Chocolate… That nectar of the gods, the elixir of life itself. There are very few other items that illicit such a passionate response from the general public. Sure, some don't care for it, but they're firmly in the minority.
For the rest of us, chocolate is a luxurious treat - a delightful, lingering moment on the lips. Indeed, many of us would struggle to find life's purpose without chocolate.
Confectionary, such as chocolate, provides comfort when the going gets tough and a little endorphin rush that helps elevate your general mood.
However, we all know that too much of anything is bad. And too much chocolate usually means too much sugar and a proliferation of saturated fat.
So, a recent trend in chocolate franchises is the "better for me" movement, aiming to find ways of satisfying that chocolate craving with something that isn't going to trigger poor health.
Many chocolate franchises are specializing in lower sugar products, addressing the demand of 83% of global chocolate consumers for chocolate products that are healthy AND tasty.
So, if you're looking for a fresh approach to the way you live and work, consider taking on an ethical chocolate franchise, bringing delight to customers and crop growers alike.
Franchising
Most people consider franchising a safer way of going into business for yourself, especially if you haven't run your own business in the past. When you take on a chocolate franchise, you inherit the parent company's hard-earned reputation of excellence and their instantly recognizable branding, helping you become an immediately welcomed addition to any shopping district.
But not only do you inherit recognizable branding, but you benefit from an established menu of chocolatey delights that you know your customers will love.
Market testing is a lengthy process with all new businesses. And by the very nature of product development, you hit upon some winners while discovering some real losers that just don’t resonate with your customer base. Market testing, therefore, can be a costly, wasteful process.
Franchising allows you to skip this stage of the business process, jumping straight to the point at which you offer your customers a range of delightful, road-tested products that are going to leap off the shelves.
The branding brings you instant curb appeal, while the tried-and-tested product range brings instant popularity. You're not introducing your customers to something they've never tried before - your chocolate franchise offers them products they already know and love.
It’s a total win-win.
On the other hand, businesses that start up without the support of an established partner often struggle to penetrate the marketplace. Whether your chocolate franchise specializes in high-end, high-ticket items or cheaper, more accessible products with broader appeal, you'll go into business knowing that your parent company has your back.
Most chocolate franchises offer excellent training opportunities that ensure your product knowledge is top-notch. As well as training, most chocolate franchises help ensure that you maintain your business in line with financial and employment law, offering HR support when needed and ongoing help whenever you require it.
Franchise Direct chocolate franchises offer connections with companies to help you achieve your full professional potential. Benefit from:
- A hard-earned reputation for excellent service
- A product line your future customers already know and love
- Access to an existing supply chain
- Ongoing business support
- HR and training support
Facts About Chocolate Franchises
Chocolate is one of the world’s most popular and consumed products. North America and Canada are the world’s most hungry chocolate lovers, consuming the most chocolate of anywhere else on the planet.
One particular trend in chocolate franchising is fairtrade and the demand for sustainable sourcing. In other words, people want their chocolate without the existential guilt - while sustaining the livelihoods of the workers who farm and produce the raw materials.
Chocolate products are defined by the volume of cocoa contained in the ingredient list; the higher the percentage of cocoa, the more bitter and less sweet the product.
Milk chocolate is the most popular of all chocolate types, accounting for over half of all chocolate consumption worldwide. However, milk chocolate can contain as little as 10% cocoa, with popular brands, such as Hershey's milk chocolate containing around 11% cocoa - the rest is milk and sugar.
Dark chocolate is less popular with children but often popular with adults, offering a more intense, less sweet chocolatey experience. Dark chocolate tends to be classified by its cocoa content - it needs to be at least 60% cocoa to be considered "dark."
We often obsess about chocolate's high sugar and fat content, but there is also a range of health benefits. Many chocolate franchises focus on the antioxidant properties of chocolate, which is believed to minimize and slow down the growth of diseases, including cardiac disorders. In general, the higher the cocoa content, the more antioxidants - so, dark chocolate has considerably more health benefits than milk chocolate.
Some researchers claim that dark chocolate can contribute to looking and feeling younger because it can help maintain healthy blood pressure and avoid wrinkles, keeping your skin looking younger.
The global chocolate confectionery market is worth $208.15bn each year. The US market is estimated to be worth $9.67bn, with an impressive growth of 13.3% in 2020.
Franchising Vs. Independent
Most chocolate franchises require an initial investment starting at around $50,000. For that, you inherit the parent company's reputation, product line, supply chain, and branding - all of which you have to start from scratch if you create your chocolate business from the ground up.
Of course, most people need to apply for funding from banks and moneylenders to gather the collateral required to get off the ground with their chocolate franchise.
And this is where franchising really does come into its own.
Whether you're going it alone or going into business with a franchise partner, you're going to need start-up funds. And most banks and moneylenders favor the franchise model because the company has already proven itself profitable, sustainable, and capable of expansion, making franchises a safer return on investment.
On the other hand, independent companies often fail to achieve their funding objectives because they lack the business acumen you inherit when you take on a franchise. Many indies endure higher interest rates on start-up loans because they're going into business without the support of an established partner.
Franchise businesses often hit the ground running due to the ongoing support from their franchise partner.
So, if you’re considering a career change, consider investing in a chocolate franchise.
Chocolate Franchises
Check out Franchise Direct's delightful selection of chocolate franchise businesses. And help feed the American appetite for delicious treats.
You can also check out many more related Food Franchises here on Franchise Direct, such as: