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Entrepreneur: Start & Grow Your Business

Creative Colors Int'l.

Leather, vinyl & plastic repair, cleaning & dyeing

Background

Founded: 1980 Franchising since: 1991

In 1980, Jim and JoAnn Foster answered an ad in their local paper that described a new technique for dyeing vinyl and leather. The couple bought the license to use the technique in their area and began J&J's Creative Colors.

To strengthen their business, the Fosters began researching, practicing and refining various techniques for repairing vinyl, leather and plastic, incorporating them into their business. J&J's worked with automobile, boat and recreational vehicle dealers, making repairs at the dealers' lots.

The company began franchising in 1990 under the name Creative Colors International. Now franchisees across the country use the Fosters' techniques to repair the interiors of various vehicles at dealer lots before they are sold.


19015 S. Jodi Rd., #E
Mokena, Illinois 60448
Phone:
(800)933-2656/ (708)478-1437


Franchisor has 10 employee(s); 10 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth
Year U.S. Franchises Canadian Franchises Foreign Franchises Company Owned
2009 41 1 0 2
2008 -- -- -- --
2007 57 1 0 10
2006 54 1 0 11
2005 55 1 0 5

Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, 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, West virginia, Wyoming

Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: 50 new car dealerships

Special Programs
Franchisees can earn CCI Bucks by doing things like helping other franchisees, offering tips to the system and talking with prospective franchisees. Bucks can be used for purchasing gifts and trips.

Costs and Fees

Total investment: $53K-63.3K
Franchise fee: $27.5K
Ongoing royalty fee: 6%
Term of agreement: 10 years, renewable


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

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $50K+
Cash liquidity requirement: $20K+
Business Experience:
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

Operations
  • Franchise can be run from home
  • 20% of all franchisees own more than one unit
  • Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1 - 4
  • Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training and Support

Training
  • Available at headquarters: 3 weeks
  • At franchisee's location: 1 week

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

Marketing Support
  • Ad slicks
  • Regional advertising

Rankings

Franchise 500® rank:
#356 (2007); #386 (2006); #439 (2005);

Low-Cost Franchises:
#95 (2007); #124 (2005);