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Updated RecentlyBlind Man of America vs Floor Coverings International Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Blind Man of America vs Floor Coverings International including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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| Investment | $45,500 - $69,100 | $154,200 - $222,700 |
| Franchise Fee | $15,000 | $57,900 |
| Royalty Fee | 4.3% | 5% |
| Advertising Fee | - | 3% |
| Year Founded | 1991 | 1988 |
| Year Franchised | 1996 | 1989 |
| Term Of Agreement | 5 years | 5 years |
| Term Of Agreement | 5 years | 5 years |
| Renewal 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 | No/No | No/Yes |
| Start-up Costs | No/No | No/Yes |
| Equipment | No/No | No/Yes |
| Inventory | No/No | No/Yes |
| Receivables | No/No | No/Yes |
| Payroll | No/No | No/Yes |
Training & Support |
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| Training | - | We are going to teach you world-class business practices - from estimating a job to maintaining strong margins through efficient project management, to training employees to understanding and utilizing sales and marketing strategies .You will receive everything you need to become a successful member of the Floor Coverings International family of franchisees. Franchise training consists of a combination of classroom, online and field learning. Your three weeks of comprehensive franchise training are spread over the course of several months to promote maximum retention and franchise success. On-The-Job Training: 12 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours Additional Training: Regional meetings & national convention |
| Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line | We are available year round to help you to continue learning and provide additional franchise training for franchise success. It all starts with our annual convention. This is where all members of the Floor Coverings International family assemble to recap the successes of the year and plan for the upcoming year. For franchisees there are also peer meetings. These "momentum groups" are a great resource for franchisees of varying experience levels to create synergy by sharing successful local sales techniques and business strategies. We provide a comprehensive data system that enables you to manage every aspect of your business. You will be able to manage your marketing programs, leads, scheduling, estimates, jobs in progress and employees all from one interface. You'll be able to download and upload information to and from corporate databases, customize reports to fit your business model, and manage your business against established plans and goals. Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform |
| Marketing | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks | Ad slicks, Regional advertising |
| Operations |
Franchise can be run from home. 0% 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. 1% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2 Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators)
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Expansion Plans |
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| US Expansion | Yes | Yes |
| Canada Expansion | No | Yes |
| International Expansion | No | Yes |
Company Overviews
About Blind Man of America
The Blind Man of America is a home-based business providing customers with in-home selection of custom-made blinds, shades, shutters and more. We work from home and travel in the "blind mobile", our full-service vans containing everything we need to provide our customers with an unsurpassed selection of products with professional installation.
Our concept is framed in its simplicity. The idea is this - most of today's home owners know what they want in window coverings, but they want someone else to do the critical measuring and installation. That's where Blind Man of America comes in. We provide a huge selection of quality products, provide expert measuring and installation, and guarantee it all!
We provide this service to our customers in the comfort of their own home and all with unmatched customer service. It's a concept that consumers love and a system that's easy to implement for our franchisees. But, does it work? Judge for yourself. As a whole, our company averaged a 59% closing ratio in 2004 which means 6 out of every 10 estimates we've converted to sales. Our franchisees in business three years or more averaged a 55% repeat and referral business as well.
About Floor Coverings International
Floor Coverings International was established in 1988 as the first "mobile shop-at-home" floor covering franchise. Floor Coverings International continues to be the leading mobile floor-covering retailer with franchise units throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
In 1998 a new direction and focus was given to Floor Coverings International when Thomas and Cynthia Gandee purchased the company. With backgrounds in floor covering sales and interior decorating respectively, and with more than 25 years of franchising experience, including owning their own Floor Coverings International franchise, Tom and Cindy are committed to the future of Floor Coverings International and the mobile concept of providing floor coverings to consumers.
Building on the strengths of the concepts, the Gandees have brought together a new management team to support existing franchise partners and launch new business in their pursuit of "creating and keeping more customers."
There is large demand for specialty affordable custom flooring as people continue to invest in the comfort, style and value of their homes. More and more customers are demanding specialized products from around the world. Customers want a design unique to them, utilizing dimension and mixed textures. Along with design leadership, they desire a high level of customer experience and service.
These factors, combined with the continuing challenges in the real estate market create a business opportunity in the flooring industry that is likely to continue for many years into the future. Property owners are staying in their homes longer and they want their homes to be comfortable, fashionable and well maintained. The franchise business opportunities from Floor Coverings International are perfectly positioned to continue and will allow us to remain the market leader for many years to come.
A great business concept, new leadership, and superb franchise partners are key to Floor Coverings International's future growth.
Veteran Incentives 5% off franchise fee
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