is there every step of the way.
The ideal size range for a Bahama Buck’s Franchise is generally 800-1,800 square feet. However, smaller or larger shops are an option. They’re usually located in neighborhood and community strip centers, power centers, shopping malls, and retail trade districts. The optimal area typically has a robust residential population, strong daytime employment, and dynamic retail activity. It also has good street visibility and presence as well as good ingress and egress.
Every location is different and depends on various factors, such as site selection, build-out requirements, and training. On average, it takes 6-24 months from signing the franchise agreement to the opening day of your Bahama Buck’s shop.
Every Bahama Buck’s has their own protected trade area based on demographic and geographic regions.
Certainly. We understand the importance of utilizing mobile units to offer products outside of the four walls of a shop. One single Bahama Buck’s-branded mobile truck/trailer is permitted per franchised shop location. Additionally, multiple tent or cart units are permitted per franchised shop location to service a variety of special event opportunities.
At Bahama Buck’s, we consider flavor to be an art form and we will continue to stand by and solely promote our incredible island desserts. Bahama Buck’s continues to develop island-inspired products, in addition to new flavor launches, to complement the immersive Bahama Buck’s Mini-Vacation experience.
If you share our passion for island life and meet the financial and personal qualifications, we invite you to begin the journey by filling out the Franchise Application Form*. Once received, a Bahama Buck’s Franchise representative will contact you to discuss our business model and learn more about you!
*This is not an offer to sell you a franchise. An offering is made by prospectus only in the form of a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).
We require all of our franchisees to attend Bahama Buck’s University, a week-long, hands-on training program, prior to their first shop opening. We also send a team of highly qualified Sno® Pros to train your initial Avalanche Crew members and help you get through your opening week.
After the initial training for you and your crew, we offer many options for continued training for managers and franchisees.
Bahama Buck’s is immediately seeking outstanding single-unit and multiple-unit franchise candidates across the U.S. who share our passion for island life and want to grow with our brand. In many states, there are numerous areas that Bahama Buck’s has pre-approved for development. Check out our Tropical Territories page to confirm if opportunities exist in your area of interest.
