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Nothing is Sweet about Candy Bouquet!
If Candy Bouquet International has been around since 1989, why don't they have a standardized POS (point of sale) system for their franchisees?
They claim to spend millions on building their brand - but did you know that the name "Candy Bouquet" can be used by anyone! The trademark office denied their claim to the name - not once but twice! The only trademarks they own are their logo and a few slogans! The millions they spend is on selling more franchises seeing how the average life of a franchise is only estimated at 2.5 years! The attrition rate is also estimated at 60-70%! So many of the franchisees listed on the candybouquet.com locator are homebased businesses for which they work a real job because the Candy Bouquets do NOT support themselves!
The franchisees of Candy Bouquet are so despondent with the franchisor that they set up an independent association through the AAFD early last year! (Congrats on the AAFD awards!)The franchisees I've talked to complained of carpal tunnel and numerous other physical issues from making the bouquets due to repetive motion. The equipment referred to in the offering circular does less than 2% of the work and the rest is manual labor - hence the issues previously mentioned.
The only franchisees surviving the failing trend are those who have so diversified their stores as to NOT be dependent on the actual candy bouquets they were led to believe would carry their stores! Speaking of stores, did you know that there is no fixed model for a candy bouquet store? Go into any store, none are the same - so much for branding!
Candy Bouquet collects a monthly association fee which is a guaranteed revenue stream. Since so many franchisees struggle, a royalty wouldn't be profitable, so they offer a fixed fee. And not such a low cost franchise, none of the stores I spoke with were ever able to operate within the expenses indicated on the site. In fact, most owners are unable to pay themselves a salary or are able to afford employees!
Oh lets not forget the noncompete clause - no candy stores, floral shops and gifts stores. The franchisees claim they were never taught ANYTHING as to how to operate a floral shop or gift store. As far as candy stores are concerned, you don't need to buy a franchise for that - you can do it on your own. As for Candy Bouquet, my advice? Buy a video!
(5 votes)
- forums:
Sharing Ideas
Since a lot of people seem to continue on doing things "their" way, can you name something that has helped you do that. Can be something you did on your own or something shared by someone else. I will start with the wood roses. The price is great, the uses are so varied and people love them. Something they are great for is to market them to places that do a good Mother's Day business such as restaurants, banquet halls, etc. I have two such places that purchases over 300 each. Nice mark up and we put a small card attached so it always brings in other customers. Nice to be able to advertise and get paid for it!
Re: Sharing Ideas
Sharing of ideas is a great idea however, this is not the forum to do so. There are quite a few gift forums out there that a valid business can join - just google for them.
Thank you!
RE: Sharing Ideas!
I'd be happy to share something!
GET OUT OF THE Candy Bouquet Franchise and
run as fast as you can, the other direction!!
Seems to me the ACBF has a
Seems to me the ACBF has a forum in place that allows one the freedom of exchanging ideas. Why share with your competitors on an open forum such as this?
I must be misinformed. I
I must be misinformed. I thought the ACBF forum was just for existing CBI franchisees. Sorry if I did not understand that. A lot of people seem to be on here propagating "doing it on your own". I didn't know the ACBF forum welcomed outsiders or whatever name you want to use. I don't mean that in a derogatory way either. I realize some people on this blog are franchisees, some are ex-franchisees, some were thinking about becoming a franchisee and didn't. There are probably so many different classifications that I couldn't list them. But if there is some place those "others" can go to share just point people in the direction. I am all for helping others out. I guess I don't look at them as competitors. It's not like people in this industry, in whatever form it may be, are on every street corner. Why would it be okay to share with people that are a candy bouquet franchise and not with someone who is not? I would think a person who has a franchise is a greater competition than someone who is not. And my suggestion was about the wood roses ... not even candy roses which is kind of ironic I think.
RE: I must be misinformed. I
Yes, do your own thing. And again, there are many forums out there where people in the gifting industry share ideas and so forth - just have to be a valid business to join them and a few of them do cost to join. The support and information that is available out there is 100X better then what one receives from the candy bouquet lacking system.
This blog is not here to discuss what works and the daily grind of doing business, etc - it's here to discuss the candy bouquet franchise.
Again, thank you!
RE: I Must Be Misinformed I
I totaly agree. If this kind of forum had been around years ago, A lot of us might still be in Business,or at least found out about CB, before jumping in and losing all that money. So ThankYou,Whoever you are for trying to Help. God Bless You.
RE: I Must Be Misinformed I
I totaly agree. If this kind of forum had been around years ago, A lot of us might still be in Business,or at least found out about CB, before jumping in and losing all that money. So ThankYou,Whoever you are for trying to Help. God Bless You.
Poof Poof another Candy Bouquet franchise closed down to 291 US
Poof - poof another Candy Bouquet franchise closed down to 291 US!
That's five closures in a week of US candy bouquets now down to 291! Wow Margaret Mcentire you are on a roll that's 4+4+1=9 closures since convention!! Lots for MM to worry about with little money coming in from new franchise opening.
Just brought it back up above the trash posting.
Poof Poof
I think your numbers are wrong. Now 290 :)
Just read on BMM that Matthew
Just read on BMM that Matthew Shay is resigning as CEO and president of the IFA. Can't say I'm sorry to see him go. I so agree with the statement that he is a polarizing figure. This association under Mr.
Shay opposed any type of legislation attempting to protect franchisees from the fraud and abuse of the franchisors. And let's remember that it is this association (IFA) that Margaret McEntire tries to get cbi franchisees to join. Maybe Margaret will submit her resume.
Just read
The gentleman who resigned from IFA ....is it any surprise that he would not vote for anything good to do with franhcisees, when that whole organization appears to be for the Fanchisor'.
Ah yes.... glad to be done with franchising.
RE: Resignation
Why do you think Margaret McEntire likes this organization so much?!?!?
Could it be that it is all for the Zor And not the ZEE. Maybe she will resign from this board also, but I wouldn't hold my breath... Just my Opinion!
My thoughts on why things are
My thoughts on why things are slower in the South:
based on historical reasoning and just habits passed down through the ages.... 1z0-051 The South is a more temperate climate allowing for a nice long slow growing season. Back in the day the folks could afford to take things easy. No rush to plant, no rush to harvest. 1z0-053 In the North with the shorter season folks got used to a certain amount of time constraint and a sense of urgency. Must rush and plant now that spring is here and the growing season is so short and the bad weather comes on so fast you must rush to harvest. 1z0-146 And in the South the weather is milder in the winter allowing for a slower pace. 220-701 (And if you move too fast in August you will pass out from heat exhaustion. Better to take it nice and easy.)
Poof Poof another Candy Bouquet franchise closed down to 291 US
Poof - poof another Candy Bouquet franchise closed down to 291 US!
That's five closures in a week of US candy bouquets now down to 291! Wow Margaret Mcentire you are on a roll that's 4+4+1=9 closures since convention!! Lots for MM to worry about with little money coming in from new franchise opening.
Regardless.....
An individual came on here a while back touting the new (Delightful Bouquet) is coming and rapidly growing. That person allowed us to research and formulate our own opinions/findings concerning Delightful Bouquet and IMHO - it's not worth the money! Anyone with any business sense whatsoever is going to do a comparison between CB and DB by researching the whole operation of both. And from my research, again it's no better then CB's lacking model/system/operation. Both are definitely set up to be churning models.
Whether or not involved with either CB or DB, I am entitled to my opinion on here! And again, my opinion is that neither one is a viable and/or proven business model. BTW, there have been quite a few CB franchises come and go in the Kissimme area so please check back in with us six months from now.
RE: REGARDLESS
I agree with Regardless. Also, Has anyone ever wondered why neither CBI or DB have set up A corporate store (stores) to show prospective Zee's how "Profitable"
they are??? IT'S BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT!!!
What are you talking about?
What are you talking about? on the website the company makes it clear that it is impossible to keep a store to sell candie bouquets, so we only work with virtual stores. And the company owns the Orlando Store. If you want to keep attacking, all right, it was my mistake in provide a solution for those who are just looking for somewhere to place the frustrations caused by a bad business. As the Bible says, we're doing wrong giving pearls to the pigs. Let it be clear to all readers that no critic or complaints came from people who are involved with the DB, just competitors or empreeedores frustrated with the bankruptcy.
Understanding Throw pearls to the pigs Idioms
Idioms Throw pearls to the pigs
Someone that throws pearls to pigs is giving someone else something they don't deserve or appreciate. ('Throw pearls before pigs' and 'Cast pearls before swine' are also used.)
Understanding Dogs, Pigs, Pearls and Parables
While browsing random blogs, I came across an entry that quoted this verse:
"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces." - Matthew 7:6
This verse comes right after the whole "do not judge, or you too will be judged" passage, and I'm still not sure how the context affects it, so please forgive me (and feel free to correct me in the comments) if the following thoughts are totally wrong...they are just what God has revealed to me based on my understanding of that verse.
I'm sure most of us know what it feels like put the best parts of ourselves on the line, only to have those parts trampled upon, and for many of us (myself included, of course), damage our self-esteem and lead us to question our inherent value.
I've met a good amount of dogs and pigs in my (short) lifetime, and I'm sure on many occasions, I've been one myself. It's interesting how the Bible gives us license to hold back; granted, it takes a few mistakes to develop enough discernment to know when someone (or something) is a dog or a pig, but it's also important to remember that the way we are treated does not wholly determine our worth or identities.
Then again could it mean this?
Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces. (Matthew 7:6 TNIV)
What’s going on? Jesus, by his words and actions, has told us over and over again to help people in need no matter who they are or what their circumstances. And then He tells us, to paraphrase, to not give our best to the worst of people? What is happening?
I think he is saying exactly what it looks like he is saying. There are people, like pigs and dogs, who, no matter how much we give them or how much we do for them, will turn on us at the drop of the hat. There are certain people who, even if we give them the best of what we possess, will abuse us and trample us like pigs in a mud puddle. How does Jesus tell us to deal with these people?
He tells us not to throw our pearls before them and not to sacrifice that which is sacred within us to aid them.
This idea is completely consistent with the broader message of Scripture. God did not sacrifice His Son to pay for the sins of those who will ultimately turn Him down. The sacrifice is only effectual for God’s chosen ones.
Or could it mean this?
"Do not give what is holy to dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces." (Matthew 7:6)
Pearls were one of the most valued jewelry items in Jesus' time. Few people had even seen pearls up close. About the only place the translucent cream-colored beads could be seen was decorating the extremely wealthy and powerful. The idea of offering them to pigs was, again, completely beyond their imagination.
Of course, this was a parable, not to be taken for its literal meaning. It represents a higher principle. The teaching of Jesus was the Word of God. It was holy, valuable beyond measure. It could not be priced in worldly terms. It was precious, and living its principles made one precious to God. It was to be shared with others, spread abroad to all the world. It was God's precious gift to all humanity.
RE: What are you talking about
You are just Laughable!
MOVE ON!
Not profitable? The company
Not profitable? The company helped me anda I just concluded a contract with a Cadillac dealer to delivery one customized bouquet everyday . Like a contract with a group of brokers to give a "welcome home bouquet" customized for each house that the group sells or rents. Here I have 2 bouquets sold every day. You should learn to do business, then come talk about what is or not profitable.
Getting back to Candy
Getting back to Candy Bouquet, has anyone besides the very few that attended the "meet and greet" received any info from that "wonderful event?" Has anyone heard from the advisory board? How many meetings have they had so far? Last I heard they elected officers and then nothing.
I'll be happy to post here
I'll be happy to post here the success of the kissimmee concession in a few months.
ALMOST AS BAD AS CBI
Whoever's on here trying to sell their new business is just as bad as the powers that we're complaining about here! No difference between touting the new business, and putting an ad in Entrepreneur! Please, let's not confuse these two businesses...because honestly they're both starting to sound about the same to me...I'm already in one frying pan. I don't want to jump blindly, AGAIN, into another...please stop trying to sell to me!!
The thing is: Thousands of
The thing is: Thousands of people has lost their money with CBI, unlike of Delighful Bouquet, who assumes all risk of the business, because you do not pay to have the concession or the advertisement. I'm a concessionaire in kissimmee / FL, and today I'm the owner of Delightful Bouquet in my city, I don't like to see people who are not part of the business here talking nonsense and harming the growth of what today I'm proud to say that is my business too.
For me, is my business that I'm starting now. For you, is just a matter of having the last word. Why are you doing this?
Delightful Bouquet this is
Delightful Bouquet this is not the proper medium for selling your product. Take responsibility that though your own promoting of Delightful Bouquet on this forum and have brought on this questioning concerning your business. Control your own posts and move on to another forum of your own.
So this page is now about
So this page is now about promoting Del Bouquets?
Sounds like you're just trying to get free advertising.
No one is trying to sell to
No one is trying to sell to you, I just can't shut me up while you present unsubstantiated accounts and raises questions that undermines the credibility of a good company. what is the purpose to talk about a company that you do not get involved and do not know the system? If you have been involved you would know that the reservation is granted by the city but the territory is given by number of habitants, which has ousted your whole theory of hundreds of lines. Destroying is much easier than creating. Stop being destructive.
STOP BEING DESTRUCTIVE?
STOP BEING DESTRUCTIVE?? Are you kidding me? You have a free forum here, come riding in out of nowehere like a fly on a cow's back, and try to sell a start-up to people who've already been burned??? Wow...talk about being destructive...
RE: Almost as Bad
I soooo Agree with you!!!!
Then you need to start your
Then you need to start your own blog. Not one that is about Candy Bouquet. When you jump in on another subject, you are going to have to take the good with the bad. And I think it is rude of you to publicize Delightful Bouquets on a site that is obviously about another company and the problems people have had with that company. You touting all the good about DB and the bad about CB. Find another means of advertising instead of hijacking this blog.
MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY!
MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY!
I too agree, Amen to that!!!
I too agree, Amen to that!!!
Cynical (continued...)
Just in case you claim my figures are over-estimating the issues, I've done some calculations on DBs current sales rates as quoted in the post below. (29 territories "allocated" in 20 days).
If this sales rate continues for the first year and assuming that each territory continues to pay their $100 monthly fee, DB will make $391,000 in their first year alone. Now that sounds a healthy figure with no proven business model!
Continue at this growth rate for two years and DB will have taken $1.4 million from their "free" territories (and remember this doesn't include any money from sales of product).
Guess there really is no such thing as a free lunch...!
ok, but analyzing the 3
ok, but analyzing the 3 options: Do it yourself, Delightful bouquet concession or candy bouquet franchise. The option of having a concession for only 100 per month and includes the brand released, material ready, etc., delightful bouquet is the best option by far. No matter how much the company will earn, what matters is how much they are investing now and what side I want to be.
There is no place in the
There is no place in the world that you can buy individually and have the complete kit in your home to make a bouquet for only $ 14. Materials ready for assembly, candies and shipping. I suggest you read the website correctly, because there is detailed explanation of all prices and benefits. By the way, I'm already with Deligthful bouquet and the cost is only 100 per month. I do not understand what is the purpose of motivating people to do it by themselves, that will be much more work and higher cost, a group can achieve a lot more advantages. by reading your posts I guess you would like to have been the creator of the delightful bouquet. Do it by yourself just one bouquet, so you can come here again a give your real opnion.
It is the same thing if I say. Don't buy a Mac Donald's Franchise, because Hamburgers anyone can do.
RE: There is no place in the...
DB. Complete Kit.=14.00 That does not include Chocolates, Am I right? Then from that how much extra would you have to pay to make Choc. Bouquets? Roses, Etc?
includes everething! even the
includes everething! even the shipping to your house.
Includes Everything! Even the:
You need to go back and read again, because I believe that its Candy only, not Choc. Thats another cost to the 14.00 bouquet. Try to come up with something else to convience us that its any better that CB........
In DB the cost of all
In DB the cost of all materials delivered to your door for the assembly of a bouquet is 14.20. ( including the choc. and everything) It's better than CBI. Not to mention that you do not have to pay the initial fee. It's better, cheaper and simpler. so here you can see why more than 5 people have already left the CBI and are happy with the DB.
Re: In DB the cost of all
So, out of the 7 listed on DB's page, 5 were CB zees? Interesting! Guests says "it's better, cheaper and simpler". Well, don't really see how it is better - still have labor involved. It's cheaper - CBI is a lowcost franchise and the old wonderful saying goes, you get what you pay for! Cheaper is not good! Where's the financial vested interest from the "seller" / "zor" to help keep you in the system? Simpler, again, you still have to make the bouquets and obviously you will still have to do local marketing and so forth - one of the key things being left out besides labor, candy bouquets are a visual product - people have to beable to see, touch and taste! Again, just another non-viable and unproven business opportunity to the unsuspecting - aka - dumb people who don't do any due diligence!
Re: ok, but analyzing the 3
YES - DO IT YOURSELF!!!!!! Read, read, read and read in between the lines to both offerings from CBI and Delightful Bouquet - there are a lot of costs associated when operating a business and neither one mentions those costs! So, analyze, analyze, analyze - it costs a heck of a lot more then just a $100 per month!
Also, they say the bouquet product costs are approx $14 each, that is pretty high considering they claim to not make any profit on the materials. That's about the same amount it costs to make an average bouquet when you purchase your products from Candy Bouquet and we all know how over priced their products are!
The best options are to do it yourself and/or to buy wholesale from SweetsinBloom and Burton & Burton!
Just one who knows!
Again: Just go out and buy a
Again: Just go out and buy a custom box, polystyrene, stone, cellophane, personalized ribbons, personalized candy, wire stretched and the right measure, personalized cards, pay someone to do your website, (virtual store system), register your domain and mark, create your own custom bouquets, get professional photos on the website, buy some e-books for training, hire a Desiger to create flyers for every season, and finally, do some advertising. If you can do it for $ 100 and have your business ready to run in a week I give you $ 10,000
oh boy, she is right!
oh boy, she is right!
Should we leave this forum
Should we leave this forum for issues for those who's working with the CBI?
RE: Should We...
I Agree, this is not the Forum to sell Delightful Bouquets or Sweets in Bloom.
This Forum was and is for dealing with the Issues people are having with Candy Bouquet International and that Debacle of A Franchise. Who ever is trying to re focus this thread, Start your own about DB and sib, and leave this one to continue to help people from making the same Mistakes and getting sucked into Candy Bouquet International that many of us have. Thanks!
Why not hook into Sweets In Bloom wholesale or dropshipping
Why not hook into Sweets In Bloom wholesale or dropshipping programs. Sweets In Bloom does all the work and even supports florist by offering their products with FTD. No additional fees, no inventory just the wholesale cost of the product ordered.
http://www.sweetsinbloom.com/wholesale.asp
Sweets In Bloom Wholesale and Drop Ship Program
America's most distinctive and creative candy bouquets are now available to sell from your own retail location or website. Everyone loves candy and our uniquely arranged candy bouquets will compliment your product line.
Learn how your store could generate additional revenue.
Contact us for more information about purchasing Sweets in Bloom products through our wholesale or drop ship programs.
Contact Us:
E-mail: candy@sweetsinbloom.com
Phone: 513-961-6625 x134 or x142
By the way. For those who do
By the way. For those who do not work with this business is quite easy to give an opinion, but the first time you have to fix a wire as straight, or cut a cellophane right size and flawless and much more, then you will realize that it is worthwhile to pay to have all the material ready.
RE: By the way
You can buy wires, Cello squares and everything else you may want to
use to build a Bouquet without belonging to a franchise system.
Do your homework and save your money.....