Wheelchair Getaways vs Affiliated Car Rental Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Wheelchair Getaways vs Affiliated Car Rental including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Wheelchair Getaways Franchise
Affiliated Car Rental Franchise
Investment $40,000 - $112,000$46,500 - $72,000
Franchise Fee $17,500$5,000 - $11,600
Royalty Fee $550/van/yr.Varies
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19881987
Year Franchised 19891987
Term Of Agreement 10 yearsPerpetual
Term Of Agreement 10 yearsPerpetual
Renewal Fee $5K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Wheelchair Getaways Franchise
Affiliated Car Rental Franchise
Experience -
  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    Wheelchair Getaways Franchise
    Affiliated Car Rental Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoYes/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/No
    Equipment No/NoNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Wheelchair Getaways Franchise
    Affiliated Car Rental Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingCo-op advertising, Ad slicks
    Operations Franchise can be run from home.

    25% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    5% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2 - 3

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


    Expansion Plans

     
    Wheelchair Getaways Franchise
    Affiliated Car Rental Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About Wheelchair Getaways

    In 1921 the Pennsylvania-based Van Artsdalen Express was a successful freight company. By 1972, it had been restructured to operate school buses instead of trucks. While working for the company, J. Edward Van Artsdalen noticed that people using wheelchairs were some of the most poorly served individuals in the transportation market. Motivated by this discovery, Van Artsdalen founded Wheelchair Getaways Inc. in 1988. The company rents wheelchair-accessible vans to individuals and groups. The company began franchising in 1989 and was purchased by J. Stewart and Jean Gatewood in 1994. Wheelchair Getaways is now based in Versailles, Kentucky and owned by Richard Gatewood and Moon Ko.

    About Affiliated Car Rental

    Based in Eatontown, New Jersey, Affiliated Car Rental locations rent cars, trucks, mini vans, luxury and 4x4 vehicles. Certain centers also rent moving trucks and offer towing services.