Apricot Lane vs Decor & You Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Apricot Lane vs Decor & You including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Apricot Lane Franchise
Decor & You Franchise
Investment $137,150 - $361,800$56,000 - $225,000
Franchise Fee $39,500$25,000
Royalty Fee 5.5%10%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19911994
Year Franchised 20041998
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee -10% of franchise fee


Business Experience Requirements
 
Apricot Lane Franchise
Decor & You Franchise
Experience -
  • Marketing skills preferred but not required; interest in decorating
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Apricot Lane Franchise
    Decor & You Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/No
    Equipment No/NoNo/No
    Inventory No/NoNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Apricot Lane Franchise
    Decor & You Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesMeetings, Grand opening, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing -Ad slicks, Regional advertising
    Operations

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 5 - 5

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

    		 Franchise can be run from home.

    50% of all franchisees own more than one unit

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

    Expansion Plans
     
    Apricot Lane Franchise
    Decor & You Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoNo

    Company Overviews

    About Apricot Lane

    Our Apricot Lane specialty retail stores are part of a Country Visions retail franchise system that specializes in unique gifts, fashion accessories and home decor products. When you join the Country Visions franchise system, you will benefit from one of the most advanced operational systems in the nation. You will gain access to extensive networking resources, including preferred national vendors who offer our stores volume discounts and exclusive products; marketing support from our in-house advertising; state-of-the-art point of sale, inventory management and computer support systems; and national franchise conventions for direct franchise networking and training. You will also be trained by our professional staff at our Country Visions University in visual merchandising, pricing strategies, customer service, marketing and computer systems, as well as employee motivation and development.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of your first COUNTRY VISIONS store is $137,150 to $361,800 for a start-up store. This includes $37,500 to $49,300 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of your second and each subsequent COUNTRY VISIONS store is $112,650 to $337,300 for a start-up store. This includes $18,000 to $24,800 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate.

    About Decor & You

    As a DecorDesigner, you will help home owners and small business owners create magnificently decorated spaces that are not only beautiful, but functional. The highest compliment our decorators receive is the exclamation "I love it and I couldn't have done it without you!"

    We all dream of an elegantly decorated space, one that reflects our personality and lifestyle. Since Decor&You decorators use their creative talent and business know-how to help individuals with a little bit of targeted support, or directing a full home redecorating project. Working with a decorating professional that offers services from color plans to total home redecoration helps clients avoid costly mistakes and frees them up from time consuming details.

    At Decor&You, we help our clients Love the Space They're In!

    Decor &You franchisees work with owners and renters of homes and condominiums, using furnishings, carpets, wall and window coverings and other elements to change the looks of kitchens, bedrooms, offices and more.