Craters & Freighters vs Racing Limos Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Craters & Freighters vs Racing Limos including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Craters & Freighters Franchise
Racing Limos Franchise
Investment $176,850 - $276,500$39,000 - $100,000
Franchise Fee $31,500$22,500 - $77,500
Royalty Fee 5%$291 per month on your first vehicle
Advertising Fee 1%-
Year Founded 19902002
Year Franchised 19912003
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Craters & Freighters Franchise
Racing Limos Franchise
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
 
Craters & Freighters Franchise
Racing Limos Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees No/Yes-/-
Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
Equipment No/Yes-/-
Inventory No/Yes-/-
Receivables No/No-/-
Payroll No/No-/-

Training & Support
 
Craters & Freighters Franchise
Racing Limos Franchise
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.* Comprehensive course * Extensive operations manual * Personal visits * Telephone visits * Annual conference (3 days) * Networking opportunities * Website support area including message board, franchisee news, local website administration and an extensive on-line library * Toll free help line
Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations-
Marketing Ad slicks, National media* Custom newsletters and direct mail pieces * Toll free help desk * National toll free lead line * Your own Internet website * Annual national conference * Introductory print ads * Marketing brand package of promotional materials * Public relations pieces * Mobile advertising customizable presentation
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)

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Expansion Plans
 
Craters & Freighters Franchise
Racing Limos Franchise
US Expansion YesYes
Canada Expansion No-
International Expansion Yes-

Company Overviews

About Craters & Freighters

Starting a franchise format business can eliminate some of the risk of opening an independent business because the concept, brand and name recognition have already been established. The new franchise is the beneficiary of the years of experience of those in support positions at the home office and of all the franchisees that have gone before them. The corporate team is in place to initially provide support in launching the business that includes forecasting and planning for business opening expenses, identifying a location, space planning, shop equipment, supply and inventory purchasing, staffing and training on a broad range of topics key to administering the daily operations of the business. Many more support functions are furnished throughout the life of the franchise pertaining to growing the business and its ongoing operations.
The Craters & Freighters network provides a distinct advantage over any would be competitor. Instead of being an independent business operation, the new franchise owner directly benefits from the services provided by the Craters & Freighters network of locations. The network provides a big competitive edge allowing our franchise owners to operate as a team. And finally, a franchisee has an additional advantages in controlling cost of goods as the combined spend of the system is used to negotiate discounted prices for goods and services on behalf of the franchisee.Craters & Freighters is the right choice as our ownership benefits provide: *Franchise Support *eBusiness Management Software *In House Engineering Services *Insurance Programs *Brand Identity *Marketing, Advertising & Promotion *eMarketing *Dynamic Center Opening Marketing Program *Opening Assistance *Sales Support *Craters & Freighters Global Logistics *Meetings, Seminars, Regionals & Conventions *Large Trade Areas *Economies of Scale *Networking Advantage
These are just a few of the advantages to becoming a Craters & Freighters Franchise owner!

About Racing Limos

Racing Limos was founded by Bryan Pease in Naples, FL in 2002 as a specialty transportation company.  At its peak, Racing Limos boasted 53 active franchise locations, but the 2007-2009 downturn slid the franchise operations into difficult times.

James Albion (Dover, NH) got involved with the NH franchise as an ad agency, ZMJ Advertising (founded in 1992), and felt the company had potential more as a marketing & advertising company than a limousine service.  Albion took over the Racing Limos business under his NH corporation, Racing Limos America, Inc., in April 2010.

"With the economy likely to stay in the dumper for another 10 years, and gasoline showing signs that we could see $5 - $6 per gallon, I saw the potential of the business moving into marketing and away from a luxury service.  Regardless of economy, businesses advertise, and when the economy is very difficult, as it is now, businesses are looking for more creative, aggressive forms of advertising to keep moving forward.  We are that aggressive, creative business."

Franchises are priced as turnkey operations, making it easier for a franchise owner to be in business and moving forward from Day 1.