Budget Blinds Inc.

Window covering retailer and installer
Year began: 1992    Franchising since: 1994
Founded in 1992 by five young entrepreneurs, Budget Blinds allows customers to shop at home for window coverings. Tony Forbes, Brent Hallock, Chad Hallock, Todd Jackson and David Lewis had been working for a California-based window-covering retailer when changes in ownership forced them to leave the company. Using the experience they had gained, the co-workers started their own business and began franchising two years later.

Budget Blinds offers customers free in-home consultations, taking measurements and selling a variety of name brand window coverings. The company also handles installations.

1927 N. Glassell St.
Orange, CA 92865

Phone: (800)420-5374
Fax: (714)637-1400

Franchisor is a privately-held company with 86 employee(s); 7 employee(s) in franchise department.


Franchise Growth
Year

2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
U.S. Franchises
1,009
1,047
1,062
915
730
Canadian Franchises
74
32
25
0
0

Foreign Franchises
0
3
3
3
0
Company
Owned

1
1
3
3
3

Where Seeking Franchisees
Nationwide

Outside the U.S.:

Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: Approximately 30,000 households

Costs & Fees
Total investment: $79.7K-153.1K
Franchise fee: $24.9K
Ongoing royalty fee: Varies
Term of agreement: 10 years, renewable
Renewal fee: $5K
Type of Financing Available
In-HouseThird Party
Franchise FeeYesNo
Startup CostsNoNo
EquipmentNoNo
InventoryNoNo
Accounts ReceivableNoNo
PayrollNoNo
Qualifications
Cash liquidity requirement: $54.7K-86.1K
Business Experience:
  • Industry experience
  • Marketing skills

Operations
  • Franchise can be run from home
  • 42% of all franchisees own more than one unit
  • Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1 - 3
  • Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (97% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training & Support
TRAINING
  • Available at headquarters: 2 weeks
  • At franchisee's location: Optional
  • Ongoing training and support

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

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

Rankings in Entrepreneur magazine 2004-2008
Franchise 500® rank:
#60 (2008); #29 (2007); #50 (2006); #50 (2005); #75 (2004);

Ranked #1 in category in:
2008; 2007; 2006; 2005; 2004;

Fastest-Growing Franchises:
#15 (2007); #25 (2006); #13 (2005); #25 (2004);

Top home based franchises:
#12 (2008); #6 (2007); #11 (2006); #11 (2005); #15 (2004);

America's Top Global Franchises:
#74 (2008); #28 (2007); #48 (2006); #50 (2005); #68 (2004);

Last Updated: 3/26/2008 12:00:00 AM



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