Image Sun Tanning Centers vs Palm Beach Tan Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Image Sun Tanning Centers vs Palm Beach Tan including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Image Sun Tanning Centers Franchise
Palm Beach Tan Franchise
Investment $295,000 - $395,000$624,438 - $926,790
Franchise Fee $24,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 6%4-6%
Advertising Fee -5.5%
Year Founded 19941990
Year Franchised 20001998
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee 10% of feeVaries


Business Experience Requirements
 
Image Sun Tanning Centers Franchise
Palm Beach Tan Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience

  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • Multi-unit retail development
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Image Sun Tanning Centers Franchise
    Palm Beach Tan Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/Yes
    Payroll No/YesNo/Yes

    Training & Support
     
    Image Sun Tanning Centers Franchise
    Palm Beach Tan Franchise
    Training

    One week at our support center office in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Then another week of on-site assistance will be provided at your location as we deem necessary. We offer unlimited additional training and support at our support center office.

    		Store level tools are made available On-The-Job Training: 320 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours Additional Training: As needed
    Support Newsletter, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesMeetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketingLoyalty program/app
    Operations 0% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 5

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		 Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 100% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3 - 5

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (15% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Image Sun Tanning Centers Franchise
    Palm Beach Tan Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Image Sun Tanning Centers

    Since opening our first tanning center in 1994, Image Sun has continuously developed and refined our business model to meet current customer demands. Today we have what many consider as the LEAST COSTLY and MOST EFFICIENT tanning salon model in the industry. 

    As far as we are concerned, life is too short for spending 5+ years building a successful business. We prefer to be successful in YEAR ONE! With two decades of tanning industry experience we've discovered that while "bigger is better” may be true in some aspects of life, it's certainly NOT true when it comes to tanning and Business Expenses. 

    Image Sun salons are extremely efficient. They are also incredibly EASY TO OPERATE. Our business model is ideal for small communities and suburbs. The fact is that our salons COST FAR LESS to BUILD and OPERATE than other tanning salon models.

    The result... The unique     Image Sun positioning allows our salon owners to INVEST LESS, MAXIMIZE REVENUES and produce a FASTER and BETTER RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT!

    We invite you to contact us today and learn more about our business model and find out if you and your community are good candidates for our truly unique business opportunity.

    About Palm Beach Tan

    Palm Beach Tan is actively seeking franchisees to join the Palm Beach Tan network. At Palm Beach Tan, our 20-year track record of success comes from delivering what appearance-conscious customers want. We’ve built our brand around providing members with convenience, choice, and state-of-the art sunbed and sunless services, all delivered in a relaxed spa-like environment staffed by the most extensively trained tanning consultants in the industry. Our standard is forging long-term customer relationships with a foundation in service, quality, and value. And with salons located in more than 24 states from coast-to-coast, we are the established, nationally recognized market leader in the growing indoor tanning market. If you are interested in learning more about the fast-growing world of indoor tanning or currently own a tanning salon(s) and are interested in learning more about conversion to the Palm Beach Tan brand, please contact us.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Palm Beach Tan Location ranges from $624,438 to $926,790. This total includes  approximately $35,949 to $39,321 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliate for a newly constructed Location.
    If you sign a Development Agreement, you will also pay a development fee equal to 100% of the initial franchise fee for the first Location and $5,000 for each additional Location to be developed under a Development Agreement. The portion of the development fee allocable to each Location (the development fee credit) will be credited against the initial franchise fee due for that Location.

    "Entrepreneur

    #20 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #63 in Franchise 500 for 2021.