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Updated RecentlyUnited Marketing Solutions vs Around Town Community Magazine Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of United Marketing Solutions vs Around Town Community Magazine including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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| Investment | $39,615 - $61,485 | $37,600 - $54,800 |
| Franchise Fee | $31,500 | $25,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 0 | 5% |
| Advertising Fee | - | - |
| Year Founded | 1981 | 1996 |
| Year Franchised | 1982 | 2003 |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 5 years |
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 5 years |
| Renewal Fee | 5% of current license fee | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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| Experience | - | - |
Financing Options |
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| In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
| Franchise Fees | Yes/No | No/No |
| Start-up Costs | No/No | No/No |
| Equipment | No/No | No/No |
| Inventory | No/No | No/No |
| Receivables | No/No | No/No |
| Payroll | No/No | No/No |
Training & Support |
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| Training | - | - |
| Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations | Meetings, Internet, Field operations/evaluations |
| Marketing | - | - |
| Operations |
Franchise can be run from home. 17% of all franchisees own more than one unit
Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
Franchise can be run from home. 100% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2 Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
Expansion Plans |
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| US Expansion | Yes | Yes |
| Canada Expansion | No | No |
| International Expansion | No | No |
Company Overviews
About United Marketing Solutions
After Jerry Bernier used direct mail advertising to reach customers for his home-improvement business, he wanted to learn more about the industry. Through his research, Bernier began envisioning a multifaceted company that would provide small-business owners with a variety of marketing products and services. In 1981, Bernier founded United Coupon Corp. to provide those services.
The company, which changed its name to United Marketing Solutions in 1998, began franchising in 1982. Franchisees send out mass mailings five to six times per year in their territory, giving retailers and service providers the opportunity to advertise to consumers in a specific community.
United Marketing Solutions provides graphics, layouts, printing, binding and mailing to its franchisees.
About Around Town Community Magazine
Around Town Community Magazine, Inc. ("Around Town") began franchise operations in September 2002 in Woodstock, Georgia. Around Town franchises niche community magazines, each has a goal of "strengthening communities."Around Town was founded by Gina Carr and Don Kyle. Gina has a BA from Georgia Tech in Industrial Engineering and an MBA from Harvard. Don has a BS in Accounting from Florida State University and also is a CPA. Together they started The TowneLaker magazine in June 1996 and Sixes Living magazine in June 2000. After many years of practice, they decided to franchise the niche community magazine concept through Around Town Community Magazine, Inc.