Guardsman FurniturePro vs Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Guardsman FurniturePro vs Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Guardsman FurniturePro Franchise
Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership Franchise
Investment $16,500 - $59,000$283,270 - $852,975
Franchise Fee $12,000 - $20,000$50,000
Royalty Fee Varies6%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 18651955
Year Franchised 19941992
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Renewal Fee -$2.5K


Business Experience Requirements

 
Guardsman FurniturePro Franchise
Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership Franchise
Experience -
  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    Guardsman FurniturePro Franchise
    Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/No
    Equipment No/NoNo/No
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Guardsman FurniturePro Franchise
    Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Ad slicks, National mediaCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising
    Operations Franchise can be run from home.

    10% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1 - 2

    100% of current franchisees are owner/operators

    International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 90% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (30% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Guardsman FurniturePro Franchise
    Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership Franchise
    US Expansion --
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Guardsman FurniturePro

    A division of Lilly Industries, Guardsman WoodPro is a mobile business that repairs furniture and refurbishes kitchen cabinets. It also offers a complete furniture stripping and refinishing program. It is a member of the Premier Home Services group.

    About Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership

    Aaron's Rents offers furnishings such as big screen televisions, couches and refrigerators for rental or purchase at its stores across the United States. R. Charles Loudermilk Sr. began the business in 1955, renting folding chairs he had purchased from an army surplus store for 10 cents a day. Today the company rents items for a few days or weeks, or sells items on 12- to 18-month terms.

    Aaron's Rents began franchising in 1992. The company is publicly traded on NASDAQ.