Craters & Freighters vs BlueGrace Logistics Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Craters & Freighters Franchise
BlueGrace Logistics Franchise
Investment $176,850 - $276,500$65,000 - $147,000
Franchise Fee $31,500$47,500
Royalty Fee 5%16-19%
Advertising Fee 1%-
Year Founded 19902007
Year Franchised 19912011
Term Of Agreement 15 years5 years
Term Of Agreement 15 years5 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Craters & Freighters Franchise
BlueGrace Logistics 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
BlueGrace Logistics 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
BlueGrace Logistics 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.

Available at headquarters: 5 days.
Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations

Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives, Lease Negotiation
Marketing Ad slicks, National media

Co-op advertising, 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)

Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3 - 5.

Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators).

Expansion Plans
 
Craters & Freighters Franchise
BlueGrace Logistics 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 BlueGrace Logistics

Unlimit Yourself with a BlueGrace Logistics Franchise!BlueGrace Logistics has awarded over 25 Franchise locations across the United States and is recognized as one of the industry's fastest growing companies. Each Franchisee is provided with the technology and service offerings necessary to meet the critical needs of America's businesses that need to move product. With a state-of-the-art Transportation Management System (BlueShip), and access to a reliable carrier network, our franchisees have the ability to grow exponentially! BlueGrace is consistently recognized by the nation's leading industry publications and business development magazines like INC. 500, Entrepreneur, Inbound Logistics and more. As a BlueGrace Franchisee, you will receive: State-of-the-Art training on operations, technology, sales and industry-best-practices at our corporate office in beautiful Tampa, FL A dedicated, full-time Franchise Development Team for support Access to our BlueShip Transportation Management System A dedicated pricing department for RFP opportunties The opportunity to sell Nationwide to any business that needs to move product - it's a 600 Billion dollar, highly-fragmented industry! The opportunity to leverage yourself into instantly being a 1st class Logistics Company with Superior Carrier relationships As an extension of our Brand, you will get: Ongoing advanced training Business development coaching A fully branded and developed website just for your Franchise! Marketing consulting and support from the corporate office Traditional and online marketing strategies and methods Additional brand recognition and exposure as the corporate office propels into the market place Take the initiative and call one of our Franchise Development Managers today by calling 800.MY.SHIPPING or send us an email now!