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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of DirectBuy vs Glacial Star 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 | $359,000 - $904,000 | $50,000 |
Franchise Fee | $75,000 | $50,000 |
Royalty Fee | 22% | $2,200 per month |
Advertising Fee | 3% | 0 |
Year Founded | 1971 | 2006 |
Year Franchised | 1972 | 2008 |
Term Of Agreement | 12 years | - |
Term Of Agreement | 12 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 | Yes/Yes | -/- |
Start-up Costs | No/Yes | -/- |
Equipment | No/Yes | -/- |
Inventory | No/No | -/- |
Receivables | No/No | -/- |
Payroll | No/No | -/- |
Training & Support |
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Training | At regional meetings | - |
Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Internet, Field operations/evaluations | - |
Marketing | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media | - |
Operations |
1% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 9 - 12
Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) | - |
Expansion Plans |
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US Expansion | Yes | - |
Canada Expansion | No | - |
International Expansion | Yes | - |
James L. Gagan founded UCC TotalHome in 1971 and began franchising the following year. Based in Merrillville, Indiana, the private company has over 90 locations throughout North America. DirectBuy began with a vision. It was a vision of liberating consumers from the high cost of retail buying; of allowing consumers to buy goods for their homes at manufacturer direct prices plus freight, handling and sales tax; of restoring to families the opportunity to buy the things they need and want at prices they could afford. That was over three decades ago. Today, the vision has materialized into an exceptional opportunity for DirectBuy franchise owners. We provide a proven, replicable system that allows them to realize the results and rewards of their business quickly. DirectBuy is the largest, most successful business of its kind in North America. For homeowners, remodelers and families in general, our centers are a very significant channel of alternative purchasing in North America.
Own your own collection agency! In today's down economy, the collection industry is booming and Glacial Star Group, Inc. is offering a collection franchise opportunity. At a price equivalent to a mere fraction of what one would pay to start their own agency and become licensed nationwide, a GSG franchisee gains nationwide licensing, a full compliance department (to answer issues such as Attorney General or Better Business Bureau complaints), all necessary documents (including NDA's, contingency and purchasing contracts, and CNR Attorney reviewed letters) and full access to ICEware Corp.'s ICEware Collection Software, Hosted Collection Services and Hosted IT support. ICEware is based on Zero-Footprint Technology, meaning there is no need for in-house servers or other hardware. It is browser-based as well; thus uses only limited resources and works in an 'on demand' environment. Also, ICEware Corp. acts as an outsourced IT department for GSG franchisees; quickly and efficiently handling unlimited updates, reporting, customization and training at no additional cost, and eliminating the need for an in-house IT department. As an added note, ICEware can be integrated with third party vendors (including dialers, letter vendors, skip tracers and credit bureaus) at no additional cost. GSG also offers an Exchange Model which makes it possible for a company or individual to manage multiple remote offices anywhere in the world from a centralized location. GSG will put you in contact with their pre-approved exchange teams that work only on commission; meaning you don't pay unless they collect. Welcome to the first 'out-of-the-box' collection agency franchise opportunity coupled with the world's first designer collection software!