The Closet Factory vs California Closet Company Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of The Closet Factory vs California Closet Company including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
The Closet Factory Franchise
California Closet Company Franchise
Investment $208,500 - $356,000$127,500 - $377,000
Franchise Fee $46,500$40,000
Royalty Fee 5.75%6%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19831978
Year Franchised 19861982
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years10 years
Renewal Fee $7K50% of franchise fee


Business Experience Requirements

 
The Closet Factory Franchise
California Closet Company Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • People skills

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • Financing Options

     
    The Closet Factory Franchise
    California Closet Company Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/No
    Equipment No/YesNo/No
    Inventory No/YesNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    The Closet Factory Franchise
    California Closet Company Franchise
    Training -On-site operational instruction Training for designer, installation, and production staff Proprietary technology for sales, design, and operational systems management
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesMedia planning Local and national advertising collateral Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingCo-op advertising, National media, Regional advertising
    Operations International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 30% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 8 - 10

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed.


    Expansion Plans

     
    The Closet Factory Franchise
    California Closet Company Franchise
    US Expansion --
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About The Closet Factory

    John LaBarbera founded The Closet Factory in a small industrial space in Los Angeles in 1983. The company started out with six employees customizing closets, offices, garages and pantries, and now has more than 100 employees at its Los Angeles headquarters. There are also 11 other factories around the world.

    The Closet Factory works with homeowners, contractors and interior decorators, installing closets, entertainment centers, pantries and shelves for offices and garages.

    You are unique and so are your needs. No one knows that better than The Closet Factory. When it comes to creating custom solutions that are imaginative, well organized and satisfy your design sensibilities, The Closet Factory believes the process must begin with a partnership between you and one of our designers.

    About California Closet Company

    Customized storage has grown from a small business into a major industry. Leading the field is California Closets, the franchise company that pioneered custom storage solutions in 1978. California Closets is the most well-known brand in the industry.
    The Industry Pioneer and Brand Leader
     Join the Company that pioneered the custom storage solutions industry. For over 40 years, California Closets has delighted its customers - by listening to their needs and creating individually designed solutions that work specifically for their lifestyles and home. Today, California Closets is the largest custom storage franchised system in the world, with over 100 franchises worldwide; it is the most recognized brand in its category. A California Closets franchise offers expert services in creating innovative home design solutions; ranging from its signature custom designed closets, home offices, entertainment rooms, utility rooms, garages and much more. We see home as more than a place. We see it as comfort and refuge, space for connection and celebration. Everything we do is designed to enhance home and help you enjoy the time you spend there. 30 years ago, we innovated a new industry - custom designed and installed storage. Today we're proud to be recognized as the leaders in the industry we first created all those years ago. Along the way we've continued to innovate, always striving to provide customers with stylish, smart and sustainable solutions for every home.