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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Computertots vs PC-ER including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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Investment | $47,700 - $66,300 | $17,500 - $22,500 |
Franchise Fee | $30,000 | $7,500 |
Royalty Fee | 8% | 2% |
Advertising Fee | - | Varies |
Year Founded | 1983 | 2007 |
Year Franchised | 1988 | 2014 |
Term Of Agreement | 15 years | 2 years |
Term Of Agreement | 15 years | 2 years |
Renewal Fee | 5% of franchise fee | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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Experience | All franchisees should be A+ certified and/or the equivalent in experience. If not when signed they will be expected to complete this and a couple other certifications within the 1st 6 months of owning the franchise. For special cost benefits a Veteran and or their family can operate this franchise for as little as $7500. |
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Financing Options |
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In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
Franchise Fees | Yes/No | -/- |
Start-up Costs | No/No | -/- |
Equipment | No/No | -/- |
Inventory | No/No | -/- |
Receivables | No/No | -/- |
Payroll | No/No | -/- |
Training & Support |
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Training | - | A franchisee should be at least A+ certified prior to entering this arrangement. There is a prescreening test provided to help us make sure we aren't setting the franchisee up for failure. We want success for us and them alike. We also have arranged a 30 hour, pre-franchise signing, Entrepreneurial training to help them make sure they know what goes into running a business. This is designed to help them write their own Business Plan and provide a mentoring coach over the next 12 months. |
Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Security/safety procedures | Our home location has technicians on staff available to assist in problem areas. |
Marketing | National media, Regional advertising | - |
Operations |
Franchise can be run from home. International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 10% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6 Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) | Each PC-ER inside Walmart is responsible for store opening for 70 hours a week. I know this may sound like a lot but we are working on the premise that they are providing 3000+ walk by traffic daily. The franchisee can choose to hire someone support staff if necessary and adjustments can be made to their scheduled opening provided it is approved by PC-ER, LLC and Walmart prior to making the change. |
Expansion Plans |
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US Expansion | - | Yes |
Canada Expansion | No | - |
International Expansion | Yes | - |
Computertots is now a subsidiary of ComputerExplorers In 1984, personal computers were still considered a luxury, and schools were figuring out how to best use the new technology as a learning tool. Moms Karen Marshall and Mary Rogers saw the teaching potential of computers and began Computertots/Computer Explorers with $1,500, one computer and 10 young students. Franchisees can operate the business using either a manager model or an owner-operated model. A manager employs a staff to assist in the teaching and operation of the business; the owner of an owner-operated model not only teaches classes, but also operates the business.
In 2003, Computertots/Computer Explorers was acquired by The International Center for Entrepreneurial Development Inc., which also owns Kwik Kopy Printing, Kwik Kopy Business Centers, Franklin's Printing, American Wholesale Thermographers, Copy Club, Women's Health Boutique and Parcel Plus.
PC-ER (Personal Computer and Electronic Repair) is a Veteran (and/or Veteran's family) owned business location within designated large retail locations. We will be providing service and repair to computers, laptops, tablets and cell phones. We will also provide warranty work for large retail locations as well as providing additional services to their customers regarding the use of their electronics. Franchisees will own and operate their own business within the franchise guidelines from the PC-ER, LLC. The operation of this franchise has been tested over the past 7 years with successful locations inside of large retail locations since. We have been granted a "pilot" with large retail locations which means we get 20 stores opened in 3 month intervals until we get to 100 locations, then they offer larger numbers of stores per 3 month window. It is our intent to be inside every available large retail location in the US within 5 years. For special cost benefits a Veteran and or their family can operate this franchise for as little as $7500.