|
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of United Marketing Solutions vs SportsXpress including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
||
Investment | $39,615 - $61,485 | $15,000 - And Up |
Franchise Fee | $31,500 | $15,000 |
Royalty Fee | 0 | 10% which includes a 2% towards training fund |
Advertising Fee | - | - |
Year Founded | 1981 | - |
Year Franchised | 1982 | - |
Term Of Agreement | 10 years | - |
Term Of Agreement | 10 years | - |
Renewal Fee | 5% of current license fee | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
||
Experience | - | * Passion for sports * Strong people skills * Small financial investment |
Financing Options |
||
In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
Franchise Fees | Yes/No | -/- |
Start-up Costs | No/No | -/- |
Equipment | No/No | -/- |
Inventory | No/No | -/- |
Receivables | No/No | -/- |
Payroll | No/No | -/- |
Training & Support |
||
Training | - | - |
Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, 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) | - |
Expansion Plans |
||
US Expansion | Yes | Yes |
Canada Expansion | No | Yes |
International Expansion | 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.
SportsXpress is a grassroots, multi-media publishing platform dedicated exclusively to the community sports lifestyle! We’re all about the athletes, their teams, coaches, families, volunteers and fans. We publish real life stories and include all ages and skill levels.
Our business plan was derived from the evident lack of coverage of local organized sports. Through discussions with numerous groups and associations we also discovered those involved in local sports view it as more of a "lifestyle" - an important part of their identity. Later, we discovered the local sports scene is one of the largest lifestyle segments in any community and across the country.
In the spring of 2008 we launched a test model and have been developing the playbook ever since.
We are excited to invite you to be a part of this distinct lifestyle - one that we call a “hidden economy”, and look forward to working with you on developing your winning game plan.