The Closet Factory vs Grout Doctor Global Franchise Corp. Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
The Closet Factory Franchise
Grout Doctor Global Franchise Corp. Franchise
Investment $208,500 - $356,000$20,435 - $33,445
Franchise Fee $46,500$12,000 - $16,000
Royalty Fee 5.75%9%-6%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19831994
Year Franchised 19862001
Term Of Agreement 5 years7 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years7 years
Renewal Fee $7K$500


Business Experience Requirements

 
The Closet Factory Franchise
Grout Doctor Global Franchise Corp. Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • People skills
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    The Closet Factory Franchise
    Grout Doctor Global Franchise Corp. 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
    Grout Doctor Global Franchise Corp. Franchise
    Training -On-The-Job Training: 45 hours Classroom Training: 15 hours Additional Training: In Chicago
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingAd Templates Social media SEO 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

    *15% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    *Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (99% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    The Closet Factory Franchise
    Grout Doctor Global Franchise Corp. 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 Grout Doctor Global Franchise Corp.

    After more then a decade of operation, The Grout Doctor is firmly established and is the only company in the industry to be ranked in Entrepreneur Magazine's 2010 TOP 500 FRANCHISES! Ceramic tile and stone sales continue to increase rapidly, indicating a huge demand for the aftermarket care of the grout, tile and stone. With the most respected and recognized name in the business, 
    Grout Doctor franchisees are ideally suited to fulfill high consumer demand in this multi-million dollar industry! Franchisees specialize in residential and commercial grout and tile maintenance. The Grout Doctor offers tile regrouting, grout cleaning and sealing, grout and tile repair, and grout staining, a process in which existing grout is colored rather than replaced.

    Veteran Incentives  50% off franchise fee