The Closet Factory vs Furniture Medic Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
The Closet Factory Franchise
Furniture Medic Franchise
Investment $208,500 - $356,000$80,799 - $90,136
Franchise Fee $46,500$33,000
Royalty Fee 5.75%7%
Advertising Fee -2%
Year Founded 19831992
Year Franchised 19861992
Term Of Agreement 5 years5 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years5 years
Renewal Fee $7K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
The Closet Factory Franchise
Furniture Medic Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • People skills

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • Financing Options

     
    The Closet Factory Franchise
    Furniture Medic Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoYes/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesYes/No
    Equipment No/YesYes/No
    Inventory No/YesYes/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    The Closet Factory Franchise
    Furniture Medic Franchise
    Training - On-The-Job Training: 97-101 hours Classroom Training: 61 hours Additional Training: Home study/mentor program
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media Website development
    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)

    Franchise can be run from home.

    International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 40% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1

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


    Expansion Plans

     
    The Closet Factory Franchise
    Furniture Medic Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    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 Furniture Medic

    Joseph Lunsford wasn't looking to start a business when he moved into a new home and realized that several pieces of his furniture had been damaged in transit, but start one he did. He founded Furniture Medic in 1992 in response to his dissatisfaction with the long turnaround time that was common with most refurnishing shops. In 1996 Furniture Medic was acquired by ServiceMaster and has since grown to more than 600 locations throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.

    Veteran Incentives  20% off franchise fee

    "Entrepreneur
    #367 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #346 in Franchise 500 for 2021.