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Updated RecentlySupport On-Site Computer Services vs PC-ER Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Support On-Site Computer Services vs PC-ER including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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| Investment | $23,700 - $46,800 | $17,500 - $22,500 |
| Franchise Fee | $15,000 | $7,500 |
| Royalty Fee | 6% | 2% |
| Advertising Fee | - | Varies |
| Year Founded | 1997 | 2007 |
| Year Franchised | 1998 | 2014 |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 2 years |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 2 years |
| Renewal Fee | - | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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| Experience | - | All franchisees should be A+ certified and/or the equivalent in experience. If not when signed they will be expected to complete this and a couple other certifications within the 1st 6 months of owning the franchise. For special cost benefits a Veteran and or their family can operate this franchise for as little as $7500. |
Financing Options |
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| In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
| Franchise Fees | Yes/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 | - | A franchisee should be at least A+ certified prior to entering this arrangement. There is a prescreening test provided to help us make sure we aren't setting the franchisee up for failure. We want success for us and them alike. We also have arranged a 30 hour, pre-franchise signing, Entrepreneurial training to help them make sure they know what goes into running a business. This is designed to help them write their own Business Plan and provide a mentoring coach over the next 12 months. |
| Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives | Our home location has technicians on staff available to assist in problem areas. |
| Marketing | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising | - |
| Operations |
Franchise can be run from home. International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1 - 2
Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) | Each PC-ER inside Walmart is responsible for store opening for 70 hours a week. I know this may sound like a lot but we are working on the premise that they are providing 3000+ walk by traffic daily. The franchisee can choose to hire someone support staff if necessary and adjustments can be made to their scheduled opening provided it is approved by PC-ER, LLC and Walmart prior to making the change. |
Expansion Plans |
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| US Expansion | - | Yes |
| Canada Expansion | No | - |
| International Expansion | Yes | - |
Company Overviews
About Support On-Site Computer Services
NO LONGER FRANCHISING
Founded by former computer executive Greg Cutler, Support On-Site Computer Services entered the computer services market in 1997. Franchising since 1998, the Irvine, California-based company provides on-site computer assistance to the growing population of homebased businesses and computer-owning households.
About PC-ER
PC-ER (Personal Computer and Electronic Repair) is a Veteran (and/or Veteran's family) owned business location within designated large retail locations. We will be providing service and repair to computers, laptops, tablets and cell phones. We will also provide warranty work for large retail locations as well as providing additional services to their customers regarding the use of their electronics. Franchisees will own and operate their own business within the franchise guidelines from the PC-ER, LLC. The operation of this franchise has been tested over the past 7 years with successful locations inside of large retail locations since. We have been granted a "pilot" with large retail locations which means we get 20 stores opened in 3 month intervals until we get to 100 locations, then they offer larger numbers of stores per 3 month window. It is our intent to be inside every available large retail location in the US within 5 years. For special cost benefits a Veteran and or their family can operate this franchise for as little as $7500.