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Updated RecentlyApricot 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 |
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| 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 | 1991 | 1988 |
| Year Franchised | 2004 | 1993 |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 5/5/5/5 Years |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 5/5/5/5 Years |
| Renewal Fee | - | - |
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 | -/- |
| Start-up Costs | No/No | -/- |
| Equipment | No/No | -/- |
| Inventory | No/No | -/- |
| Receivables | No/No | -/- |
| Payroll | No/No | -/- |
Training & Support |
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| 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 cooperatives | Central 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 |
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| US Expansion | Yes | Yes |
| 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