|
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Miracle Method Surface Restoration vs The Gutter Guys including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
||
Investment | $84,500 - $180,000 | $91,700 |
Franchise Fee | $45,000 - $58,000 | $15,000 |
Royalty Fee | 5.5% | 5% |
Advertising Fee | 1.5% | - |
Year Founded | 1977 | 1988 |
Year Franchised | 1979 | 2000 |
Term Of Agreement | 5 years | 10 years |
Term Of Agreement | 5 years | 10 years |
Renewal Fee | 5% | 25% of franchise fee |
Business Experience Requirements |
||
Experience | Highly Motivated and Driven to Succeed. We are selective in who we choose as our franchisees. Our ideal candidates are motivated, able to follow processes & procedures, and can manage a business. Prefer some experience in Management, Sales, Marketing or Customer Service | |
Financing Options |
||
In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
Franchise Fees | Yes/No | No/No |
Start-up Costs | No/Yes | No/No |
Equipment | No/Yes | No/Yes |
Inventory | No/Yes | No/No |
Receivables | No/No | No/No |
Payroll | No/No | No/No |
Training & Support |
||
Training | We offer our franchisees an unmatched level of support and training. There is no other program like it in the surface refinishing industry. From our initial 20+ days of "immersion training" to our ongoing support, we help you profitably grow your business. On-The-Job Training: 80 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours | - |
Support | Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform | Newsletter, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives |
Marketing | You will receive startup marketing collateral, including business cards, letterhead, brochures, door hangers, and sales brochures. A customized marketing plan will be developed for your territory and you will have access to Miracle Method's vast arsenal of radio and television commercials, direct mail programs, truck signage, home show materials, display ads, and more. The marketing team will be available to you for advice and direction to keep your advertising and marketing effective and persuasive. In addition, a customized subweb and unique url address will be created for you so customers can find your phone number, email you, request an estimate and read about your particular services. Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising |
Operations | Franchisees start with a showroom location in their territory and minimum of 2-3 employees. Absentee Ownership Allowed Number of Employees Required to Run: 1 - 6 |
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 |
||
US Expansion | Yes | Yes |
Canada Expansion | Yes | No |
International Expansion | No | No |
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.