If you are looking to get started in the franchising business, then listen up. Or technically, read up. Because today we are talking about the Mountain Man Nut & Fruit company. Is it going to be the right business for you? Or will you find out that it’s a dud just like many other opportunities that are out there?
This company has definitely seen some struggles throughout the years. But there are also some positives to purchasing this franchise. As with any business opportunity, you have to take the time to do your research. So that you are not getting into risky business.
No one wants that, right? That’s why I’m here. To ensure that you have the details on this opportunity. Mixed with a few honest opinions from myself. To give you the best review on this specific franchise business.
We will go over the growth (or in this case, lack thereof), the fees and requirements, and a few other things that you will need to know. And while a few of these factors may discourage you, I encourage you to keep an open mind throughout this entire process.
It’s important that you choose a company that resonates with your personality and your specific needs. But always keep the facts and statistics in mind. And make the absolute best decision that will benefit your future.
Without any further ado, let’s get this show on the road. So that you can gather up the details on this franchise opportunity and find out if it’s the right fit for your new business.
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Mountain Man Nut & Fruit
Since 1977, Mountain Man Nut & Fruit Company has been serving up genuine chocolate and goodies that are pure and tasty. This company follows special standards to ensure that you get the highest quality treats without ever cutting corners.
And that’s a company that I would stand by. One that has high standards for their products. Regardless of what the competition is doing to lower their prices. Because you can’t really put a price tag on quality chocolate, right?
At this store, you will find a variety of nuts, seeds, dried fruit, trial mix, chocolate, and other types of candies. But it doesn’t stop there. They also provide gift baskets to give to a friend or loved one.
These gift baskets are the perfect way to show someone that you’re thinking of them. Because, who doesn’t love chocolate, nuts, and dried fruits?
Although there are many facilities around the country, all of the chocolate is mixed and put together at the original facility in Colorado. Where the ingredients such as cocoa beans are mixed to create the ultimate flavoring.
What sets them apart from other companies is that they choose to not cut any corners with their chocolate-making process. While some competitors choose to take the cheaper way out so that the prices can be lower for the consumer, Mountain Man Nut & Fruit uses real and genuine cocoa beans to ensure that you have only the highest quality products.
And for that, I appreciate the company even more. Because sure, paying less is a good deal. However, I would choose quality over a cheaper product any day. Especially when it comes to chocolate!
So if you have that same love for chocolate and dried fruits, then this may be a good business for you to get into. But before you go and make any hasty decisions, let’s take a look at the details on this opportunity.
The Rise and Fall
When a company has been offering an opportunity for as long as this one has (1983 to be exact), there’s bound to be be some ups and downs throughout the years. Lately, this company has been experiencing a dry time. They aren’t growing as fast as we would like to see. In fact, they have actually shown a decrease in the number of franchise locations.
In 2010, the company seemed to be doing pretty well with having 183 operating franchise outlets. However, by the end of 2014, they lost quite a few locations and ended up having only 155 franchises operating. Which is still a pretty decent number. But we would like to see more of a growth rather than a decline.
Another thing that may deter you from choosing this opportunity, is the fact that the turnover rate for the company is getting a little high. At 13.93, it’s hard to tell if this company is healthy. To understand whether or not those closings were due to healthy reasons, it’s important to ask the company regarding the reasoning behind this rate.
And the sad part is, this company doesn’t offer many benefits or perks. Honestly, they don’t seem to offer any at all. There is no level of financial transparency. And looks as if there is no type of training either.
So that’s all important aspects of a business. Having the proper training can make or break your entire experience. However, if you are fine with these specific negatives on the company’s opportunity, then you can still make your business successful on you own.
After all, not everyone is provided with support and training for new businesses. But why don’t we take a look at the requirements before we go any further. And you can make a decision if you feel that this opportunity meets your expectations.
Requirements of Franchising
When it comes to the Mountain Man Nut & Fruit Company, there aren’t many fees to worry about. And honestly, the price point is pretty decent. However, there are some things that you may not enjoy. But let’s start with the cost of this business.
Your initial franchise fee that will be due once you sign your agreement is $45,000. After that fee, you will have a total investment for your other necessities of around $12,360 to $13,100.
This investment can vary due to factors such as your specific location and the inventory that you require for your new business.
The franchise fee will get you a 3-year agreement term as a franchise owner for this company. And that initial term is honestly quite low compared to what the competitors require. So that may be a positive to add to your list of pros for this opportunity.
However, here comes some cons. There are no refunds available. So be absolutely sure that this business is the one that you want to invest in. Because there are also no options for financing and no discounts available either. For some individuals, that may be a deal breaker.
But then again, there are no ongoing fees that you are required to pay. Which is pretty good, considering most companies require high fees for royalty and advertising.
Overall, it doesn’t seem to be too bad of an investment. So even if there are no refunds available, the price point isn’t too high.
Here’s What I Think
Every business opportunity has its risks. And yes, this company has been in business for quite some time. So they are bound to have their ups and downs. That’s a part of running any business.
Their growth, yet lacking, still seems to be a decent number of locations being operated by franchise owners. So that’s a good sign. However, the turnover rate concerns me a bit. So, you may want to ask the company about why it’s beginning to get a little high.
The price point, however, doesn’t seem to bad. Especially since there are no recorded royalty or advertising fees. But then again, there aren’t any refunds, discounts, or finance options available. So, keep that in mind.
Overall, I would say that this franchise opportunity has some potential. It’s not the best that I’ve seen. However, the company has a good reputation and has been in business for a long time. So that’s definitely a positive.
Ultimately, the decision will be yours. So be sure to write down all the pros and cons before making your final decision.
What’s Your Take?
So, as I said, the decision on whether or not to choose this business opportunity will ultimately be yours. After all, you are the one that will be owning and operating this new business. So you are the one that needs to be sure that they meet your expectations.
And while there are a ton of franchise opportunities available, not every business will be the right choice for everyone.
Sure, this opportunity isn’t the best that I’ve personally seen. But, there are certainly some positives to running this business. Especially because they hold high value and standards for their products.
Unlike some other companies in this industry, they refuse to cut any corners. They want to give the customer the highest quality products. And I think that’s a great aspects of this company.
So if you feel that this may be the right fit for your lifestyle, then contact the Mountain Man Nut & Fruit Company. Be sure to have all of your personal questions answered. So that you have a full understanding of what this business opportunity entails. You may just end up with a franchise deal.