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Updated RecentlySignal Graphics Business Center vs AIM Mail Centers Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Signal Graphics Business Center vs AIM Mail Centers including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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| Investment | $159,000 - $201,000 | $35,525 - $172,750 |
| Franchise Fee | $25,000 | $29,950 |
| Royalty Fee | 5% | 5% |
| Advertising Fee | - | 2% |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 1985 |
| Year Franchised | 1982 | 1989 |
| Term Of Agreement | 20 years | 15 years |
| Term Of Agreement | 20 years | 15 years |
| Renewal Fee | - | $5K |
Business Experience Requirements |
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| Experience | ||
Financing Options |
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| In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
| Franchise Fees | No/Yes | No/Yes |
| Start-up Costs | No/Yes | No/Yes |
| Equipment | No/Yes | No/Yes |
| Inventory | No/Yes | No/Yes |
| Receivables | No/Yes | No/No |
| Payroll | No/Yes | No/No |
Training & Support |
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| Training | - | On-The-Job Training: 32 hours Classroom Training: 80 hours Additional Training: Regional meetings/annual convention |
| Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations | Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform |
| Marketing | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising | Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app |
| Operations |
3% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1 - 2
Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
10% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1 - 2
Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. |
Expansion Plans |
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| US Expansion | Yes | Yes |
| Canada Expansion | No | No |
| International Expansion | No | Yes |
Company Overviews
About Signal Graphics Business Center
In 1974, Stephen Morris founded Stop & Go Printing, a Denver, Colorado, printing center that combined typesetting, quick printing, copying and commercial printing. The company began franchising in 1982. Six years later, Stop & Go Printing changed its name to Signal Graphics. Today the company offers computer graphic services, copying, commercial printing, packaging and shipping services.
You have unshakable ambition, a dedicated work ethic and a deep desire to succeed. Signal
Graphics can help you achieve it. Independence. Unlimited growth
potential. Go after your dream.
About AIM Mail Centers
AIM Mail Centers, a 20 year old company based in Irvine, California, has developed a unique and attractive franchise opportunity designed for motivated professionals. AIM Mail Centers are complete business service centers offering a wide array of products and services for large and small businesses plus general consumers. This includes shipping services with UPS, FedEx and the US Postal Service. We provide packaging, stamps, fax service, notary public, mailbox rentals, photocopies, office supplies and much more. AIM Mail Centers' advanced systems, extraordinary training and on-going field support make AIM Mail centers the right choice for entrepreneurs who want to be in business for themselves but not by themselves.
The SOHO (small office/home office) based business market is growing at a remarkable rate. From a base of 6 million home offices in 1980, more than one in four U.S. workers in 53 million households is now regularly working at home at least part of the week. For the past five years at a rate of one every 35 seconds, someone has begun a full or part time business in their home. With this, as well as residential customers, the demand for shipping, postal and business services continues to boom.
- Commercial Center: $99,700 to $172,750
- Commercial Center-Conversion: $35,525 to $147,975