DirectBuy vs Glacial Star Group Franchise Comparison

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

 
DirectBuy Franchise
Glacial Star Group Franchise
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 19712006
Year Franchised 19722008
Term Of Agreement 12 years-
Term Of Agreement 12 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
DirectBuy Franchise
Glacial Star Group Franchise
Experience
  • Marketing skills
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    DirectBuy Franchise
    Glacial Star Group Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-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

     
    DirectBuy Franchise
    Glacial Star Group Franchise
    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

     
    DirectBuy Franchise
    Glacial Star Group Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    Company Overviews

    About DirectBuy

    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.

    About Glacial Star Group

    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!