Educational Outfitters

Founded: 1998 Franchising since: 2001
Chattanooga, Tennessee-based Educational Outfitters was founded by Jamey and Brian Elrod in 1998 to make school uniform shopping more convenient for parents. The company sells tops, bottoms, jackets and accessories for public and private elementary, junior high and high school students.

8002 E. Brainerd Rd. Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421

Phone: (877)814-1222/ (423)499-5052

Franchisor has 7 employee(s); 2 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2009	34	0	0	2
2008	37	0	0	0
2007	31	0	0	0
2006	27	0	0	0
2005	22	0	0	0

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

Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: 1 million population

Special Programs
Educational Outfitters participates in fund-raising drives for local schools.

Total investment: $93.2K-201.95K Franchise fee: $29.5K

Ongoing royalty fee: 5% Term of agreement: 10 years, renewable

Type of Financing Available

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

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $400K
Cash liquidity requirement: $150K
Business Experience:

• General business experience
• Marketing skills

Operations

• 5% of all franchisees own more than one unit
• Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2
• Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training

• Available at headquarters: 1 week
• At franchisee's location: 1 week

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:
#430 (2009); #406 (2008); #397 (2007); #396 (2006); #408 (2005);

Top New Ranking:
#29 (2006); #37 (2005);