DirectBuy vs UNIGLOBE Travel USA Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of DirectBuy vs UNIGLOBE Travel USA including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
DirectBuy Franchise
UNIGLOBE Travel USA Franchise
Investment $359,000 - $904,000$45,000 - $65,000
Franchise Fee $75,000$19,000
Royalty Fee 22%-
Advertising Fee 3%-
Year Founded 19711979
Year Franchised 19721980
Term Of Agreement 12 years-
Term Of Agreement 12 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
DirectBuy Franchise
UNIGLOBE Travel USA Franchise
Experience
  • Marketing skills
  • Success as a franchisee depends in large part on the right personality match for the opportunity. The UNIGLOBE Travel business format is well-suited for individuals with sales, account servicing or account management expertise - however we have had successful franchise owners from all walks of life.

    Financing Options

     
    DirectBuy Franchise
    UNIGLOBE Travel USA Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees Yes/Yes-/-
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
    Equipment No/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/No-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support

     
    DirectBuy Franchise
    UNIGLOBE Travel USA Franchise
    Training At regional meetingsUNIGLOBE provides its franchisees with continuous professional training programs dealing with sales, customer service, marketing, and operations.
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Internet, Field operations/evaluationsExperienced and knowledgeable UNIGLOBE staff provide continuous professional support and ongoing evaluation in business management, sales development, strategic and financial planning, customer service and supplier relations.
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National mediaUNIGLOBE franchisees profit from high consumer recognition of the UNIGLOBE brand name and the public's perception of UNIGLOBE as a professional and reliable organization. This image is reinforced through advertising, local promotions, public relations, and direct sales programs.
    Operations 1% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 9 - 12

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

    You will NOT have to learn to be a travel agent. You will be building a "sales" organization. As a B2B franchise where your operating costs will be very low� no expensive retail space� no retail build out. There is no inventory to purchase or manage and you will be operating during regular business hours(9-5).

    Expansion Plans

     
    DirectBuy Franchise
    UNIGLOBE Travel USA Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    Company Overviews

    About DirectBuy

    James L. Gagan founded UCC TotalHome in 1971 and began franchising the following year. Based in Merrillville, Indiana, the private company has over 90 locations throughout North America. DirectBuy began with a vision. It was a vision of liberating consumers from the high cost of retail buying; of allowing consumers to buy goods for their homes at manufacturer direct prices plus freight, handling and sales tax; of restoring to families the opportunity to buy the things they need and want at prices they could afford. That was over three decades ago. Today, the vision has materialized into an exceptional opportunity for DirectBuy franchise owners. We provide a proven, replicable system that allows them to realize the results and rewards of their business quickly. DirectBuy is the largest, most successful business of its kind in North America. For homeowners, remodelers and families in general, our centers are a very significant channel of alternative purchasing in North America.

    About UNIGLOBE Travel USA

    If you are reading this: You may be a competitor looking to find out what the industry leader is up to. Or You may be the right person to discover fun, freedom, belonging and power as a UNIGLOBE Corporate Travel Franchisee. THIS IS A DIFFERENT KIND OF TRAVEL AGENCY This is an agency focused on business travel. A B2B business that collaborates with business owners, decision makers, administrators and travelers to establish and implement policies focused on value and control. WHY Over $100 Billion is spent annually on business travel in the USA. For most companies it is their third largest expense (after payroll and overhead). And while the internet may have captured a large part of the retail travel business, corporations have continued to award their travel accounts to industry professionals who deliver quality travel management. And unlike selling vacations and cruises where each sale is made individually and can take a long time before you realize any income, with a corporate account one sale represents multiple purchases that start immediately and in most cases continue for years. AND THE BEAUTY IS You do not have to learn to be a travel agent. You will make effective sales calls and presentations that gain and keep a company's commitment to use your agency. You offer a personal and/or online service. Whatever best fulfils the corporate customer needs. You earn from both. You use proven systems and methods. We have been doing this for 30 years and will provide you with complete materials, training and support. There is no high cost build out or retail space. You are building a proactive sales organization that doesn't rely on "walk in" customers. Start with shared office space at a fraction of the cost of a retail storefront. There is no inventory to purchase and manage. It is a true service business format. You operate during regular business hours. Your customers are corporations that operate 9 to 5, Monday through Friday. For off hours and emergencies you have 24/7 coverage from our help line. Make an Informed Business Decision We use a multi step process to make sure you get all the information you need to make a fully informed business decision. It starts with your initial inquiry that you can make by clicking on our website link and Apply or request a Franchise Kit.