DirectBuy vs Thriveworks Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
DirectBuy Franchise
Thriveworks Franchise
Investment $359,000 - $904,000$16,700 - $79,282
Franchise Fee $75,000$10,000 - $20,000
Royalty Fee 22%3%
Advertising Fee 3%1%
Year Founded 19712008
Year Franchised 19722013
Term Of Agreement 12 years-
Term Of Agreement 12 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
DirectBuy Franchise
Thriveworks Franchise
Experience
  • Marketing skills
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    DirectBuy Franchise
    Thriveworks 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
    Thriveworks Franchise
    Training At regional meetingsOn-The-Job Training: 1-2 days Classroom Training: 3 days Additional Training: At company-owned center
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Internet, Field operations/evaluationsPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations
    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
    Thriveworks Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    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 Thriveworks

    A Thriveworks franchise is a unique turn-key counseling business opportunity unlike anything else in the field. Thriveworks is the country’s fastest growing brand of counseling centers and offers well-qualified franchisees a therapy practice with:

    A Thriveworks practice could be the right investment for your career and future.  Are you ready?

    The Initial Franchise Fee is $10,000 to convert an existing practice into a Thriveworks center (“Conversion Model”) or $20,000 for a new startup center (“Standard Model”) with exclusive rights to operate in a specific area as defined by the franchisor. Additional franchises will be available for a reduced fee of $5,000 per Franchise.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Thriveworks Franchise ranges from $16,700 to $31,800 for a Conversion Model and from $36,100 to $79,282 for a Standard Model which will depend on a number of factors that are fully discussed in Item 7. This includes the Initial Franchise Fee of $10,000 for a Conversion Model or $20,000 for a Standard Model (as discussed in Item 5) that must be paid to Thriveworks Franchising LLC or an affiliate.