Educational Outfitters vs Mainstream Boutique Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Educational Outfitters vs Mainstream Boutique including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Educational Outfitters Franchise
Mainstream Boutique Franchise
Investment $82,600 - $198,150$160,800 - $306,350
Franchise Fee $29,500$40,000
Royalty Fee 5%7.5%
Advertising Fee 3%0.5%
Year Founded 19981991
Year Franchised 20011998
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Educational Outfitters Franchise
Mainstream Boutique Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Educational Outfitters Franchise
    Mainstream Boutique Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/No-/Yes
    Equipment No/No-/Yes
    Inventory No/No-/Yes
    Receivables No/No-/Yes
    Payroll No/No-/Yes

    Training & Support

     
    Educational Outfitters Franchise
    Mainstream Boutique Franchise
    Training -

    Initial training course at our corporate office in Apple Valley, Minnesota. The course includes classroom instruction and on-the-job training to learn basic operating skills, such as booking and conducting shows, inventory purchase and control, merchandising, customer service, customer relations, basic computer set-up and operations, selling and marketing techniques, financial reporting and much, much more. On-The-Job Training: 50+ hours Classroom Training: 26+ hours Additional Training: Ongoing training as needed

    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives

    You'll receive a copy of the Confidential Operations Manual that covers policies and procedures involved in running your business. You'll also receive periodic visits from a Mainstream Boutique representative who will provide experienced guidance along the way. And, of course, we are only a phone call away to answer your day-to-day questions. Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform

    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2

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

    Absentee Ownership Allowed

    Expansion Plans

     
    Educational Outfitters Franchise
    Mainstream Boutique Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion No-

    Company Overviews

    About Educational Outfitters

    Chattanooga, Tennessee-based Educational Outfitters was founded by Jamey and Brian Elrod in 1998 to make school uniform shopping more convenient for parents. The company sells tops, bottoms, jackets and accessories for public and private elementary, junior high and high school students.Educational Outfitters is the first franchise opportunity that offers retail stores-selling school uniforms and dress code apparel. Our customers are parents of students enrolled in Kindergarten through 12th grade at private, parochial, Christian and public schools. This is a huge and growing market. Not only are enrollments at private secular and religious schools growing, but also an increasing number of public schools are turning to uniforms and dress codes as a means of improving scholastic achievement, conduct, safety and self-esteem.

    We are committed to our customers and our franchise owners, and this culminates in our stated two-fold company purpose: "To seek, serve, and honor God as a business, and to have a multiplying impact on the lives our business touches."

    For our customers, we work to provide superior products, service, value, and convenience. For our franchise system, we deploy our proven concept, systems, and best efforts to help our owners succeed in their local markets.

    About Mainstream Boutique

    Mainstream Boutique is an exciting retail and fashion franchise concept that sells some of the fashion world's most unique clothing, accessories and giftware at franchise-owned retail stores, and a variety of direct sales venues such as home parties and corporate sponsored events. Our clientele is all ages, all sizes and always on the lookout for something out of the ordinary at affordable prices. Our franchisees are savvy, sales-oriented, and love working with people. Whether you are looking for the perfect outfit, or the perfect business opportunity, Mainstream Boutique might be for you! Mainstream Fashions is a company dedicated to helping women look and feel great in fun, unique fashions. We are also dedicated to helping our franchisees be successful and profitable.

    Veteran Incentives  10% off franchise fee

    "Entrepreneur
    #405 in Franchise 500 for 2020.