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Updated RecentlyDOTI Design Stores vs Furniture Medic Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of DOTI Design Stores vs Furniture Medic including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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| Investment | $290,000 - $398,000 | $80,799 - $90,136 |
| Franchise Fee | $37,500 | $33,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 6% | 7% |
| Advertising Fee | - | 2% |
| Year Founded | 1983 | 1992 |
| Year Franchised | 1999 | 1992 |
| Term Of Agreement | 5 years | 5 years |
| Term Of Agreement | 5 years | 5 years |
| Renewal Fee | - | - |
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/No | Yes/No |
| Start-up Costs | No/Yes | Yes/No |
| Equipment | No/No | Yes/No |
| Inventory | No/Yes | Yes/No |
| Receivables | No/No | No/No |
| Payroll | No/No | No/No |
Training & Support |
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| 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 cooperatives | Purchasing 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 | Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media Website development |
| Operations |
0% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 9 Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% 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 |
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| US Expansion | - | Yes |
| Canada Expansion | No | No |
| International Expansion | No | Yes |
Company Overviews
About DOTI Design Stores
When Jim and Michele Evanger purchased Barrington, Illinois-based Designs of the Interior (DOTI) in 1993, they had big plans for expanding their new company. The couple added two locations by 1997 and started franchising in 1998. DOTI has recently shifted its franchise concept from that of a small design studio to a larger design store.
DOTI's stores average 5,000 square feet in size and provide everything from upholstered furniture and rugs to accessories, lighting and window treatments. The company offers both single-store and multistore development programs.
DOTI has reached agreements with various manufacturers to develop its own private-label line of furniture. Franchisees that take advantage of the program can then sell merchandise reflecting the DOTI brand to their customers.
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
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