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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Craters & Freighters vs Apartment Movers etc. including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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Investment | $176,850 - $276,500 | $75,000 - $150,000 |
Franchise Fee | $31,500 | $24,500 |
Royalty Fee | 5% | 5% |
Advertising Fee | 1% | - |
Year Founded | 1990 | 1995 |
Year Franchised | 1991 | 1998 |
Term Of Agreement | 15 years | 10 years |
Term Of Agreement | 15 years | 10 years |
Renewal Fee | - | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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Experience | It is not necessary to have a background in packaging, crate building, or transportation to operate our franchise. Our franchise owners come from widely varied backgrounds from Doctors to CPA's to Engineers. Our staff has the experience and credentials to guide you through an extensive training process in all aspects of running the operation including packaging, crating, and shipping procedures to administration, accounting, marketing, & sales. | - |
Financing Options |
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In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
Franchise Fees | No/Yes | No/No |
Start-up Costs | No/Yes | No/Yes |
Equipment | No/Yes | No/Yes |
Inventory | No/Yes | No/Yes |
Receivables | No/No | No/No |
Payroll | No/No | No/No |
Training & Support |
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Training | 10-day training program in Golden, CO Training includes classroom and hands-on experience in an operating franchise in Colorado. Owners are trained on, and provided with, the company's proprietary eBusiness Management System Software, Center Opening Handbook, Operations Manual, Policy and Procedures Manual, Freight Carriers Guide, Packaging & Crating Manual and Marketing Manual. Also includes business preparation, proprietary software, pick-up and delivery, transportation, bills of lading, shipping invoices, accounting, marketing, advertising, promotion, start-up operations, pricing and quoting, packaging and crating, insurance, tracers and claims, warehousing, personnel and international shipping. | Ongoing training available |
Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives |
Marketing | Ad slicks, National media | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising |
Operations |
21% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3 - 4
Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
0% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10 Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (40% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
Expansion Plans |
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US Expansion | Yes | - |
Canada Expansion | No | No |
International Expansion | Yes | Yes |
When customers would rent moving trucks from Kim Swanson's company, they would often complain about the amount of money, time and damage it cost them. Seeing the need for an affordable moving company, Swanson founded Apartment Movers Etc. in 1995.
The company specializes in smaller moves for both commercial and residential customers. Apartment Movers Etc. can handle complete moves or transport just one item.