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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Signarama vs Business Cards Tomorrow including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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Investment | $106,513 - $308,520 | $161,800 - $539,500 |
Franchise Fee | $49,500 | $35,000 |
Royalty Fee | 2%-6% | 6% |
Advertising Fee | 1% | - |
Year Founded | 1986 | 1975 |
Year Franchised | 1987 | 1977 |
Term Of Agreement | 35 years | 25 years |
Term Of Agreement | 35 years | 25 years |
Renewal Fee | $1.5K | - |
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/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 | No prior experience needed. The SIGNARAMA training system is one of the most extensive training programs in the franchising industry and backed by 25 years of experience in signs, graphics, and banners. You will be a trained expert in sign-making and business operations and business promotion. Your comprehensive SIGNARAMA training program includes the following: *A 2-week introductory training program at SIGNARAMA University located at corporate headquarters in West Palm Beach, FL. Your travel and lodging expenses are included. You will learn all aspects of your sign business, marketing your products, advertising, scheduling and workflow, bookkeeping, pricing orders, and providing great customer service. You will also learn the practice of making signs, product knowledge, hiring and training your staff. *A 1-week on-the-job (OJT) training session at an established SIGNARAMA store to apply your classroom training and gain hands-on experience. *Additional 2 weeks of training in your store with one of our experienced operations advisors. They are there with you side by side with you during the store setup as well as to implement your marketing plan and grand opening. | - |
Support | The business landscape is constantly changing. We firmly believe that ongoing support from the franchise is necessary to stay competitive and educated in the industry. We offer ongoing training sessions and regional meetings, franchise owner conventions, and Signarama-specific ongoing online educational opportunities to ensure that our franchisees always have access to a wealth of new information. In addition, franchisees will have access to the following support: - Regional support staff - A highly-effective mentor program - Special achievement recognition - Technical assistance and a toll-free 800 number - Discounts through mass purchasing power - Strategic alliances with vendors and suppliers Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives |
Marketing | Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing | Co-op advertising |
Operations |
International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 5% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2 - 4
Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
2% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6 Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
Expansion Plans |
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US Expansion | Yes | Yes |
Canada Expansion | No | No |
International Expansion | Yes | Yes |
Hank Johnson founded Business Cards Tomorrow Inc. in 1975 to provide 24-hour printing and delivery of thermographed business cards. Today franchises provide wholesale printing products and services to print shops and brokers, warehouse office supply companies, and postal centers. Their products include business cards, letterhead, envelopes, custom stamps, labels, announcements and specialty products.
Headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, the company operates franchises throughout the United States and Canada.