Steam Brothers vs Granite America Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Steam Brothers Franchise
Granite America Franchise
Investment $22,000 - $53,500$32,250 - $576,200
Franchise Fee $16,000$12,500 - $40,000
Royalty Fee 5-6.5%-
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19771999
Year Franchised 19842012
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee $1K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Steam Brothers Franchise
Granite America Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
Steam Brothers Franchise
Granite America Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees No/No-/-
Start-up Costs No/No-/-
Equipment No/Yes-/-
Inventory No/No-/-
Receivables No/No-/-
Payroll No/No-/-

Training & Support

 
Steam Brothers Franchise
Granite America Franchise
Training --
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)

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Expansion Plans

 
Steam Brothers Franchise
Granite America 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 Granite America

"Granite

The franchise offered is for the operation of either a granite and stone countertop sales and installation shop that orders slabs as needed, fabricates them and performs installations (“Express Model”), a granite and stone countertop sales, fabrication and installation shop that has an inventory of slabs onsite (“Standard Model”) or a granite and stone countertop sales, fabrication and installation shop that has an inventory of slabs onsite and uses digital technology and automation to fabricate slabs (“Digital Model”) for home improvement and construction projects. Besides opening as a new business (“Startup Franchise”) there is also an option to convert an existing granite, marble or solid surface shop into either an Express, Standard or Digital Model (“Conversion Franchise”). These are service oriented businesses that offers a wide selection of imported granite and stone slabs that are customized into countertops while incorporating an efficient and simplistic approach to production and daily operations, under the name “Granite America®”. 
When you became a franchise of a Granite America®, you will offer unique products that are superior and NOT available in the marketplace. In other words, you won’t find our products anywhere else! As a Granite America® franchise you are a one- stop solution for sales, fabrication and installation. Not only will you be able to transform residential homes, you will also meet the demand for commercial businesses such as: restaurants, hotels, retail stores, casinos and MORE!
We have several markets available across the United States so don’t wait!
Startup Franchise; for a Standard Model, the Initial Franchise Fee is $12,500 for a Conversion Franchise or $25,000 for a Startup Franchise; for a Digital Model, the Initial Franchise Fee is $25,000 for a Conversion Franchise or $40,000 for a Startup Franchise with protected rights to operate in a specific area defined by the franchisor. Additional franchises will be available for $10,000 for an Express Model or $15,000 for either a Standard Model or Digital Model per franchise.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Granite America® Express Model ranges from $32,250 to $116,000 for a Conversion Franchise or from $162,850 to $270,450 for a Startup Franchise; for a Standard Model from $66,950 to $180,200 for a Conversion Franchise or from $327,650 to $576,200 for a Startup Franchise; and for a Digital Model from $742,300 to $969,100 for a Conversion Franchise or from $1,121,000 to $1,463,100 for a Startup Franchise which will depend on a number of factors that are fully discussed in Item 7 and includes the Initial Franchise Fee that must be paid to the Franchisor.