Franchisee makes a monthly NT$50,000 selling sweet potato balls
Many people love to eat crispy, chewy sweet potato balls. Recently, it was reported that a franchisee in southern Taiwan got into a dispute with headquarters over a contract issue. The news story revealed that the franchisee was making a monthly income of NT$50,000. Many in the public were curious as to how selling deep fried sweet potato balls could be so profitable. Let’s find out.
Giant sweet potato balls endlessly tumble and roll as they are deep fried.
To make delicious sweet potato balls, you need to hand-press them in a pan to make them fluffy, crispy, and chewy.
Piping hot sweet potato balls are best when they are eaten fresh and crispy! They are a favorite for many. Recently news broke that a franchisee in Southern Taiwan was earning NT$50,000 a month and got into a contract dispute with headquarters. Many people’s curiosity was piqued and they wondered if it is really possible to earn NT$50,000 a month just by selling sweet potato balls?
Sweet potato ball chain executive
Taipei
Our average profit is between NT$40,000 and NT$60,000, but profits depend on how well the business is doing. Like during the previous summer vacation it was very hot and we’d probably just make NT$20,000 a month. Outlets that are doing good business can make upwards of NT$100,000. The advantage of franchising is that the brand manufacturers control the market, and when prices rise, they absorb the increase, so we franchisees don’t have to pay extra in response to price increases.
For franchises, the brand owner controls the rise and fall of costs. For example, the rent for this sweet potato ball restaurant located next to Shuanglian MRT station in Taipei is about a monthly NT$10,000 to NT$18,000. The owner doesn’t hire any staff in a one-person operation and makes a profit of NT$40,000 to NT$60,000 after deducting all costs. However, it’s not so easy to make money with your own brand.
Sweet potato ball vendor
Taipei
The profits aren’t as good as before. Sweet potatoes, oil, and paper prices have all risen hugely. Paper prices have probably increased seven or eight times, and oil prices have almost doubled. If you have your own brand, the costs are higher.
For those creating their own independent brand who source and prepare all the ingredients themselves, although the cost of goods is high, as long as business is thriving and there is a lot of foot traffic, even though it’s sold one cheap bag at a time, it is still very profitable.
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#snacks #taiwanfood #taiwanesefood #sweetpotato
2025-12-03
