Around Town Community Magazine vs Our Town America Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Around Town Community Magazine vs Our Town America including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Around Town Community Magazine Franchise
Our Town America Franchise
Investment $37,600 - $54,800$63,300 - $86,250
Franchise Fee $25,000$47,500
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee -up to 1%
Year Founded 19961972
Year Franchised 20032004
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Around Town Community Magazine Franchise
Our Town America Franchise
Experience -
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • Financing Options

     
    Around Town Community Magazine Franchise
    Our Town America 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/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Around Town Community Magazine Franchise
    Our Town America Franchise
    Training - On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours Additional Training: At designated location
    Support Meetings, Internet, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Online Support Field Operations Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing -Social media Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations Franchise can be run from home.

    100% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Franchise can be run from home.

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

    Number of Employees Required to Run: 1


    Expansion Plans

     
    Around Town Community Magazine Franchise
    Our Town America Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoNo

    Company Overviews

    About Around Town Community Magazine

    Around Town Community Magazine, Inc. ("Around Town") began franchise operations in September 2002 in Woodstock, Georgia. Around Town franchises niche community magazines, each has a goal of "strengthening communities."Around Town was founded by Gina Carr and Don Kyle. Gina has a BA from Georgia Tech in Industrial Engineering and an MBA from Harvard. Don has a BS in Accounting from Florida State University and also is a CPA. Together they started The TowneLaker magazine in June 1996 and Sixes Living magazine in June 2000. After many years of practice, they decided to franchise the niche community magazine concept through Around Town Community Magazine, Inc.

    About Our Town America

    Join Our Winning Team! For almost a decade, Our Town America has been a growing franchise organization that is now in the top 50 list for franchisee satisfaction according to Franchise Business Review. At Our Town America, we build business relationships with the best small businesses in the country. A franchisee is a person or group of individuals that is part of the Our Town America family. Located throughout the United States, they operate as an extension of our corporate office. Their goals are parallel to ours: help new movers adjust and feel welcomed into their community, and help local businesses gain new loyal and long-term customers every month.

    Veteran Incentives  $10,000 off franchise fee
    ""   
    In Franchise Business Reviews' Top 200.