Franchising Since: 1977
Headquarters: Plymouth, Michigan
Business Description: Allegra (and related franchises American Speedy Printing and Insty-Prints Centers) provide marketing and business communication services, including strategic planning and consulting, sales literature, direct mail advertising, web development, copywriting, graphic design, printing, mailing, e-mail marketing and more to its customers.
Franchise Offer: The franchisor offers five types of franchise options:
- Franchises for start-up Allegra Centers known as Allegra Marketing*Print*Mail Centers (each, a “New Center”) that focus on the growing marketing needs of small- to medium-sized businesses.
- Franchises for the acquisition of independent printing and marketing and business communication services businesses through the franchisor’s MatchMaker program.
- Franchises to owners of independent printing and marketing and business communication services businesses who want to retain ownership of their businesses and, through the franchisor’s Advantage program, convert their businesses to an Allegra Center meeting the franchisor’s standards and specifications.
- Franchises to purchasers of existing Allegra, American Speedy Printing, and Insty-Prints Centers.
- Franchises for renewal Allegra Centers.
Training and Assistance: The initial training program involves a maximum of 10 days (or, if franchisees are operating an Advantage Center, a maximum of 5 days) of instruction for 2 persons at Alliance University in Plymouth, Michigan (or another location the franchisor’s designate). The training program is mandatory for all franchisees (and their owners) and covers pricing methods, general business procedures, use of equipment, purchasing, invoicing, credit and collection, financial management, marketing, advertising, promotion, and effective methods for selling marketing and business communication services and related products. Training includes classroom training and ‘on-the-job’ training, both of which the franchisee must satisfactorily complete. The franchisor may provide additional training programs that cover the marketing, management and technical aspects of operating a Center. Attendance at these programs is optional.
Territory: The franchisor and its affiliates will not operate or grant a franchise for the operation of another Center of the franchisee’s Designated Brand Concept, the physical premises of which is located within a 2-mile radius of the franchisee’s Center (the Protected Territory).
Term of Agreement and Renewal: The length of the initial franchise term is 20 years, with the option to renew one successor franchise on the then current terms (which may be materially different from existing terms) for 20 years. However, the initial franchise term for an Advantage Center is five years with a 10-year renewal term.
Obligations and Restrictions: Franchisees (or managing owners) must devote substantially all of their effort and time to the on-premises supervision of the center and manage the center on a full-time basis. The on-site manager (or any replacement manager) does not need to successfully complete the training program. However, the franchisee must supervise, train and evaluate the performance of the employees so that they provide competent and efficient service to customers. Franchisees may not use the Center or the premises of the Center for any purpose other than the operation of a Center in compliance with the Franchise Agreement. Franchisees must use the franchisor’s specifications for products, materials and supplies, and must follow the franchisor’s specifications and marketing plans for certain brands of products, materials and supplies.
Estimated Number of Units: 270
Investment Tables:
| Name of Fee | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Training Expenses | $1,800 | $3,950 |
| Rent Deposit | $0 | $4,000 |
| Utility Deposits | $750 | $3,500 |
| Software and Equipment | $3,349 | $99,871 |
| Fixtures, Furniture, Inside Signage | $1,090 | $17,250 |
| Leasehold Improvements, Construction, Remodeling, Decorating | $2,700 | $7,500 |
| Exterior Signage | $5,000 | $12,000 |
| Marketing and Brand Identification | $14,205 | $31,131 |
| Insurance (12 months) | $2,450 | $8,5750 |
| Business Licenses and Permits | $500 | $1,000 |
| Professional Fees (lawyer, accountant, etc.) | $1,000 | $5,000 |
| Down Payment on Business | $77,500 | $205,000 |
| Additional Funds (12 months) | $51,500 | $135,000 |
| Estimated Initial Investment | $205,754 | $561,527 |
| Name of Fee | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Training Expenses | $1,175 | $2,450 |
| Software and Equipment | $1,554 | $99,871 |
| Leasehold Improvements, Construction, Remodeling, Decorating | $2,700 | $7,500 |
| Exterior Signage | $5,000 | $12,000 |
| Marketing and Brand Identification | $14,205 | $31,131 |
| Professional Fees (lawyer, accountant, etc.) | $1,000 | $3,000 |
| Additional Funds (12 months) | $0 | $55,000 |
| Estimated Initial Investment | $35,634 | $220,952 |
| Type of Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Royalties | Sliding scale of 6% to 1.5% of the Gross Sales. |
| Marketing Fund Contribution | 1% of Total Monthly Receipts, not to exceed $8,185 (as adjusted from time to time by us to reflect any changes in the Consumer Price Index) per Center, per annum. |
| Direct Mail | $4,300 to $8,700 per year. |
| Virtual Sales Manager Program | $4,500 |
| Pay-Per-Click Advertising | $2,400 to $6,000 per year. |
| Customer Survey and Follow-up | Initial set up fee of $300, plus a monthly fee of $75 |
| Local Advertising Cooperative Contribution | Not to exceed 1% of Total Monthly Receipts for without approval of the Local Advertising Cooperative. |
| Marketing Resource Center (MRC) Fees | Will vary based on project. |
| Local Website | Initial set up fee of $400, plus a hosting fee of $50 per month. |
| FranConnect (CRM) Franchise Management System | $35 per month. |
| BrandDirect Online Ordering and Document Management System | Initial set up fee of $750 plus a quarterly fee of $300 |
| WorkStream eCommerce | Initial set up fee of $750 to $3,995, plus a monthly fee of $435 to $3,000 |
| Convention Registration Fees | The then-current registration fee (currently, $549) |
| Optional Marketing Programs | Each program will typically vary from $100 to $500 |
| Transfer Fee | 20% of the then current initial franchise fee charged for an Existing Center, plus any referral fees or broker fees. |
| Audit or Inspection | Cost of audit, including the charges of any independent accountants, travel expenses and per diem personnel charges (currently $ 1,000 per day per person). |
| Additional Assistance Expense | Travel and lodging expenses incurred, plus the then applicable per diem charges (currently $250 per day per person). |
| Email Hosting Fee | Will vary based on type of service you select, currently $2 to $12/month per user. |
| Interest | Lesser of 1.5% of the monthly outstanding balance or highest contract rate of interest allowed by law |
| Insufficient Fund Fee | Currently $25 but subject to change. |
| Insurance | Amount needed to reimburse the franchisor for mandatory insurance coverage. |
| Costs, accounting and attorneys' fees | Will vary based on circumstances. |
| Indemnification | Will vary based on circumstances. |
| Acquisition Retainer Fee | If the franchisee retains the franchisor to provide acquisition consulting services to you regarding the potential acquisition of an independent marketing and business communication services business, $1,000 to $2,500. (However, if these services are retained in connection with the acquisition of the original independent marketing and business communication services business for the first Center, the franchisor will waive this fee.) If franchisees retain the franchisor to provide limited assistance relating to business evaluation and analysis, $500 |
| Termination Fee | For Advantage Centers: During the Initial Term - unpaid amounts owed to the franchisor, plus a termination fee equal to $55,000 (as periodically adjusted by the franchisor to reflect any changes in the Consumer Price Index); following the initial term unpaid amounts owed to the franchisor, plus a termination fee equal to the greater of (a) $55,000 (as periodically adjusted by the franchisor to reflect any changes in the Consumer Price Index) or (b) the previous 12 months of aggregate RoyaIties paid multiplied by 5 For All Centers Other Than an Advantage Center: Unpaid amounts owed to us, plus a termination fee equal to the greater of (a) $55,000 (as adjusted from time to time by us to reflect any changes in the Consumer Price Index) or (b) the previous 12 months of aggregate Royalties paid multiplied by 5 |
| Liquidated Damages | Will vary based on circumstances. |
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