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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Stone Mountain-GCO Flooring Outlet vs Blind Shack including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees | 
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| Investment | $289,500 - $409,500 | $19,500 | 
| Franchise Fee | $27,500 | N/A | 
| Royalty Fee | 1.5-2.5% | - | 
| Advertising Fee | - | - | 
| Year Founded | 1988 | - | 
| Year Franchised | 1993 | - | 
| Term Of Agreement | 5 years | - | 
| Term Of Agreement | 5 years | - | 
| Renewal Fee | $2.5K | - | 
 Business Experience Requirements | 
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| Experience | - | - | 
Financing Options | 
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| In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
| Franchise Fees | No/Yes | -/- | 
| Start-up Costs | No/Yes | -/- | 
| Equipment | No/Yes | -/- | 
| Inventory | No/Yes | -/- | 
| Receivables | No/No | -/- | 
| Payroll | No/No | -/- | 
Training & Support | 
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| Training | - | - | 
| Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Purchasing cooperatives | - | 
| Marketing | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks | - | 
| Operations | 
	
	   32% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 5 Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (70% of current franchisees are owner/operators)  | - | 
Expansion Plans | 
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| US Expansion | - | - | 
| Canada Expansion | No | - | 
| International Expansion | No | - |