Apricot Lane vs Norwalk Furniture & Design Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Apricot Lane vs Norwalk Furniture & Design including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Apricot Lane Franchise
Norwalk Furniture & Design Franchise
Investment $137,150 - $361,800$495,000
Franchise Fee $39,500$35,000
Royalty Fee 5.5%0
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19911902
Year Franchised 20041987
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Apricot Lane Franchise
Norwalk Furniture & Design Franchise
Experience -
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Apricot Lane Franchise
    Norwalk Furniture & Design Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/Yes
    Equipment No/NoNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Apricot Lane Franchise
    Norwalk Furniture & Design Franchise
    Training -Administrative & service management
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing -Ad slicks, Regional advertising
    Operations

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

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		 10% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 14

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Apricot Lane Franchise
    Norwalk Furniture & Design Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About Apricot Lane

    Our Apricot Lane specialty retail stores are part of a Country Visions retail franchise system that specializes in unique gifts, fashion accessories and home decor products. When you join the Country Visions franchise system, you will benefit from one of the most advanced operational systems in the nation. You will gain access to extensive networking resources, including preferred national vendors who offer our stores volume discounts and exclusive products; marketing support from our in-house advertising; state-of-the-art point of sale, inventory management and computer support systems; and national franchise conventions for direct franchise networking and training. You will also be trained by our professional staff at our Country Visions University in visual merchandising, pricing strategies, customer service, marketing and computer systems, as well as employee motivation and development.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of your first COUNTRY VISIONS store is $137,150 to $361,800 for a start-up store. This includes $37,500 to $49,300 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of your second and each subsequent COUNTRY VISIONS store is $112,650 to $337,300 for a start-up store. This includes $18,000 to $24,800 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate.

    About Norwalk Furniture & Design

    For more than 100 years, we've helped furniture shoppers create something unique. Since 1987, we've done the same for our franchisees. Our philosophy is simple: Create stylish, one-of-a-kind upholstered furniture in an intimate, service-oriented retail environment. That means a low-inventory investment for you and an extraordinary selection for your customers. It's this one-of-a-kind furniture store concept that makes our nearly 80 Norwalk Furniture Idea stores a growing success and the right concept, at the right time. Why Norwalk Now? Consumer research shows people spending more time at home these days. They see their home as their refuge, their sanctuary from the pressures of the world. More time at home results in more spending to decorate those homes. And today's sophisticated, upscale consumer does not want to settle for ordinary, off-the-shelf decorating solutions.