Epcon Communities vs Kitchen Tune-Up Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Epcon Communities vs Kitchen Tune-Up including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Epcon Communities Franchise
Kitchen Tune-Up Franchise
Investment $887,200 - $4,569,000$94,973 - $129,077
Franchise Fee $50,000$72,000
Royalty Fee 1% to 2%7%-2%
Advertising Fee $500/ month1%
Year Founded 19861986
Year Franchised 19951988
Term Of Agreement Completion of 1 market area10 years
Term Of Agreement Completion of 1 market area10 years
Renewal Fee $25000-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Epcon Communities Franchise
Kitchen Tune-Up Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Upper management experience

  • General business experience
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Epcon Communities Franchise
    Kitchen Tune-Up Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoYes/No
    Equipment No/NoYes/No
    Inventory No/NoYes/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Epcon Communities Franchise
    Kitchen Tune-Up Franchise
    Training Available at headquarters Classroom Training: 92 hours Additional Training: Online pre-training/post-training webinars
    Support Toll-free phone line, field consultants, Intranet, marketing, trainingPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Marketing plans, materials, field supportCo-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 4

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		 Franchise can be run from home.

    International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (99% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Epcon Communities Franchise
    Kitchen Tune-Up Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About Epcon Communities

    In 1986, Philip Fankhauser and Edward Bacome founded Epcon Homes & Communities in Columbus, OH when they built their first residential community. Three years later, a local builder who wanted to utilize their successful design and floor plans for a community in a nearby city approached the duo. The partners were hesitant to license their already proven system out to other builders and, at the time, had little interest in expanding outside of the Columbus market. However, their designs and floor plans became so widely popular that others also soon came calling, seeking to build an Epcon Homes & Communities-style development in neighboring cities or in outlying areas of Ohio. Fankhauser and Bacome finally granted the first license to use their successful construction plans and the franchising concept was born. The company began franchising in 1995 and has not looked back. Epcon Communities and its franchisees built over 25,000 homes and established franchises in 30 states.
    Epcon is seeking new franchise units throughout the U.S.
    Epcon's long-term goal is to expand into all 50 states, Canada and Central America.

    "Entrepreneur
    #398 in Franchise 500 for 2020.





    About Kitchen Tune-Up

    Dave Haglund began a cabinet distributorship in 1975 and found his market niche while visiting a customer's home in 1986. Noticing that the 6-year-old kitchen was starting to look a little run-down, but wasn't ready to be remodeled, he offered to touch up some of the worn areas. When the customer was thrilled with the results, Haglund realized the market potential of this concept. After years of testing and perfecting his process of restoring interior wood surfaces, Haglund began franchising in 1989. There are now Kitchen Tune-Up franchises throughout North America. Both retail and homebased franchises are available. Franchisees offer wood restoration and repair for both residential and commercial customers, as well as finish recoating, door replacement and a branded line of custom cabinets. In addition, franchisees may offer shelf lining, replacement hardware, cabinet organizing accessories, and wood care and maintenance.

    Veteran Incentives  $7,900 off franchise fee


    "Entrepreneur
    #315 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #324 in Franchise 500 for 2021.