Made in the Shade Blinds and More Franchise Costs, Fees & FDD

Year Business Began: 1994

Franchising Since: 2013

Headquarters: San Antonio, Texas

Estimated Number of Units: 135

Franchise Description: The franchisor is Made in the Shade Blinds and More LLC. The franchise is for the establishment and operation of a business that specializes in the sale and distribution of window covering products. The system includes specifications, policies and procedures for operations; quality of the products and services offered; procedures for sales, management and financial control; training and assistance; and advertising and promotional programs.
Training Overview: Franchisees and/or their operating principal must attend and complete the initial management training program to the franchisor’s satisfaction. Any additional trainees will incur a fee of $1,000 per additional attendee. Currently, the initial training is conducted in San Antonio, Texas. Initial training generally lasts approximately five days. The franchisor may require the operating principal to attend additional training programs.

Territory Granted: If franchisees are in compliance with the Franchise Agreement and all other agreements between the franchisee or affiliates and the franchisor or its affiliates, and with limited exceptions, during the term of the Franchise Agreement, franchisees will receive an exclusive territory in that the franchisor and its affiliates will not establish or authorize anyone except the franchisor to establish a Made in the Shade business in the territory. The territory will be delineated by specific geographic boundaries corresponding to U.S Postal Service zip codes. The area of a territory is generally comprised of approximately 150,000 to 450,000 people meeting certain proprietary demographic characteristics. The actual size of the territory will vary depending upon the availability of contiguous markets, the franchisor’s long-range plans, the franchisee’s financial and operational resources, and market conditions. To maintain territorial rights, franchisees will be required to achieve the minimum performance standard in any agreement year.

Obligations and Restrictions: When franchisees sign the Franchise Agreement, they must designate an individual to serve as the “operating principal.” If franchisees are individuals, they will be the operating principal. If franchisees are not individuals, the operating principal must maintain a direct or indirect ownership interest in the franchise of not less than 10%, unless the franchisor consents otherwise. The operating principal must use his or her best efforts to actively sell the products and promote the business. He or she must satisfy the training requirements and the other standards and must guaranty the franchisee’s performance under the Franchise Agreement. All products franchisees use or sell in their business must conform to the franchisor’s standards and specifications. Franchisees must not deviate from the franchisor’s standards and specifications unless first given written consent. Franchisees must also comply with all applicable laws and regulations and secure all appropriate governmental approvals for the business.

Term of Agreement and Renewal: The length of the initial franchise term is 10 years. Ten-year renewal terms are available, if requirements are met.

Financial Assistance: The franchisor offers financing of the initial franchise fee subject to credit approval. The franchisor does not guarantee a franchisee’s notes, leases or obligations.

Estimated Initial Investment

Name of Fee	Low	High
Initial Franchise Fee	$67,500	$77,500
Furniture, Fixtures, & Equipment	$0	$1,000
Computer Hardware & Software	$100	$2,000
Office Space	$0	$5,000
Office Supplies	$100	$200
Insurance	$1,000	$4,000
Initial Training Expenses	$500	$1,000
Initial Marketing Expenses	$3,000	$6,000
Professional Fees	$2,000	$3,000
Licenses and Permits	$300	$500
Vehicle and Wrap	$1,500	$2,500
Additional Funds (3 months)	$2,000	$5,000
ESTIMATED TOTAL	$78,000	$107,700

Other Fees

Type of Fee	Amount
Renewal Fee	$6,000
Marketing Fee	Basic marketing support is currently $100 per month. There is additional marketing support available for an additional fee.
Technology Fee	Basic technology support is currently $150 per month. There is additional technology support available for an additional fee.
Accounting Fee	Basic accounting support is currently $100 per month plus $5 per employee set up on payroll.
Fee for Non-Designated Supplier Products	5% of the price of the manufacturer product purchases paid by franchisees to approved non-designated suppliers that the franchisor approves.
Failure to Report Non-Designated Supplier Purchases	Up to 50% of the amount not reported or underreported.
Interest	The lesser of 10% per year or the maximum lawful rate.
Annual Conference Fee	Currently $250 per person attending. $250 per franchisee for non-attendance.
Inspection and Testing	Cost of inspection, if applicable, and cost of test.
Additional Inventory of Sample Products from Designated Suppliers	$100 to $200 per month or as needed.
Initial Training	$1,000 per additional attendee. All trainees receive a new tablet for training and later use in their operations.
Successor or Replacement Personnel or Additional Training	A reasonable fee for training successor or replacement personnel and for any additional training. Transferee: $1,000 per person to attend.
Local Marketing	Recommended 3% of gross sales.
Insurance Fee	Insurance premium plus the franchisor’s administrative costs if franchisees fail to procure or maintain any insurance required.
Territory Relocate Fee	$7,500
Transfer Fee	5% of the gross sale price, with a minimum fee of $10,000 and a maximum fee of $40,000.
Indemnification	Varies according to loss.
Enforcement Costs	Will vary.
Reasonable Expenses in the Event of Death or Incapacity	Reasonable expenses actually incurred.
Transfer Referral Fee	In addition to transfer fee, the greater of $5,000, the then-current transfer referral fee at time of the transfer, or the amount of any broker fees that the franchisor must pay to a third party.
Audit Fee	The cost of an inspection or audit.
Intrusion Fee	Up to 150% of the gross sale of the intrusion in another franchisee’s territory without their consent.
Insufficient Funds or Late Payment Fee	$100

The above information has been compiled from the FDD of Made in the Shade Blinds and More LLC. Year of FDD: 2025.
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