Apricot Lane vs A Shade Better Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Apricot Lane Franchise
A Shade Better Franchise
Investment $137,150 - $361,800$114,000 - $156,000
Franchise Fee $39,500$35,000
Royalty Fee 5.5%6%
Advertising Fee -1%
Year Founded 19911988
Year Franchised 20041993
Term Of Agreement 10 years5/5/5/5 Years
Term Of Agreement 10 years5/5/5/5 Years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Apricot Lane Franchise
A Shade Better Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
Apricot Lane Franchise
A Shade Better Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees No/No-/-
Start-up Costs No/No-/-
Equipment No/No-/-
Inventory No/No-/-
Receivables No/No-/-
Payroll No/No-/-

Training & Support

 
Apricot Lane Franchise
A Shade Better Franchise
Training -Cleveland, OH or Phoenix, AZ 6 Days

On-Site 6 Days

Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesCentral Purchasing:

Field Operation Evaluation:

Field Training:

Initial Store Opening:

Inventory Control:

Regional or National Meetings: At Additional Cost

800 Telephone Hotline:

Marketing --
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)

Average Number of Employees: 2 Full-time, 2 Part-time

Preferred Sites: Strip Center


Expansion Plans

 
Apricot Lane Franchise
A Shade Better Franchise
US Expansion YesYes
Canada Expansion No-
International Expansion No-

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 A Shade Better

NO LONGER FRANCHISING