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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Ace Hardware vs Brilliant Sky including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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Investment | $41,000 - $2,110,230 | $196,000 - $424,000 |
Franchise Fee | $5,000 | $35,000 |
Royalty Fee | 0 | 5% |
Advertising Fee | - | - |
Year Founded | 1924 | 2002 |
Year Franchised | 1976 | 2002 |
Term Of Agreement | - | - |
Term Of Agreement | - | - |
Renewal Fee | - | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
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Experience | Minimum Financial Requirements: * $250,000 Liquid Assets * $400,000 Net Worth | - |
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 | Training in all functional areas of operation, service and promotion: * Effective store management * Strategies and management of each revenue center * Purchasing and inventory strategies * Implementing helpful customer service * Financial management and "back-office" procedures * Hiring, training and managing employees * Effective store marketing techniques | - |
Support | Hands on, in-store training at opening - Ongoing contact from dedicated Ace support staff - In-store tools for continual improvement * In-store customer survey * Customer comment card program * Mystery shopper program A district manager will be assigned to your store to facilitate ongoing business needs and help you develop store growth plans to maximize retail sales and profits. | - |
Marketing | - | - |
Operations | - | - |
Expansion Plans |
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US Expansion | - | - |
Canada Expansion | No | - |
International Expansion | No | - |
What started as a little chain of stores built up by a gathering of Chicago retailers in 1924 has advanced into one of the country's driving "useful equipment" merchant possessed cooperatives. Ace has developed from a couple of Chicago-region tool shops, to incorporate more than 4,700 stores in 50 states and more than 70 nations. However one thing has stayed unaltered - Ace's dedication to conveying accommodating equipment administration to shoppers.
The prototype for Brilliant Sky Toys & Books was founded in 2002 in Lansing, Michigan with the singular goal of being the finest toy store in America. Based on the belief that the right playthings provide children with a gateway to physical, emotional, and cognitive development, we focused on delivering this message in an atmosphere that is both active and interactive, with a unique aesthetic approach that is vibrant yet warm, exciting yet comforting, and exploratory yet safe. Rich colors and woods, low sightlines, and custom fixtures make the sensory experience at Brilliant Sky unlike any other. Now, we're building a network of energetic, passionate, dedicated store owners like ourselves - with a vested interest in upholding the high standards and traditions of Brilliant Sky Toys & Books - and arming them with a proven formula as a path to realizing the pride and satisfaction of owning an acclaimed and respected business. Our franchise offering operates with the same singular goal we've had from day one - to create a network of the finest toy stores in America. With consistency and superiority in products, services, aesthetics, and community involvement, Brilliant Sky Toys & Books will set the standard for quality in any community. How far will our franchise family go? The sky's the limit!