Travel Leaders

#267

At a Glance

Products & Services: Travel agency

Number of Locations: 356

Total Investment: $2.6K - 13.52K

Founded: 1888

Began Franchising: 1984

About Travel Leaders

In 1872, Georges Nagelmackers began his company, Wagons-Lits, to install sleeping compartments in European trains. A few years later, he created the Orient Express. In 1888, Ward G. Foster founded Ask Mr. Foster, a travel agency based in St. Augustine, Florida.

Each company expanded--Wagonlit throughout Europe and Africa, Ask Mr. Foster across the United States and Europe. Carlson Companies Inc. purchased Ask Mr. Foster in 1979; the company changed its name to Carlson Travel Network in 1990. Carlson Travel Network and Wagonlit Travel merged in 1997, forming Carlson Wagonlit Travel. Then in 2008, that company joined with Travel Leaders and Tzell Travel Group to form what is known today as the Travel Leaders franchise.

Franchise Units

Year	U.S.	Canadian	International	Company Owned
2012	340	0	0	16
2011	365	0	0	25
2010	362	0	0	29
2009	407	0	0	26

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

Startup Costs, Ongoing Fees and Financing

Total Investment: $2,600 - $13,520
Franchise Fee: $1,500
Ongoing Royalty Fee: $466-984/mo.
Term of Franchise Agreement: 5 years, renewable

Financial Requirements

Net Worth: $750,000 - $1,000,000
Liquid Cash Available: $500,000

Operations

27% of all franchisees own more than one unit. Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10. Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators).