Apricot Lane vs Decorating Den Interiors Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Apricot Lane Franchise
Decorating Den Interiors Franchise
Investment $137,150 - $361,800$52,580 - $70,355
Franchise Fee $39,500$39,900
Royalty Fee 5.5%7-9%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19911969
Year Franchised 20041970
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Apricot Lane Franchise
Decorating Den Interiors Franchise
Experience -
  • Decorating skills; people skills
    		•

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

    Training & Support
     
    Apricot Lane Franchise
    Decorating Den Interiors Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing -Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, 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.

    1% 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
    Decorating Den Interiors 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 Decorating Den Interiors

    In 1969 Steve Bursten started Interiors by Decorating Den to offer interior decorating services to working couples and individuals who didn't have the time to shop for home d'r themselves. Today franchisees work out of custom-designed vans, bringing drapery, furniture, carpet and wall covering samples to the customer's home or office. There the franchisee helps the customer select everything from window treatments to furniture to artwork.

    All franchisees go through 80 hours of initial training at Decorating Den Lifestyle University. That is followed up by six months of classroom work, home study, meetings, seminars and on-the-job training that may include working with an experienced decorator.