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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Wheelchair Getaways vs RimTyme including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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Investment | $40,000 - $112,000 | $321,208 - $684,250 |
Franchise Fee | $17,500 | $25,000 |
Royalty Fee | $550/van/yr. | 4% |
Advertising Fee | - | $250/ mo |
Year Founded | 1988 | 2005 |
Year Franchised | 1989 | 2007 |
Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 5-10 years + 5-10 |
Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 5-10 years + 5-10 |
Renewal Fee | $5K | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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Experience | - | - |
Financing Options |
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In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
Franchise Fees | No/No | No/Yes |
Start-up Costs | No/No | No/Yes |
Equipment | No/No | No/Yes |
Inventory | No/No | No/Yes |
Receivables | No/No | No/No |
Payroll | No/No | No/No |
Training & Support |
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Training | - | 4 Weeks |
Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives | *Central Purchasing *Field Operation Evaluation *Field Training *Initial Store Opening *Inventory Control *Franchisee Newsletter *Regional or National Meetings |
Marketing | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising | *National Advertising *Regional Advertising *Local Advertising *Marketing Materials *Additional Services *Other Marketing Support |
Operations |
Franchise can be run from home. 25% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3 Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) | Passive Ownership: Discouraged Average Number of Employees: 5 Full-time, 0 Part-time |
Expansion Plans |
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US Expansion | Yes | Yes |
Canada Expansion | No | No |
International Expansion | Yes | Yes |
In 1921 the Pennsylvania-based Van Artsdalen Express was a successful freight company. By 1972, it had been restructured to operate school buses instead of trucks. While working for the company, J. Edward Van Artsdalen noticed that people using wheelchairs were some of the most poorly served individuals in the transportation market. Motivated by this discovery, Van Artsdalen founded Wheelchair Getaways Inc. in 1988. The company rents wheelchair-accessible vans to individuals and groups. The company began franchising in 1989 and was purchased by J. Stewart and Jean Gatewood in 1994. Wheelchair Getaways is now based in Versailles, Kentucky and owned by Richard Gatewood and Moon Ko.
RimTyme franchises provide a full and complete line of custom wheel and tire products, offered to consumers under traditional retail sales programs and under rental purchase programs. RimTyme franchises also engage in retail sales of accessory products. The RimTyme franchise prototype was developed and proven by current franchisees. These custom rim and tire stores offer same-day custom wheel and tire installations to customers at competitive prices and affordable payment plans. Compelling unit economics, combined with a well-established franchisor with over 40 years' experience, provides an unparalleled opportunity.