Steam Brothers vs Dry-B-Lo Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Steam Brothers vs Dry-B-Lo including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Steam Brothers Franchise
Dry-B-Lo Franchise
Investment $22,000 - $53,500$65,700 - $147,500
Franchise Fee $16,000$15,000 - $25,000
Royalty Fee 5-6.5%7.5%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19771993
Year Franchised 19841997
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 years
Renewal Fee $1K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Steam Brothers Franchise
Dry-B-Lo Franchise
Experience -
  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    Steam Brothers Franchise
    Dry-B-Lo Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/No
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Steam Brothers Franchise
    Dry-B-Lo Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Ad slicksCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising
    Operations Franchise can be run from home.

    2% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1 - 3

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

    Franchise can be run from home.

    21% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 4 - 5

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


    Expansion Plans

     
    Steam Brothers Franchise
    Dry-B-Lo Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoNo

    Company Overviews

    About Steam Brothers

    After 16 years in the supermarket business, Adam Leier was looking for a way to go into business for himself. He purchased Steam Brothers, an existing cleaning business, in 1977 and began franchising in 1984. Steam Brothers has locations throughout the Midwest and is based in Bismarck, North Dakota.

    About Dry-B-Lo

    Grant Moore's family had spent a lot of time and money building a deck and pouring concrete underneath it, but the area below was useless whenever it rained because water poured in. Moore knew there must be a way to keep the space below the deck dry. After working with an engineering firm for two years, Moore developed a drainage system that would not leak or collect debris. He filed patents and in 1993 founded Dry-B-Lo International Inc. to install his patented system of channels. This system, which is installed below a raised deck, helps convert a wet, unusable space into a dry, outdoor living space.