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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Around Town Community Magazine vs SNAP Newspaper Group including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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Investment | $37,600 - $54,800 | $69,500 - $89,500 |
Franchise Fee | $25,000 | $29,500 - $49,500 |
Royalty Fee | 5% | - |
Advertising Fee | - | - |
Year Founded | 1996 | - |
Year Franchised | 2003 | - |
Term Of Agreement | 5 years | - |
Term Of Agreement | 5 years | - |
Renewal Fee | - | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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Experience | - | Applicants must demonstrate a strong desire to own and operate their own successful business. SNAP looks for high potential franchise owners who are committed to the business and to making it a success, as well as those with the experience or confidence to relate well to community members and advertisers within. The need for hard work in the operation of a profitable franchise cannot be over-emphasized. |
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 | - | New Franchisees receive training for themselves and their key people for two (2) full Weeks including both practical and on-the-job instruction. Training will be provided at a SNAP location for 5 days and an additional 5 days at the Franchisees office or territory. |
Support | Meetings, Internet, Field operations/evaluations | - |
Marketing | - | - |
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) | - |
Expansion Plans |
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US Expansion | Yes | - |
Canada Expansion | No | - |
International Expansion | No | - |
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.
Almost everyone is aware of the tremendous boom in franchising that has occurred in the world during the last twenty years. But, why has it been so successful, and how does it work? Most understand it as a means for independent entrepreneurs to go into business for themselves in order to distribute various goods or services. There is no definition that holds true in all cases. However, in general terms, franchising is a method of distribution or marketing in which a company (the "Franchisor") grants by contract to an individual, or other company (the "Franchisee") the right to carry on a business in a prescribed way, in a particular location or area, for a specified period. The Franchisee is licensed to sell a product or service to the public. In return, the Franchisor receives a royalty for support and expertise given under a common name. The strong and growing popularity of franchising around the world has resulted from the built-in advantages that franchises enjoy over the newly started independent business. Some of these advantages are: * A recognizable brand name * Professional assistance in demographic studies and market analysis, financial planning, employee training, start-up and ongoing support * Head office support and assistance in such areas as marketing and sales, research, accounting systems, etc. * Full publication design and output Indeed, statistics show that while an independently owned and operated business stands a seventy to eighty percent chance of failure in the first two years, a newly opened franchise business has over an eighty percent chance of success during the same period. You owe it to yourself to thoroughly investigate any business opportunity that comes along. We will be more than happy to spend whatever time is required to review all the facts regarding franchising in general and a SNAP Franchise opportunity in particular.