Decorating Den Interiors

Founded: 1969 Franchising since: 1970
Interiors by Decorating Den was started in 1969 to offer interior decorating services to working couples and individuals who didn't have the time to shop for home décor themselves. Today franchisees work out of custom-designed vans, bringing drapery, furniture, carpet and wall covering samples to the customer's home or office. There the franchisee helps the customer select everything from window treatments to furniture to artwork.

All franchisees go through 80 hours of initial training at Decorating Den Lifestyle University. That is followed up by six months of classroom work, home study, meetings, seminars and on-the-job training that may include working with an experienced decorator.

8659 Commerce Dr. Easton, Maryland 21601

Phone: (410)822-9001 Franchisee Association The Leadership Council

Franchisor has 38 employee(s); 6 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2009	403	31	0	0
2008	440	28	0	0
2007	474	30	0	0
2006	471	31	0	0
2005	435	30	2	0

Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. 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, North dakota, New hampshire, New jersey, New mexico, Nevada, New york, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode island, South carolina, South dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West virginia, Wyoming
Outside the U.S.: Canada

Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: Varies

Special Programs
Interiors by Decorating Den sponsors the International Dream Room Contest each year in New York. Franchisees submit pictures of rooms they have decorated. A panel of magazine editors selects the winners, who receive cash prizes.

Total investment: $49.9K Franchise fee: $29.9K

Ongoing royalty fee: 7-9% Term of agreement: 10 years, renewable

Type of Financing Available

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

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $50K
Cash liquidity requirement: $40K
Business Experience:

• General business experience
• Decorating skills; people skills

Operations

• Franchise can be run from home
• 1% of all franchisees own more than one unit
• Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% 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
• Purchasing cooperatives

Marketing Support

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

Franchise 500® rank:
#165 (2009); #140 (2008); #98 (2007); #112 (2006); #121 (2005);

Ranked #1 in category in:
2009; 2008; 2007; 2006; 2005;

Low-Cost Franchises:
#34 (2009); #32 (2008); #27 (2007); #26 (2006); #32 (2005);

Top Home Based Franchises:
#39 (2009); #34 (2008); #26 (2007); #25 (2006); #28 (2005);

America's Top Global Franchises:
#130 (2009); #132 (2008); #84 (2007); #100 (2006); #93 (2005);