Franchises /Retail /Art Stores

The Great Frame Up

At a Glance

Products & Services: Custom framing & wall decor

Number of Locations: 108

Total Investment: $112.54K - 178.11K

Founded: 1971

Began Franchising: 1975

Private Owned

About The Great Frame Up

In its national studies, The Great Frame Up found that the average American has 23 pieces of art on his or her walls and eight pieces waiting to be framed.

Started in Chicago, The Great Frame Up opened its first location in the Lincoln Park neighborhood in 1971 and started franchising four years later. Their primary customers are women from mid- to upper-income households.

Stores include a vertical viewing board for seeing the art as it would appear on a wall with various mat and frame selections. Full service options allow customers to frame pieces themselves or have staff members do it for them. The stores carry in-stock frames, mats, glass, framed art, unframed posters and prints, catalogs with thousands of prints and ready-made frames.

The Great Frame Up is part of Franchise Concepts Inc., a group that includes Ashley Avery's Collectibles, Deck The Walls and Framing & Art Centre.

Franchise Units

Year	U.S.	Canadian	International	Company Owned
2011	108	0	0	0
2010	121	0	0	0
2009	138	0	0	0
2008	159	0	0	0

Where Seeking Franchisees: Franchisor is seeking new franchise units throughout the U.S.

Startup Costs, Ongoing Fees and Financing

Total Investment: $112,535 - $178,108
Franchise Fee: $30,000
Ongoing Royalty Fee: 6%
Term of Franchise Agreement: 10 years, renewable

Financial Requirements

Net Worth: $200,000
Liquid Cash Available: $50,000

Operations

10% of all franchisees own more than one unit. Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2 - 4. Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators).

Financing Type	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee
Startup Costs
Equipment
Inventory
Accounts Receivable
Payroll

How This Franchise Supports Franchisees

Training: Available at headquarters: 2 weeks. At franchisee's location: 4 days. Convention & trade shows : 3-5 days.

Ongoing Support: Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives,

Marketing Support: Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising,

Other marketing support: Direct-mail program for local markets