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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of United Marketing Solutions vs American Town Mailer 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 | $23,900 - $37,200 |
Franchise Fee | $31,500 | $20,000 |
Royalty Fee | 0 | 0 |
Advertising Fee | - | - |
Year Founded | 1981 | 1976 |
Year Franchised | 1982 | 2000 |
Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 10 years |
Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 10 years |
Renewal Fee | 5% of current license fee | $1K |
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 | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line |
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. 0% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1 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 |
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.
NO LONGER FRANCHISING
Deborah Rowland and Dale Jarrett began American Town Mailer in 1976 to assist small to medium-sized businesses in the Phoenix area with direct mail advertising and marketing. The company began franchising in 2000. American Town Mailer franchisees meet with business owners, helping them design coupons or advertisements. Those designs are produced at American Town Mailer's corporate office, then packaged and shipped with coupons and advertisements from other businesses in the area. The package is sent to households within the franchisee's territory.