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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Around Town Community Magazine vs Talking Book World including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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Investment | $37,600 - $54,800 | $150,000 - $225,000 |
Franchise Fee | $25,000 | $25,000 |
Royalty Fee | 5% | 5% |
Advertising Fee | - | 2% |
Year Founded | 1996 | 1993 |
Year Franchised | 2003 | 1995 |
Term Of Agreement | 5 years | 15 years +5 |
Term Of Agreement | 5 years | 15 years +5 |
Renewal Fee | - | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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Experience | - | - |
Financing Options |
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In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
Franchise Fees | No/No | -/- |
Start-up Costs | No/No | -/- |
Equipment | No/No | -/- |
Inventory | No/No | -/- |
Receivables | No/No | -/- |
Payroll | No/No | -/- |
Training & Support |
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Training | - | Franchisee's Store 2 Weeks |
Support | Meetings, Internet, Field operations/evaluations | Field Operation Evaluation Field Training Initial Store Opening Inventory Control Franchisee Newsletter Regional or National Meetings 800 Telephone Hotline |
Marketing | - | - |
Operations |
Franchise can be run from home. 100% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2 Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) | Average Number of Employees: 1 Full-time, 2 Part-time Passive Ownership: Allowed, But Discouraged |
Expansion Plans |
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US Expansion | Yes | Yes |
Canada Expansion | No | Yes |
International Expansion | No | - |
Around Town Community Magazine, Inc. ("Around Town") began franchise operations in September 2002 in Woodstock, Georgia. Around Town franchises niche community magazines, each has a goal of "strengthening communities."Around Town was founded by Gina Carr and Don Kyle. Gina has a BA from Georgia Tech in Industrial Engineering and an MBA from Harvard. Don has a BS in Accounting from Florida State University and also is a CPA. Together they started The TowneLaker magazine in June 1996 and Sixes Living magazine in June 2000. After many years of practice, they decided to franchise the niche community magazine concept through Around Town Community Magazine, Inc.
TALKING BOOK WORLD is the world's largest retail chain of audiobook stores, with the widest selection of audiobooks to rent or buy anywhere. Pioneers of the concept of renting audiobooks, TBW makes audiobooks accessible and affordable - with innovative programs that give unlimited use of our library and with no due dates.