The Closet Factory vs Granite America Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
The Closet Factory Franchise
Granite America Franchise
Investment $208,500 - $356,000$32,250 - $576,200
Franchise Fee $46,500$12,500 - $40,000
Royalty Fee 5.75%-
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19831999
Year Franchised 19862012
Term Of Agreement 5 years-
Term Of Agreement 5 years-
Renewal Fee $7K-


Business Experience Requirements
 
The Closet Factory Franchise
Granite America Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • People skills
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    The Closet Factory Franchise
    Granite America Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/-
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
    Equipment No/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/Yes-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support
     
    The Closet Factory Franchise
    Granite America Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives-
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, 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)

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    The Closet Factory Franchise
    Granite America Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    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 Granite America

    "Granite

    The franchise offered is for the operation of either a granite and stone countertop sales and installation shop that orders slabs as needed, fabricates them and performs installations (“Express Model”), a granite and stone countertop sales, fabrication and installation shop that has an inventory of slabs onsite (“Standard Model”) or a granite and stone countertop sales, fabrication and installation shop that has an inventory of slabs onsite and uses digital technology and automation to fabricate slabs (“Digital Model”) for home improvement and construction projects. Besides opening as a new business (“Startup Franchise”) there is also an option to convert an existing granite, marble or solid surface shop into either an Express, Standard or Digital Model (“Conversion Franchise”). These are service oriented businesses that offers a wide selection of imported granite and stone slabs that are customized into countertops while incorporating an efficient and simplistic approach to production and daily operations, under the name “Granite America®”. 
    When you became a franchise of a Granite America®, you will offer unique products that are superior and NOT available in the marketplace. In other words, you won’t find our products anywhere else! As a Granite America® franchise you are a one- stop solution for sales, fabrication and installation. Not only will you be able to transform residential homes, you will also meet the demand for commercial businesses such as: restaurants, hotels, retail stores, casinos and MORE!
    We have several markets available across the United States so don’t wait!
    Startup Franchise; for a Standard Model, the Initial Franchise Fee is $12,500 for a Conversion Franchise or $25,000 for a Startup Franchise; for a Digital Model, the Initial Franchise Fee is $25,000 for a Conversion Franchise or $40,000 for a Startup Franchise with protected rights to operate in a specific area defined by the franchisor. Additional franchises will be available for $10,000 for an Express Model or $15,000 for either a Standard Model or Digital Model per franchise.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Granite America® Express Model ranges from $32,250 to $116,000 for a Conversion Franchise or from $162,850 to $270,450 for a Startup Franchise; for a Standard Model from $66,950 to $180,200 for a Conversion Franchise or from $327,650 to $576,200 for a Startup Franchise; and for a Digital Model from $742,300 to $969,100 for a Conversion Franchise or from $1,121,000 to $1,463,100 for a Startup Franchise which will depend on a number of factors that are fully discussed in Item 7 and includes the Initial Franchise Fee that must be paid to the Franchisor.