Cruise Planners/American Express

Founded: 1994 Franchising since: 1999
Since 1994, agents for Coral Springs, Florida-based Cruise Planners/American Express Travel Service have been connecting business and leisure travelers with the ideal cruise. Franchisees work from their homes, selling cruises full or part time.

Address: 3300 University Dr., #602 Coral Springs, Florida 33065

Phone: (888)582-2150/ (954)344-8060

Franchisor has 40 employee(s); 3 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Units

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2009	823	0	0	0
2008	725	0	0	0
2007	730	0	0	0
2006	680	0	0	0

Where Seeking Franchisees
Nationwide

Special Programs
Cruise Planners/ American Express Travel Service bases its annual renewal fee on gross commissionable sales from the previous year. Franchisees with sales of at least $100,000 in the first year have their renewal fees waived.

Total investment: $1,595 - $19,290
Franchise fee: $495 - $9,995
Ongoing royalty fee: 3%
Term of agreement: 3 years, renewable


Express/kiosk option available

Type of Financing Available

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

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $15,000 - $25,000
Cash liquidity requirement: $8,990

Operations

• Franchise can be run from home
• 2-3% of all franchisees own more than one unit
• Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1 - 2
• Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (97% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training

• Training available

Ongoing Support

• Newsletter
• Meetings
• Toll-free phone line
• Internet
• Purchasing cooperatives

Marketing Support

• Co-op advertising
• Ad slicks
• National media
• Regional advertising

Franchise 500® rank:
#62 (2010); #85 (2009); #114 (2008); #79 (2007); #91 (2006);

Fastest-Growing Franchises:
#44 (2010); #42 (2009); #45 (2007); #29 (2006);

Low-Cost Franchises:
#16 (2010); #23 (2009); #25 (2008); #25 (2007); #21 (2006);

Top Homebased Franchises:
#16 (2010); #20 (2009); #24 (2008); #20 (2007); #18 (2006);