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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Bath Fitter 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 | $120,000 - $175,000 | $80,799 - $90,136 |
Franchise Fee | $30,000 | $33,000 |
Royalty Fee | 0 | 7% |
Advertising Fee | - | 2% |
Year Founded | 1984 | 1992 |
Year Franchised | 1992 | 1992 |
Term Of Agreement | 5 years | 5 years |
Term Of Agreement | 5 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 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 |
Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3 - 4
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 |
In 1984 Bath Fitter created its first bathtub liner, an acrylic bathtub that fit over an existing tub. The company soon added one-piece acrylic bath walls and accessories to its product line.
Bath Fitter franchisees now also install accessories such as soap dishes, towel racks and shelves.
Liners are made to measure, fitting around existing plumbing fixtures. Walls can be installed to cover existing tile.
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.