DirectBuy Inc.

Founded: 1971 Franchising since: 1972
James L. Gagan founded UCC TotalHome in 1971 and began franchising the following year. Based in Merrillville, Indiana, the private company has over 90 locations throughout North America.

8450 Broadway, P.O. Box 13006 Merrillville, Indiana 46411-3006

Phone: (800)454-0018/ (219)736-1100

Franchisor is a privately-held company with 330 employee(s); 6 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2009	131	20	0	12
2008	135	22	0	5
2007	121	21	0	1
2006	108	20	0	1
2005	97	19	0	2

Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North carolina, New hampshire, New jersey, New mexico, Nevada, New york, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode island, South carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West virginia, Wyoming
Outside the U.S.: Canada

Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: 300,000 population

Total investment: $552K-2.2M Franchise fee: $75K/155K

Ongoing royalty fee: 22% Term of agreement: 12 years, renewable

Type of Financing Available

	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee	No	Yes
Startup Costs	No	Yes
Equipment	No	Yes
Inventory	No	Yes
Accounts Receivable	No	Yes
Payroll	No	Yes

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $500K
Cash liquidity requirement: $300K
Business Experience:

• Marketing skills

Operations

• 1% of all franchisees own more than one unit
• Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 9 - 12
• Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training

• Available at headquarters: 4 weeks
• At franchisee's location: 5 weeks
• At regional meetings

Ongoing Support

• Newsletter
• Meetings
• Toll-free phone line
• Internet
• Field operations/evaluations

Marketing Support

• Co-op advertising
• Ad slicks
• National media

Franchise 500® rank:
#209 (2009); #219 (2008); #186 (2007); #203 (2006); #263 (2005);

Ranked #1 in category in:
2006;

America's Top Global Franchises:
#160 (2009); #172 (2008); #144 (2007); #159 (2006); #167 (2005);