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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Country Clutter vs Furniture Medic including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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Investment | $164,900 - $350,900 | $80,799 - $90,136 |
Franchise Fee | $25,000 | $33,000 |
Royalty Fee | 5.5% | 7% |
Advertising Fee | - | 2% |
Year Founded | 1991 | 1992 |
Year Franchised | 1992 | 1992 |
Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 5 years |
Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 5 years |
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 | Yes/No |
Start-up Costs | No/No | Yes/No |
Equipment | No/No | Yes/No |
Inventory | No/No | Yes/No |
Receivables | No/No | No/No |
Payroll | No/No | No/No |
Training & Support |
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Training | - | On-The-Job Training: 97-101 hours Classroom Training: 61 hours Additional Training: Home study/mentor program |
Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives | Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Franchisee Intranet Platform |
Marketing | Ad slicks | Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media Website development |
Operations |
26% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 5 Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
Franchise can be run from home. International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 40% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1 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 | No | Yes |
NO LONGER FRANCHISING
Back in the mid-1980s, firefighters Ken Petersen and Tom Brady were looking for several ways to supplement their income; they refurbished and sold homes and later founded a four-store oak furniture chain. When construction began on an outlet mall in the pair's hometown of Vacaville, California, Petersen and Brady toyed with the idea of opening an oak accessories store in the center. At the suggestion of Petersen's wife Trease, the partners instead decided to open a gifts and collectibles store and in 1991 launched their first Country Clutter store. After opening a few more locations, Petersen and Brady turned their attention to franchising and started Country Visions with Scott Jacobs, now president of the company, to act as franchisor of the concept.
When you join the Country Visions establishment framework, you will profit by a standout amongst the most exceptional operational frameworks in the country.
You will access broad systems administration assets, including favored national sellers who offer volume rebates and restrictive items; showcasing support; best in class purpose of offer, stock administration and PC emotionally supportive networks; and national establishment traditions for direct establishment systems administration and preparing.
You will likewise be prepared by an expert staff at the Country Visions University in visual promoting, valuing methodologies, client administration, advertising and PC frameworks, and in addition representative inspiration and advancement.
Joseph Lunsford wasn't looking to start a business when he moved into a new home and realized that several pieces of his furniture had been damaged in transit, but start one he did. He founded Furniture Medic in 1992 in response to his dissatisfaction with the long turnaround time that was common with most refurnishing shops. In 1996 Furniture Medic was acquired by ServiceMaster and has since grown to more than 600 locations throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.