Slumberland vs DOTI Design Stores Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Slumberland vs DOTI Design Stores including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Slumberland Franchise
DOTI Design Stores Franchise
Investment $545,500 - $1,994,000$290,000 - $398,000
Franchise Fee $30,000 - $50,000$37,500
Royalty Fee 3%6%
Advertising Fee 1%-
Year Founded 19671983
Year Franchised 19771999
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Slumberland Franchise
DOTI Design Stores Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Industry experience, marketing skills preferred, but not necessary; strong understanding of retail business and commitment to customer service

  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • Management experience
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Slumberland Franchise
    DOTI Design Stores Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/Yes
    Equipment No/NoNo/No
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Slumberland Franchise
    DOTI Design Stores Franchise
    Training Ongoing both on site & at corporate office On-The-Job Training: 200+ hours Classroom Training: 26 hours -
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Slumberland Furniture's marketing philosophy combines convenient, high profile locations with name brand merchandise, high impact advertising, and a value-added approach to the customer. Advertising is a key component of our marketing strategy. Slumberland is a dominant advertiser and we strive to be #1 in top-of-mind-awareness for home furnishings. Another important element of our marketing philosophy is the value-added approach. We were one the first retailers to offer an extended comfort guarantee on mattresses, one part of our Mattress Plus program which includes: *60 night 100% comfort guarantee *Mattress removal option with delivery of a new set *Guaranteed low price: we won't be undersold! We are always seeking new ways to provide value to the customer to make Slumberland the store of choice in every market. Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media
    Operations Absentee Ownership Allowed

    Number of Employees Required to Run: 10

    		0% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 9

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Slumberland Franchise
    DOTI Design Stores Franchise
    US Expansion No-
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoNo

    Company Overviews

    About Slumberland

    Slumberland is a privately held company with 50 years experience in the furniture industry, and over 40 years of franchising experience. Since first opening as a mattress specialty shop in 1967, we have expanded our product mix and grown to 53 corporate and 74 franchise stores across 12 states. We enjoy a strong brand position in the US furniture industry with unbroken consecutive years of growth. Slumberland holds the largest combined market in share in the Central and Midwest United States and is the region’s premier home furnishing retailer.

    Seeking new franchise units in the following states:

    Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Wyoming   


    "Entrepreneur
    #309 in Franchise 500 for 2020.

    About DOTI Design Stores

    When Jim and Michele Evanger purchased Barrington, Illinois-based Designs of the Interior (DOTI) in 1993, they had big plans for expanding their new company. The couple added two locations by 1997 and started franchising in 1998. DOTI has recently shifted its franchise concept from that of a small design studio to a larger design store.

    DOTI's stores average 5,000 square feet in size and provide everything from upholstered furniture and rugs to accessories, lighting and window treatments. The company offers both single-store and multistore development programs.

    DOTI has reached agreements with various manufacturers to develop its own private-label line of furniture. Franchisees that take advantage of the program can then sell merchandise reflecting the DOTI brand to their customers.