Around Town Community Magazine vs Talking Book World Franchise Comparison

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

 
Around Town Community Magazine Franchise
Talking Book World Franchise
Investment $37,600 - $54,800$150,000 - $225,000
Franchise Fee $25,000$25,000
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee -2%
Year Founded 19961993
Year Franchised 20031995
Term Of Agreement 5 years15 years +5
Term Of Agreement 5 years15 years +5
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Around Town Community Magazine Franchise
Talking Book World Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
Around Town Community Magazine Franchise
Talking Book World Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-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

 
Around Town Community Magazine Franchise
Talking Book World Franchise
Training -Franchisee's Store 2 Weeks
Support Meetings, Internet, Field operations/evaluationsField 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

 
Around Town Community Magazine Franchise
Talking Book World Franchise
US Expansion YesYes
Canada Expansion NoYes
International Expansion No-

Company Overviews

About Around Town Community Magazine

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.

About Talking Book World

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.