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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Norwalk Furniture & Design vs Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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Investment | $495,000 | $283,270 - $852,975 |
Franchise Fee | $35,000 | $50,000 |
Royalty Fee | 0 | 6% |
Advertising Fee | - | - |
Year Founded | 1902 | 1955 |
Year Franchised | 1987 | 1992 |
Term Of Agreement | 5 years | 10 years |
Term Of Agreement | 5 years | 10 years |
Renewal Fee | - | $2.5K |
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/Yes | No/No |
Start-up Costs | No/Yes | No/No |
Equipment | No/Yes | No/No |
Inventory | No/Yes | No/Yes |
Receivables | No/No | No/No |
Payroll | No/No | No/No |
Training & Support |
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Training | Administrative & service management | - |
Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives |
Marketing | Ad slicks, Regional advertising | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising |
Operations |
10% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 14 Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 90% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6 Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (30% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
Expansion Plans |
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US Expansion | - | - |
Canada Expansion | No | No |
International Expansion | Yes | Yes |
For more than 100 years, we've helped furniture shoppers create something unique. Since 1987, we've done the same for our franchisees. Our philosophy is simple: Create stylish, one-of-a-kind upholstered furniture in an intimate, service-oriented retail environment. That means a low-inventory investment for you and an extraordinary selection for your customers. It's this one-of-a-kind furniture store concept that makes our nearly 80 Norwalk Furniture Idea stores a growing success and the right concept, at the right time. Why Norwalk Now? Consumer research shows people spending more time at home these days. They see their home as their refuge, their sanctuary from the pressures of the world. More time at home results in more spending to decorate those homes. And today's sophisticated, upscale consumer does not want to settle for ordinary, off-the-shelf decorating solutions.
Aaron's Rents offers furnishings such as big screen televisions, couches and refrigerators for rental or purchase at its stores across the United States. R. Charles Loudermilk Sr. began the business in 1955, renting folding chairs he had purchased from an army surplus store for 10 cents a day. Today the company rents items for a few days or weeks, or sells items on 12- to 18-month terms.
Aaron's Rents began franchising in 1992. The company is publicly traded on NASDAQ.