|
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Today's Window Fashions vs Decorating Den Interiors including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
||
Investment | $49,000 - $55,000 | $52,580 - $70,355 |
Franchise Fee | $49,000 | $39,900 |
Royalty Fee | 4% | 7-9% |
Advertising Fee | - | - |
Year Founded | 1993 | 1969 |
Year Franchised | 1997 | 1970 |
Term Of Agreement | 5 years | 10 years |
Term Of Agreement | 5 years | 10 years |
Renewal Fee | $750 | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
||
Experience | ||
Financing Options |
||
In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
Franchise Fees | No/No | Yes/No |
Start-up Costs | No/No | Yes/No |
Equipment | No/No | No/No |
Inventory | No/No | No/No |
Receivables | No/No | No/No |
Payroll | No/No | No/No |
Training & Support |
||
Training | - | - |
Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Purchasing cooperatives | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Purchasing cooperatives |
Marketing | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising |
Operations |
Franchise can be run from home. 10% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1 - 2
Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
Franchise can be run from home. 1% of all franchisees own more than one unit
Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
Expansion Plans |
||
US Expansion | Yes | Yes |
Canada Expansion | No | No |
International Expansion | No | Yes |
Mark Barone founded Today's Window Fashions in 1993 because he recognized an opportunity for growth. In an industry that was primarily handled by independent companies, Barone believed there was strength in numbers, so he began franchising in 1997. Based in San Diego, the privately held company uses an online designer showroom to increase customer sales.
In 1969 Steve Bursten started Interiors by Decorating Den to offer interior decorating services to working couples and individuals who didn't have the time to shop for home d'r themselves. Today franchisees work out of custom-designed vans, bringing drapery, furniture, carpet and wall covering samples to the customer's home or office. There the franchisee helps the customer select everything from window treatments to furniture to artwork.
All franchisees go through 80 hours of initial training at Decorating Den Lifestyle University. That is followed up by six months of classroom work, home study, meetings, seminars and on-the-job training that may include working with an experienced decorator.