PIP Printing & Document Services vs AlphaGraphics Printshops Of The Future Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of PIP Printing & Document Services vs AlphaGraphics Printshops Of The Future including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
PIP Printing & Document Services Franchise
AlphaGraphics Printshops Of The Future Franchise
Investment $227,981 - $277,981$74,250 - $380,568
Franchise Fee $25,000$48,000
Royalty Fee 0.25%-6.5%3% -7%
Advertising Fee 2%2.5%
Year Founded 19651970
Year Franchised 19681980
Term Of Agreement 20 years20 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years20 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
PIP Printing & Document Services Franchise
AlphaGraphics Printshops Of The Future Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    PIP Printing & Document Services Franchise
    AlphaGraphics Printshops Of The Future Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/YesNo/Yes
    Payroll No/YesNo/Yes

    Training & Support
     
    PIP Printing & Document Services Franchise
    AlphaGraphics Printshops Of The Future Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 24 hours Classroom Training: 80 hours Additional Training: Regional meetings Classroom Training: 5 days Additional Training: At regional locations
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operation Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Ad Templates National Media Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing
    Operations 5% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3 - 5

    Absentee ownership allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		 5% 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
     
    PIP Printing & Document Services Franchise
    AlphaGraphics Printshops Of The Future Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About PIP Printing & Document Services

    In 1965, Bill LeVine converted his commercial printing plant into a "while you wait" printing center. Four years later, his company, PIP Printing, began franchising.
    Today, PIP Printing's more than 1,200 centers provide a variety of printing and business services.
     Promise Yourself A Brighter Future Independence.
    Control over your destiny.
    A more secure future.
    These are a few of the reasons people like you dream of entering business for themselves. PIP Printing can make that dream come true. PIP is part of the growing business communications industry. The best part of all is that, by becoming a PIP franchise owner, you can become part of that.
     Here's what a PIP Printing franchise offers you:
    -Brand name recognition.
    -A proven business system, backed by an established 37-year track record.
    -Powerful national advertising reaching millions of print buyers on such media as TV, radio, magazines and the World Wide Web.
    -A variety of strong local marketing components: posters, direct mail, sales brochures, promotions and radio and TV commercials.
    -Comprehensive market research studies to give PIP Printing the competitive edge.
    -A world-class, e-commerce enabled website for your individual center
    -Buying clout via national purchasing contracts.
    -Pricing strategies to position you competitively in your marketplace.
    -Innovative products and services.
    -Dynamic selling design that projects a professional identity.
    -Comprehensive and ongoing training programs to increase management and business printing skills -- also available to your employees.

    -Detailed marketing skills, operational and management consultation.

    "Entrepreneur
    #389 in Franchise 500 for 2020.

    About AlphaGraphics Printshops Of The Future

    The first AlphaGraphics Printshops Of The Future location opened in Tucson, Arizona, in 1970. Franchising began nine years later, and by the company's 20th year in business, AlphaGraphics had shops throughout North America, Asia and Europe. AlphaGraphics locations offer customers a variety of printing, copying and publishing services including custom-made business forms, stationery, announcements and presentation folders. Shops also design Web sites.

    The estimated total initial investment necessary to begin operation of a new AlphaGraphics® Business Center franchise is $214,650 to $380,568, excluding real estate costs. This includes $55,500 in initial fees that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.
    The estimated total initial investment necessary to begin operation of an AlphaGraphics® Business Center franchise under our Acquire and Convert Pathway is $102,250 to $330,050, excluding real estate costs. This includes $55,500 in initial fees that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.
    The estimated total initial investment necessary to begin operation of an AlphaGraphics® Business Center franchise under our Conversion Pathway is $74,250 to $302,050, excluding real estate costs. This includes $27,500 in initial fees that must be paid to the franchisor or an affiliate. If you sign an Area Development Agreement, you will also pay a development fee equal to $12,000 for each area listed in the Area Development Agreement, which will be applied toward the applicable initial fees listed above if and when you sign a Franchise Agreement for that area.

    Franchisor is seeking new franchise units throughout the U.S. and in the following regions/states: Europe (Eastern), South America, Europe (Western)

    Veteran Incentives: $5,000 off franchise fee

    "Entrepreneur

    #226 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #232 in Franchise 500 for 2021.