Steam Brothers vs Ready Decks Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Steam Brothers Franchise
Ready Decks Franchise
Investment $22,000 - $53,500$144,000 - $213,000
Franchise Fee $16,000$29,000
Royalty Fee 5-6.5%5%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19772001
Year Franchised 19842005
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee $1K$14500


Business Experience Requirements

 
Steam Brothers Franchise
Ready Decks Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

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

Training & Support

 
Steam Brothers Franchise
Ready Decks Franchise
Training -* Available at headquarters: 2 weeks

* At franchisee's location: 1 week

Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations-
Marketing Ad slicks-
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

* Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2

* Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed.


Expansion Plans

 
Steam Brothers Franchise
Ready Decks Franchise
US Expansion YesYes
Canada Expansion No-
International Expansion No-

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 Ready Decks

Ready Decks has developed an innovative approach to one of the largest segments of the home improvement market - home decking. The tools, construction process and equipment invented by Ready Decks, when used by  trained, professional teams of installers, enable most projects to be completed in a single day. Other traditional contractors and builders may take much longer. Relatively low start-up costs is just one key ingredient that makes Ready Decks an excellent franchise concept and opportunity.