Apricot Lane vs Furniture Medic Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Apricot Lane Franchise
Furniture Medic Franchise
Investment $137,150 - $361,800$80,799 - $90,136
Franchise Fee $39,500$33,000
Royalty Fee 5.5%7%
Advertising Fee -2%
Year Founded 19911992
Year Franchised 20041992
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Apricot Lane Franchise
Furniture Medic Franchise
Experience -
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Apricot Lane Franchise
    Furniture Medic Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoYes/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoYes/No
    Equipment No/NoYes/No
    Inventory No/NoYes/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Apricot Lane Franchise
    Furniture Medic Franchise
    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 cooperativesPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing -Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media Website development
    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.

    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
     
    Apricot Lane Franchise
    Furniture Medic Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    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 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

    "Entrepreneur
    #367 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #346 in Franchise 500 for 2021.