California Closet Company vs The Gutter Guys Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
California Closet Company Franchise
The Gutter Guys Franchise
Investment $127,500 - $377,000$91,700
Franchise Fee $40,000$15,000
Royalty Fee 6%5%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19781988
Year Franchised 19822000
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee 50% of franchise fee25% of franchise fee


Business Experience Requirements

 
California Closet Company Franchise
The Gutter Guys Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • Marketing skills
  • People skills, good work ethic

  • Financing Options

     
    California Closet Company Franchise
    The Gutter Guys Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/No
    Equipment No/NoNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    California Closet Company Franchise
    The Gutter Guys Franchise
    Training On-site operational instruction Training for designer, installation, and production staff Proprietary technology for sales, design, and operational systems management-
    Support Media planning Local and national advertising collateral Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Co-op advertising, National media, Regional advertisingCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising
    Operations

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 8 - 10

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed.

    Franchise can be run from home.

    10% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 7

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    California Closet Company Franchise
    The Gutter Guys Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About California Closet Company

    Customized storage has grown from a small business into a major industry. Leading the field is California Closets, the franchise company that pioneered custom storage solutions in 1978. California Closets is the most well-known brand in the industry.
    The Industry Pioneer and Brand Leader
     Join the Company that pioneered the custom storage solutions industry. For over 40 years, California Closets has delighted its customers - by listening to their needs and creating individually designed solutions that work specifically for their lifestyles and home. Today, California Closets is the largest custom storage franchised system in the world, with over 100 franchises worldwide; it is the most recognized brand in its category. A California Closets franchise offers expert services in creating innovative home design solutions; ranging from its signature custom designed closets, home offices, entertainment rooms, utility rooms, garages and much more. We see home as more than a place. We see it as comfort and refuge, space for connection and celebration. Everything we do is designed to enhance home and help you enjoy the time you spend there. 30 years ago, we innovated a new industry - custom designed and installed storage. Today we're proud to be recognized as the leaders in the industry we first created all those years ago. Along the way we've continued to innovate, always striving to provide customers with stylish, smart and sustainable solutions for every home.

    About The Gutter Guys

    The Gutter Guys was founded by Michael Williams in 1988. Michael had been working in the restaurant and hospitality business for the previous fifteen years and needed gutters and downspouts on his new home. Amazed at the total lack of professionalism in the gutter companies he encountered while getting gutter installation estimates, he decided to start The Gutter Guys. Using his extensive knowledge of and passion for customer service, Michael's company now serves more than 300,000 happy customers throughout four mid-Atlantic states: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

    Not only did Michael develop the recipe to satisfy his customers, he also found the right recipe to recruit and retain quality employees. While discussing how to utilize and reward skilled employees with his business advisor and CPA Chuck Johnson, the idea of franchising came up. Not franchising in the normal sense, but as a way to expand the geographic area the business served and give employees an opportunity to become self employed while remaining with The Gutter Guys.

    Chuck was so instrumental in helping to develop a system to give The Gutter Guys' employees a chance to become franchise owners that he was invited to join the company. Chuck accepted and sold his well-established accounting practice to join The Gutters Guys full time. Since that time, we have helped twelve of our employees become self employed franchisees of The Gutter Guys.