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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Big Picture Framing vs Fastframe USA including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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Investment | $120,000 - $150,000 | $105,800 - $150,300 |
Franchise Fee | $25,000 | $25,000 |
Royalty Fee | 5.5% | 7.5% |
Advertising Fee | - | - |
Year Founded | 2000 | 1986 |
Year Franchised | 2003 | 1987 |
Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 10 years |
Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 10 years |
Renewal Fee | - | 25% of current 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 | No/Yes |
Start-up Costs | No/Yes | No/Yes |
Equipment | No/Yes | No/Yes |
Inventory | No/Yes | No/Yes |
Receivables | No/No | No/Yes |
Payroll | No/No | No/Yes |
Training & Support |
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Training | - | - |
Support | Meetings, Grand opening, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives |
Marketing | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising |
Operations |
Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3 - 5
Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
31% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2 Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (99% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
Expansion Plans |
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US Expansion | - | - |
Canada Expansion | No | No |
International Expansion | Yes | No |
The retail custom framing business, a multi-billion dollar industry, has always been populated by "Mom and Pop" operators. Depending on your luck of the draw, you may have to wait weeks for your frame - and in many cases you will still pay high costs! Sometimes however, you may find an artisan who will lovingly attend to your framing needs. Who knows, and how do you find a good framing store? In 2000, Barry and Bob launched chain of frame stores in Boston stressing design, quality, selection, price, and On Demand service. To back up their programs, Bob and Barry give their customers a guarantee on all custom framing. Needless to say, the solutions Bob and Barry brought to their customers met with immediate success. Now, Big Picture Framing customers can get their custom frames when they want it, at a price below the competition, and be assured that everything is unconditionally guaranteed...forever. Now with four stores, proven successful marketing programs and well-established operational techniques, Bob and Barry are inviting others - through franchising - to join them in opening new stores.
Started in Newcastle, England, the first American Fastframe store opened in Thousand Oaks, California, in 1986. Fastframe began franchising in 1987. Stores offer immediate turnaround using on-site custom framing. They can also locate hard-to-find or out-of-print pieces of art.