DirectBuy vs House of Colour Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
DirectBuy Franchise
House of Colour Franchise
Investment $359,000 - $904,000$18,345 - $33,250
Franchise Fee $75,000$16,000
Royalty Fee 22%0
Advertising Fee 3%-
Year Founded 1971-
Year Franchised 1972-
Term Of Agreement 12 years-
Term Of Agreement 12 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
DirectBuy Franchise
House of Colour Franchise
Experience
  • Marketing skills
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    DirectBuy Franchise
    House of Colour 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
    House of Colour Franchise
    Training At regional meetings-
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Internet, Field operations/evaluationsWe provide ongoing support both locally and from Head Office through formal ongoing training opportunities and informal mentoring.
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media-
    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)

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    DirectBuy Franchise
    House of Colour Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion YesYes

    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 House of Colour

    Your Rewards - Image Consultant Training Welcome to House of Colour now in our 26th Year. Firstly may we emphasise the enormous potential for material and personal growth, in the exciting and expanding field of Colour Analysis and Image Consultancy. The House of Colour Franchise is a "Business Format Franchise" which gives you the benefit of owning your own business under the "umbrella" of a major name. This enables you to start with all the know-how and expertise of the main company House of Colour and puts you more than one step ahead of anyone else. Please remember, we are looking for Consultants who want to be true Professionals. We are neither party-plan, multi-level nor are we an "anything goes" company. The benefits of becoming an Image Consultant Franchisee with House of Colour include: Flexible working hours to fit around your lifestyle and family - Whether you want a change of career, a full time opportunity that enables you to make a real difference to people's lives or a new part time challenge, the flexibility of a House of Colour Franchise offers you the opportunity to generate a healthy income. We offer you a low cost start-up programme which enables you to start in your home or take a small shop, work in a beauty salon/health club or in a large department store.
    Financial Reward - House of Colour Consultants are trained to work smart and build a business that delivers considerable financial rewards. Clients follow a full programme of classes you are trained to offer and return again and again for a lifetime of our high quality products providing you with repeat business that builds value into your business should you wish to sell at some time in the future. There is also the opportunity to build your business by taking on others to sub contract to you as your consultancy grows. There are no ongoing royalties to pay! Extensive training and on-going company support - We pride ourselves on giving the most comprehensive and substantial training on this subject, covering the history, background and theory on which the whole concept is based. Some questions to consider: "Can you expect to make a serious and competent career change with less than two weeks training?" "Would you choose to pay to have your colours done by someone who had only 3 or 4 days training?" "Are you prepared to take responsibility for changing someone's life with less than the best training on offer?" The Image Consultant training programme itself is the most comprehensive package available in the United Kingdom and to prove it House of Colour has achieved the coveted Investor in People award. We were accredited for the first time in 1996 and in order to keep the IIP status, we must undergo formal assessments on a regular basis. We are the only company in our industry to have achieved this award. It is recognised by all growing, progressive companies in the UK and gives us quite an edge in the corporate market. There is a great deal more to becoming an effective and professional Image Consultant with a successful business than just being able to tell what "season" your clients are! House of Colour is committed to providing ongoing support. Job Satisfaction - We take our clients on a wonderful journey to a destination where they will look their best every day. Their self esteem will escalate and the benefits, both internal and external, will last a lifetime. Facilitating this transformation is a deeply rewarding experience. A protected exclusive area - You will have an exclusive area, which means House of Colour consultants can work as a team, we do not compete with each other- Result:- camaraderie and a protected investment.