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Entrepreneur: Start & Grow Your Business

Glass Doctor

Auto/residential/comm'l. glass replacement

Background

Founded: 1962 Franchising since: 1981
Glass Doctor was established in 1962. The bulk of franchisees' business is replacing automobile windshields and tempered glass, but they also replace residential glass and mirrors and commercial plate glass. The company's service vehicles carry complete inventory and supplies. Glass Doctor is part of The Dwyer Group, which also owns franchise companies Mr. Rooter, Mr. Appliance, Mr. Electric, Rainbow Int'l., Aire Serv and Dream Maker Bath & Kitchen Worldwide.
1020 N. University Parks Dr.
Waco, Texas 76707
Phone:
(800)280-9858


Franchisor is a publicly-held company with 110 employee(s); 30 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth
Year U.S. Franchises Canadian Franchises Foreign Franchises Company Owned
2009 165 3 0 0
2008 157 0 0 0
2007 150 0 0 0
2006 147 0 0 1
2005 144 0 0 51

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

Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: Minimum 100,000 population

Costs and Fees

Total investment: $109.7K-261.7K
Franchise fee: $22K+
Ongoing royalty fee: 4-7%
Term of agreement: 10 years, renewable


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

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $100K
Cash liquidity requirement: $50K
Business Experience:
  • General business experience

Operations
  • 5% of all franchisees own more than one unit
  • Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 5 - 6
  • Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training and Support

Training
  • Available at headquarters: 10 days
  • At franchisee's location: 3 days
  • Regional training meetings : Twice a year

Ongoing Support
  • Newsletter
  • Meetings
  • Toll-free phone line
  • Grand opening
  • Internet
  • Field operations/evaluations

Marketing Support
  • Co-op advertising
  • Ad slicks
  • National media

Rankings

Franchise 500® rank:
#277 (2009); #312 (2008); #303 (2007); #169 (2006); #133 (2005);

Ranked #1 in category in:
2006; 2005;

Top Home Based Franchises:
#75 (2009); #86 (2008);

America's Top Global Franchises:
#140 (2006); #119 (2005);