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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Floor Coverings International vs Shuttercraft including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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Investment | $154,200 - $222,700 | N/A |
Franchise Fee | $57,900 | N/A |
Royalty Fee | 5% | - |
Advertising Fee | 3% | - |
Year Founded | 1988 | - |
Year Franchised | 1989 | - |
Term Of Agreement | 5 years | - |
Term Of Agreement | 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/Yes | -/- |
Start-up Costs | No/Yes | -/- |
Equipment | No/Yes | -/- |
Inventory | No/Yes | -/- |
Receivables | No/Yes | -/- |
Payroll | No/Yes | -/- |
Training & Support |
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Training | We are going to teach you world-class business practices - from estimating a job to maintaining strong margins through efficient project management, to training employees to understanding and utilizing sales and marketing strategies .You will receive everything you need to become a successful member of the Floor Coverings International family of franchisees. Franchise training consists of a combination of classroom, online and field learning. Your three weeks of comprehensive franchise training are spread over the course of several months to promote maximum retention and franchise success. On-The-Job Training: 12 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours Additional Training: Regional meetings & national convention | Training in shuttercraft's tried and tested consumer sales processes, resulting in a higher percentage of sale conversions Comprehensive on the job product training to enable you to survey and fit shutters professionally Business management Marketing and Sales training Product range How to assess and price a job Admin systems & procedures Employment/staff management techniques and requirements |
Support | We are available year round to help you to continue learning and provide additional franchise training for franchise success. It all starts with our annual convention. This is where all members of the Floor Coverings International family assemble to recap the successes of the year and plan for the upcoming year. For franchisees there are also peer meetings. These "momentum groups" are a great resource for franchisees of varying experience levels to create synergy by sharing successful local sales techniques and business strategies. We provide a comprehensive data system that enables you to manage every aspect of your business. You will be able to manage your marketing programs, leads, scheduling, estimates, jobs in progress and employees all from one interface. You'll be able to download and upload information to and from corporate databases, customize reports to fit your business model, and manage your business against established plans and goals. 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 | Access to shuttercraft's bespoke quoting and invoicing software which includes image rendering software that illustrates the shutter installation for the consumer Support via business development managers who have developed many of the UK's leading independent retailers Marketing support to help you target prospects, push sales and achieve referrals Apprenticeship time spent with some of the best shutter surveyors and fitters in the UK |
Marketing | Ad slicks, Regional advertising | - |
Operations |
Franchise can be run from home. 1% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2 Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators)
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Expansion Plans |
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US Expansion | Yes | - |
Canada Expansion | Yes | - |
International Expansion | Yes | Yes |
Floor Coverings International was established in 1988 as the first "mobile shop-at-home" floor covering franchise. Floor Coverings International continues to be the leading mobile floor-covering retailer with franchise units throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
In 1998 a new direction and focus was given to Floor Coverings International when Thomas and Cynthia Gandee purchased the company. With backgrounds in floor covering sales and interior decorating respectively, and with more than 25 years of franchising experience, including owning their own Floor Coverings International franchise, Tom and Cindy are committed to the future of Floor Coverings International and the mobile concept of providing floor coverings to consumers.
Building on the strengths of the concepts, the Gandees have brought together a new management team to support existing franchise partners and launch new business in their pursuit of "creating and keeping more customers."
There is large demand for specialty affordable custom flooring as people continue to invest in the comfort, style and value of their homes. More and more customers are demanding specialized products from around the world. Customers want a design unique to them, utilizing dimension and mixed textures. Along with design leadership, they desire a high level of customer experience and service.
These factors, combined with the continuing challenges in the real estate market create a business opportunity in the flooring industry that is likely to continue for many years into the future. Property owners are staying in their homes longer and they want their homes to be comfortable, fashionable and well maintained. The franchise business opportunities from Floor Coverings International are perfectly positioned to continue and will allow us to remain the market leader for many years to come.
A great business concept, new leadership, and superb franchise partners are key to Floor Coverings International's future growth.
Choosing a shuttercraft franchise provides you with access to the UK's most comprehensive range of high quality window shutter products and the S:CRAFT PURE Wood range of wood slat venetian blinds. All shuttercraft products are marketed under the S:CRAFT brand and utilising their extensive market knowledge you will be provided with the highest levels of support, including an on-going marketing programme. Continuing market research and investment in product development will ensure the best product range is available to meet today's market. The shuttercraft franchise package includes all the training and support needed to set-up and run the business locally. In this section you can see the relatively low set-up costs and the financial returns in detail, generating over $60k trading profit in year two with further potential for those with even higher ambitions. No doubt you will have many questions to ask, and there will be plenty of time during the process to do so, should you choose to apply. The start-up costs and support package is listed below, but we will discuss this with you in more detail after we have received your questionnaire. Subject to status the main high street banks are able to help with the financing of the franchise. Territory Demographics Trade Mark Franchise Agreement Operating Manual Induction Training - 2 wks Initial Support - 5 days Business Launch Business Stationery Leaflets etc. Demonstration Equipment (portable) Corporate Clothing Franchisee mini site on franchisors main site Franchise Package (payable to the franchisor) Van deposit (VW Transporter) - lease Vehicle Logo & Tel numbers Equipment Laptop & Printer Broadband Mobile Telephone Sundry Tools Other Legal advice Induction training expenses Start Up Costs $16,900 VAT (20%) $3,380 Total Start Up (exc. working capital) 20,280