Miracle-Ear Inc.

#21

At a Glance

Products & Services: Hearing instruments

Number of Locations: 1,357

Total Investment: $122.5K - 450K

Founded: 1948

Began Franchising: 1983

About Miracle-Ear Inc.

Kenneth Dahlberg started Dahlberg Electronics in 1948 and began manufacturing the first Miracle-Ear hearing aids. Today, Miracle-Ear is a subsidiary of Italian hearing aid distributor Amplifon, with U.S. headquarters in Plymouth, Minnesota. Miracle-Ear's retail locations offer free hearing tests and consultations and offer service, warranty and after-care packages with their hearing aids.

Franchise Units

Year	U.S.	Canadian	International	Company Owned
2012	1,351	0	0	6
2011	1,319	0	0	20
2010	1,301	0	0	27
2009	1,274	0	0	42

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

Startup Costs, Ongoing Fees and Financing

Total Investment: $122,500 - $450,000
Franchise Fee: $30,000 - $100,000
Ongoing Royalty Fee: $48.80/aid
Term of Franchise Agreement: 5 years, renewable

Financial Requirements

Liquid Cash Available: $25,000

Operations

80% of all franchisees own more than one unit. Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2. Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed..

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: As needed. Ongoing training as needed

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,