Epcon Communities vs ABC Seamless Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Epcon Communities Franchise
ABC Seamless Franchise
Investment $887,200 - $4,569,000$86,000 - $268,500
Franchise Fee $50,000$12,000
Royalty Fee 1% to 2%2%-5%
Advertising Fee $500/ month0.5%
Year Founded 19861973
Year Franchised 19951978
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
ABC Seamless Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Upper management experience

  • Industry & general business experience are helpful but not necessary
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Epcon Communities Franchise
    ABC Seamless Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/No
    Equipment No/NoNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Epcon Communities Franchise
    ABC Seamless Franchise
    Training Available at headquarters-
    Support Toll-free phone line, field consultants, Intranet, marketing, trainingNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Marketing plans, materials, field supportAd 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.

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10

    100% of current franchisees are owner/operators

    Expansion Plans
     
    Epcon Communities Franchise
    ABC Seamless 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 ABC Seamless

    Founded by Gerald Beyers in 1973, ABC Seamless provides homeowners with seamless siding sales and installation. Originally a general remodeler, today the company offers steel siding, rain gutter and window installations. In 1995, Beyers was inducted into the North Dakota Entrepreneur Hall of Fame.