Apricot Lane vs Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Apricot Lane vs Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Apricot Lane Franchise
Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership Franchise
Investment $137,150 - $361,800$283,270 - $852,975
Franchise Fee $39,500$50,000
Royalty Fee 5.5%6%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19911955
Year Franchised 20041992
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee -$2.5K


Business Experience Requirements

 
Apricot Lane Franchise
Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership Franchise
Experience -
  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    Apricot Lane Franchise
    Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/No
    Equipment No/NoNo/No
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Apricot Lane Franchise
    Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership Franchise
    Training --
    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, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing -Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, 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)

    International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 90% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (30% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Apricot Lane Franchise
    Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership 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 Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership

    Aaron's Rents offers furnishings such as big screen televisions, couches and refrigerators for rental or purchase at its stores across the United States. R. Charles Loudermilk Sr. began the business in 1955, renting folding chairs he had purchased from an army surplus store for 10 cents a day. Today the company rents items for a few days or weeks, or sells items on 12- to 18-month terms.

    Aaron's Rents began franchising in 1992. The company is publicly traded on NASDAQ.