|
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Stork News of America vs Around Town Community Magazine including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
||
Investment | $11,530 - $75,700 | $37,600 - $54,800 |
Franchise Fee | $8,000 - $13,000 | $25,000 |
Royalty Fee | $800-1.2K/yr. | 5% |
Advertising Fee | - | - |
Year Founded | 1983 | 1996 |
Year Franchised | 1984 | 2003 |
Term Of Agreement | 1 year | 5 years |
Term Of Agreement | 1 year | 5 years |
Renewal Fee | - | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
||
Experience | - | |
Financing Options |
||
In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
Franchise Fees | No/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 |
||
Training | Available at franchisee's location | - |
Support | Newsletter, Toll-free phone line, Internet | Meetings, Internet, Field operations/evaluations |
Marketing | Co-op advertising | - |
Operations |
Franchise can be run from home. 0% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1 - 2
Absentee ownership of franchise is 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 |
||
US Expansion | - | Yes |
Canada Expansion | No | No |
International Expansion | Yes | No |
Stork News of America Inc. was founded in 1983 and began franchising in 1984. It has more than 135 locations in the United States and Canada. Stork News has an arrangement with Babies 'R' Us that places Stork News displays in all Babies 'R' Us units that are located in an area where a Stork News franchisee is present, thus offering franchisees automatic advertising. Stork News of America is based in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
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.