Established
2009
Franchise Units
5
Minimum Investment
$250,000
Franchise Fee
$40,000
Total Investment Range
$450,000
Home Based
No
Description
Sweet Arleen’s is a premium dessert bakery franchise built on indulgence, craftsmanship, and emotional connection. Known for its gourmet baked goods, signature cookies, brownies, bars, and celebration desserts, the brand has carved a distinct space in the competitive U.S. dessert and bakery segment. Sweet Arleen’s blends old-school baking traditions with modern flavors and a strong lifestyle brand appeal, attracting repeat customers, gift buyers, and dessert lovers across multiple demographics.
The brand positions itself as more than just a bakery. It is a destination for comfort, celebration, and everyday indulgence. With visually appealing products, strong word-of-mouth loyalty, and consistent demand across seasons, Sweet Arleen’s benefits from a business model that is both emotionally driven and commercially scalable. The franchise is designed to perform well in urban neighborhoods, lifestyle centers, mixed-use developments, and high-footfall retail corridors across the United States.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
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Operates in the high-growth specialty dessert and gourmet bakery segment
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Strong brand identity with premium, giftable, and crave-worthy products
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Broad customer appeal across age groups and occasions
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Consistent demand with strong repeat purchase behavior
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Menu engineered for strong margins and efficient production
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Flexible store formats suitable for multiple U.S. markets
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Scalable model with opportunities for multi-unit ownership
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Proven systems, recipes, and operating standards
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Strong support structure for first-time and experienced franchise owners
Background
Established Year:
Sweet Arleen’s was founded in 2009, emerging from a passion for handcrafted desserts and nostalgic baking done right.
Founders:
The brand was founded by Arleen Kritzer, a baker-turned-entrepreneur who built the concept around quality ingredients, indulgent flavors, and authentic customer experiences.
Franchise Active Units (USA): 5
Brand Journey & Company History:
Sweet Arleen’s began as a small, community-focused bakery and quickly gained recognition for its oversized cookies, brownies, and dessert bars made with premium ingredients. As customer demand grew, the brand refined its processes, standardized recipes, and built a scalable model suitable for franchising. Over the years, Sweet Arleen’s evolved into a recognizable dessert destination with strong local loyalty and growing national interest.
Ownership & Franchise Model:
The company operates under a structured franchise system focused on quality control, brand consistency, and franchisee profitability. The model emphasizes operational simplicity while maintaining artisanal product standards.
Market Presence in the USA:
Sweet Arleen’s currently operates a growing number of franchise and company-supported locations within the United States, with expansion focused on key metropolitan areas and high-income suburban markets.
Industry Category:
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Food & Beverage
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Bakery & Dessert Franchise
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Specialty Retail Food Concept
Support Training
Sweet Arleen’s offers a comprehensive, end-to-end franchise support system designed to guide owners from pre-launch to long-term operations.
Pre-Launch Support
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Site selection guidance and demographic analysis
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Store layout, design standards, and equipment planning
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Vendor sourcing and supply chain onboarding
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Construction and pre-opening checklist support
Training & Onboarding
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In-depth initial training covering baking, food safety, and quality control
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Operations training including inventory, labor management, and daily workflows
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POS systems, reporting, and performance tracking
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Customer service and brand experience standards
Marketing & Brand Support
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Grand opening marketing strategy and launch campaigns
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Ongoing brand-level marketing initiatives
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Social media guidance, promotional calendars, and local store marketing tools
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Seasonal promotions and limited-time product launches
Ongoing Operational Support
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Dedicated franchise support team
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Ongoing training updates and operational best practices
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Product innovation and menu development
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Performance benchmarking and business coaching
Ideal Candidate
Sweet Arleen’s is well-suited for entrepreneurs who are passionate about food, hospitality, and brand-driven retail businesses.
Ideal Candidates Typically Have
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Strong business acumen or operational management experience
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Passion for customer service and community engagement
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Ability to follow proven systems and brand standards
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Financial capability to meet investment and working capital requirements
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Interest in single or multi-unit ownership
Background & Experience
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Restaurant, retail, hospitality, or food service experience is helpful but not mandatory
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Strong people-management and leadership skills
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Hands-on or semi-absentee ownership mindset
Location Preference
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Urban neighborhoods
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Lifestyle and shopping centers
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High-footfall retail zones
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Affluent suburban markets
Financial Detail
| Financial Component | Estimated Details |
|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $40,000 – $50,000 |
| Total Investment Required | $250,000 – $450,000 |
| Minimum Liquid Capital | $100,000 – $150,000 |
| Net Worth Requirement | $250,000+ |
| Build-Out & Infrastructure Cost | $120,000 – $220,000 |
| Equipment & Fixtures | $60,000 – $100,000 |
| Initial Inventory | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| Technology & POS Systems | $8,000 – $15,000 |
| Marketing & Grand Opening Budget | $10,000 – $25,000 |
| Working Capital (3–6 Months) | $40,000 – $75,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 6% of gross sales (estimated) |
| Brand Marketing / Ad Fee | 2% of gross sales (estimated) |
| Average Unit Size | 900 – 1,500 sq. ft. |
| Expected Break-Even Period | 18 – 30 months |
| Estimated Annual Revenue Potential | $500,000 – $900,000+ |
| Primary Revenue Streams | Retail sales, catering, gifting, seasonal & corporate orders |
