The Closet Factory vs Melt Shop Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of The Closet Factory vs Melt Shop including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
The Closet Factory Franchise
Melt Shop Franchise
Investment $208,500 - $356,000$368,240 - $698,800
Franchise Fee $46,500$35,000
Royalty Fee 5.75%6%
Advertising Fee -2%
Year Founded 19832010
Year Franchised 19862017
Term Of Agreement 5 years5 Years +5+5+5
Term Of Agreement 5 years5 Years +5+5+5
Renewal Fee $7K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
The Closet Factory Franchise
Melt Shop Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • People skills
  • Melt Shop is seeking well capitalized partners who are entrepreneurial and have a strong knowledge of their market. The ideal franchisee is a proven multi-unit operator in the restaurant industry. At this time we are not offering sub-franchises.

    Financing Options

     
    The Closet Factory Franchise
    Melt Shop Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/Yes
    Equipment No/Yes-/Yes
    Inventory No/Yes-/Yes
    Receivables No/No-/Yes
    Payroll No/No-/Yes

    Training & Support

     
    The Closet Factory Franchise
    Melt Shop Franchise
    Training -On-The-Job Training: 224 hours Classroom Training: 24 hours
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 30% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6

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

    Number of Employees Required to Run: 15

    Expansion Plans

     
    The Closet Factory Franchise
    Melt Shop Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About The Closet Factory

    John LaBarbera founded The Closet Factory in a small industrial space in Los Angeles in 1983. The company started out with six employees customizing closets, offices, garages and pantries, and now has more than 100 employees at its Los Angeles headquarters. There are also 11 other factories around the world.

    The Closet Factory works with homeowners, contractors and interior decorators, installing closets, entertainment centers, pantries and shelves for offices and garages.

    You are unique and so are your needs. No one knows that better than The Closet Factory. When it comes to creating custom solutions that are imaginative, well organized and satisfy your design sensibilities, The Closet Factory believes the process must begin with a partnership between you and one of our designers.

    About Melt Shop

    Melt Shop believes that one quality, more than any other, determines the success of a concept: the strength of the brand and its connection to guests.
    Melt Shop was built upon that premise
    Seeking multi-unit franchisees with strong restaurant and hospitality experience and a shared dedication to operational excellence who have a strong knowledge of their market. The ideal franchisee is a proven multi-unit operator in the restaurant industry. At this time we are not offering sub-franchises.