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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Merle Norman Cosmetics vs Armstrong McCall including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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Investment | $39,471 - $180,888 | $75,000 - $500,000 |
Franchise Fee | N/A | N/A |
Royalty Fee | 0 | - |
Advertising Fee | - | - |
Year Founded | 1931 | 1939 |
Year Franchised | 1989 | 1996 |
Term Of Agreement | Open-ended | - |
Term Of Agreement | Open-ended | - |
Renewal Fee | - | - |
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/No | -/- |
Start-up Costs | No/Yes | -/- |
Equipment | Yes/No | -/- |
Inventory | Yes/No | -/- |
Receivables | No/No | -/- |
Payroll | No/No | -/- |
Training & Support |
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Training | Field training classes, field visits, advanced home office training and point-of-sale software training Classroom Training: 40 hours Additional Training: Online training | Initially franchise distributors receive a 2-day training at the Armstrong McCall Support Center. Additional Regional training in consultative selling |
Support | Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform | Assistance from the Support Center includes: Field sales managers & sales meetings Product knowledge DVDs Distributor-only secure website Innovative Promotions & Merchandising Through close management of franchise operations, Armstrong McCall benefits from a cohesive system where franchises focus on specific promotions. The Support Center provides innovative promotions and incentives such as: Commissioned show sales VIP sales Seasonal in-store sales Store merchandising Monthly print advertising Customer education coordination |
Marketing | Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media Email marketing | - |
Operations |
Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2 Absentee ownership of franchisee is allowed.
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Expansion Plans |
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US Expansion | Yes | - |
Canada Expansion | No | - |
International Expansion | Yes | - |
Even before she opened her first studio in Santa Monica in 1931, Merle Norman's philosophy of "Try Before You Buy" was being carried out as she offered free samples of her products to neighbors, hoping they'd discover the benefits and return as paying customers. And return they did. Many even opened their own studios and the company now has studios throughout the United States and Canada. Carrying on the Merle Norman tradition, franchisees now offer skin care, from cleansers and toners to sun defense, and a full line of cosmetics.
Armstrong McCall seeks a limited number of highly qualified individuals to become multi-unit franchise owner/operators in select areas of the U.S. and Mexico. We are currently focusing our U.S. expansion in the Central Plains with plans for further territory development on the horizon. Armstrong McCall owners work on their business by direct involvement in this recession-resistant industry of professional salon distribution.
No Royalties! Unlike many franchises, Armstrong McCall collects no royalties from its franchisees.