Dollar Discount Stores vs Dollar Store Services Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Dollar Discount Stores vs Dollar Store Services including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Dollar Discount Stores Franchise
Dollar Store Services Franchise
Investment $99,000 - $195,000$51,900 - And Up
Franchise Fee $18,000N/A
Royalty Fee 3%-
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 1982-
Year Franchised 1987-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee 33% of current franchise fee-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Dollar Discount Stores Franchise
Dollar Store Services Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options

 
Dollar Discount Stores Franchise
Dollar Store Services Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees No/No-/-
Start-up Costs No/No-/-
Equipment No/No-/-
Inventory No/No-/-
Receivables No/No-/-
Payroll No/No-/-

Training & Support

 
Dollar Discount Stores Franchise
Dollar Store Services Franchise
Training -Training is designed to ensure that each new owner is familiar with the many aspects of managing their store. This experience begins before and continues well after the store's opening. Your trainer will be in contact with you both before and after the store has opened. This training will include a full review of a comprehensive operations manual and related materials designed to aid you in operating your store on a day-to-day basis. Both classroom and onsite training are available, and encouraged, prior to the opening of the store.
Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives-
Marketing Ad slicks-
Operations 10% of all franchisees own more than one unit

Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 4 - 7

Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (99% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

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Expansion Plans

 
Dollar Discount Stores Franchise
Dollar Store Services Franchise
US Expansion Yes-
Canada Expansion No-
International Expansion No-

Company Overviews

About Dollar Discount Stores

Paul Cohen opened the first Dollar Discount Store in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, in 1982. With the help of his family, who had about 40 years of retail experience, he expanded the company into a chain, then began franchising in 1987. Each Dollar Discount Store offers a variety of products, including toys, paper goods, snacks and school supplies, for $1. Stores can also sell more expensive items ranging in price from $1 to $15.

About Dollar Store Services

THIS IS NOT A FRANCHISE THIS IS A BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY North America's Largest Developer of Dollar & Dollar Plus Stores.Dollar Store Services offers you the best business opportunity to become a DOLLAR OR DOLLAR PLUS STORE OWNER Complete turnkey from $51,900 At Dollar Store Services, Inc., we help create business opportunities for entrepreneurs such as you. Our goal is to help you open a dollar or a dollar plus store. Dollar Store Services, Inc. is the most economical and largest developer of the finest high image dollar and dollar plus stores to be found anywhere. We offer a total comprehensive package, which covers every pertinent aspect of opening and running a retail business long term. We assist in finding your new dollar store location, help negotiate the lease, perform the store design and layout, do the physical build out, help you to secure financing as well as provide ongoing support. We supply all dollar store merchandise, fixtures, equipment along with the work crew to open the store, and we do it quickly and professionally. Merchandise From Our Quality Suppliers Network: The long term success of any store revolves around merchandise. In our business, the value, variety and amount of new merchandise you provide customers are three critical variables that will determine how successful you are, and this is where we excel! Our merchandise is provided through a vast network of suppliers, both importers and domestic closeout companies. We travel to personally see each of our suppliers on a regular basis where we inspect new dollar store merchandise to assure high value and quality, and to review hot, new merchandise. Then, we negotiate rock-bottom prices on behalf of our network. This is NOT a dollar store franchise. You are the owner of the store and everything in it. You have 100% control over all aspects of your business. Since we are NOT a franchise there are no ongoing royalties or fees, but you do receive ongoing customer service support and access to the purchasing network which are the main benefits of a franchise. From the beginning you have total control over all decisions regarding the store, including site location, store layout, timing of opening, merchandise, advertising, marketing, your store name, etc.Dollar Store Services is offering you the best business opportunity to become a DOLLAR STORE OWNER. Why buy a dollar store franchise when you can be an independent owner?
Right now is the best time to start a dollar store as the majority of shoppers are seeking the best possible value for their budgets. Shoppers have migrated from the large grocery chains for everything other than perishable items like milk, meat and eggs. Dollar stores sit in prime position to provide great every day items such as national brand cleaning products, bathroom and kitchen cleaners, personal grooming items like soap, hair products and many other personal items. In a recent Supermarket News survey one respondant reported that "Dollar stores are capturing paper products and cleaning products away from supermarkets, especially in small markets." Snack and food items are also extremely popular at the dollar price point. Balloons, toys, holiday decorations, reading glasses and other popular ancillary items are also a large factor in the popularity of dollar stores.