Ace Hardware Corp.

Founded: 1924 Franchising since: 1976
Ace Hardware's history begins in 1924, when four hardware store owners, Richard Hesse, E. Gunnard Lindquist, Franke Burke and Oscar Fisher, joined together to buy merchandise in bulk in order to maximize their profits and compete effectively with larger stores. Over 80 years later, the cooperative has grown to include over 4,600 stores in seven countries, each offering a variety of home improvement merchandise, including Ace's own exclusive line of products.

2200 Kensington Ct. Oak Brook, Illinois 60523

Phone: (630)990-6600

Franchisor is a privately-held company with 1100 employee(s)

Franchise Growth

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2009	4088	0	345	0
2008	4,321	0	372	0
2007	4,229	0	238	0
2006	4,140	0	225	17
2005	4,384	0	219	28

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
Worldwide

Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: Determined by store

Total investment: $400K-1.1M Franchise fee: $5K application fee

Term of agreement: Term of agreement not renewable

Type of Financing Available

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

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $400K
Cash liquidity requirement: $250K
Business Experience:

• General business experience

Operations

• 22% of all franchisees own more than one unit
• Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 15 - 25
• Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (80% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training

• Available at headquarters: 2 weeks
• At franchisee's location: Ongoing

Ongoing Support

• Newsletter
• Meetings
• Toll-free phone line
• Grand opening
• Internet
• Security/safety procedures
• Field operations/evaluations
• Purchasing cooperatives

Marketing Support

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

Franchise 500® rank:
#6 (2009); #12 (2008); #18 (2007);

Ranked #1 in category in:
2009; 2008; 2007;

Fastest-Growing Franchises:
#34 (2009); #44 (2008);

America's Top Global Franchises:
#6 (2009); #12 (2008); #17 (2007);