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Updated RecentlyEpcon Communities vs United States Seamless Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Epcon Communities vs United States Seamless including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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| Investment | $887,200 - $4,569,000 | $49,500 - $147,000 |
| Franchise Fee | $50,000 | $8,500 |
| Royalty Fee | 1% to 2% | Varies |
| Advertising Fee | $500/ month | - |
| Year Founded | 1986 | 1992 |
| Year Franchised | 1995 | 1992 |
| Term Of Agreement | Completion of 1 market area | 15 years |
| Term Of Agreement | Completion of 1 market area | 15 years |
| Renewal Fee | $25000 | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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| Experience | ||
Financing Options |
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| In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
| Franchise Fees | No/No | Yes/Yes |
| Start-up Costs | No/No | No/Yes |
| Equipment | No/No | Yes/Yes |
| Inventory | No/No | No/Yes |
| Receivables | No/No | No/Yes |
| Payroll | No/No | No/Yes |
Training & Support |
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| Training | Available at headquarters | Annual training |
| Support | Toll-free phone line, field consultants, Intranet, marketing, training | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations |
| Marketing | Marketing plans, materials, field support | Ad slicks |
| 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. 0% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 4 Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
Expansion Plans |
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| US Expansion | - | - |
| Canada Expansion | No | No |
| International Expansion | Yes | No |
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.
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About United States Seamless
United States Seamless was founded in 1991 and began franchising in 1992. It has more than 100 franchised territories and is based in Fargo, North Dakota.