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Updated RecentlyCraters & Freighters vs EcoBox Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Craters & Freighters vs EcoBox 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 | $136,900 - $324,800 |
| Franchise Fee | $31,500 | $19,000 - $29,500 |
| Royalty Fee | 5% | - |
| Advertising Fee | 1% | - |
| Year Founded | 1990 | 1994 |
| Year Franchised | 1991 | 2008 |
| Term Of Agreement | 15 years | - |
| Term Of Agreement | 15 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. | We are looking for candidates with strong business background, ability to build and motivate a team and to execute and implement operating system. Financial: Minimum of $75,000 in liquid capital Minimum of $250,000 net worth and a strong credit history Ownership structure: Approved franchisee must retain at least 51% ownership at all times and oversee store operations. Training: Successful completion of EcoBox University and in-store training. Other: Good driving record (MVR), good credit, no bankruptcies, U.S. citizenship or the ability to work legally in the U.S. |
Financing Options |
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| In-House/3rd Party | In-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 |
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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. | Franchisees receive 15 days training: 5 days classroom and 5 days hands on in-store training at our corporate headquarter in Austin, Texas. Additional 5 days on-site training prior to and after store opening. On going online support via GoTo Meeting, DVD and one-on-one training, plus quarterly leadership training and annual meeting. |
| Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations | - |
| Marketing | Ad slicks, National media | - |
| 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) | - |
Expansion Plans |
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| US Expansion | Yes | - |
| Canada Expansion | No | - |
| International Expansion | Yes | - |
Company Overviews
About Craters & Freighters
About EcoBox
It's Your Move.
Founded in 1994, EcoBox is a multi-million dollar company, currently operating two successful stores and a distribution center in Austin, Texas. We are now ready to expand our operation to additional markets in Texas.
EcoBox, a leading moving and shipping supplies company based in Austin, Texas, is looking for bright, energetic franchise partners who want to be part of our national expansion. At EcoBox, our message is simple but powerful: Our customers get the largest selection of new and recycled moving and shipping supplies at the lowest possible cost - saving money and helping the environment at the same time.
Why Franchise with EcoBox? Never has the market been better for the independent packaging industry. Americans are on the move. The average person moves 11 times in their lifetime, and 17 percent of all Americans (roughly 50 million people) change their address each year.
At the same time, small businesses and home-based businesses are growing as never before. More than 99 percent of all businesses today are small businesses. And more than half of those are home-based, according to the Small Business Administration.
EcoBox is an exciting "green" concept specializing in moving boxes and shipping supplies with an economical and ecological approach.