Start a Wireless Zone Franchise in 2024

2024 Franchise 500 Rank: #200 Ranked #149 last year

Initial investment: $190K - $446K

Units as of 2024: 743 71.6% over 3 years

Today, tablets, phones, and portable internet devices are not just communication devices anymore. Instead, these devices have become part of our lifestyles, and we are keen to update them regularly. The average American checks their smartphone upwards of 50 times a day.

Wireless Zone is the largest wireless retail franchisor in the country. The company was founded in 1988 as an innovative idea under the name The Car Phone Store. Today, the company has evolved into one of the biggest retail center subsidiary brands of wireless technology carrier, Verizon Wireless. There are hundreds of Wireless Zone franchises in operation all over the United States and the company is actively looking to expand its reach even further.

Why You May Want to Start a Wireless Zone Franchise

Franchisees sell wireless and wireline services, communication devices, and accessories. This includes the sale of smartphones, mobile phones, and accessories such as cell phone battery chargers.

For over 30 years, Wireless Zone has striven to offer unmatched customer service to local communities across the nation. This generally helps the franchise stay a step ahead and create loyalty with their customers. By starting this franchise, you might enter into a business with an already established customer base.

Wireless Zone uses an exclusive carrier business model that has proven useful. With this kind of model, franchisees may receive preferred services from Verizon, reduced inventory, and the ability to serve customers with an expert level of knowledge about the services and products.

What Might Make a Wireless Zone Franchise a Good Choice?

Wireless Zone has been ranked in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 multiple times in recent years. This ranking is based on an evaluation of more than 150 data points in areas including costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability.

To be part of the Wireless Zone team, you should make sure you're financially ready for an initial investment made up of a franchise fee and other startup costs. Wireless Zone may offer a significant discount off the franchise fee for veterans. Additionally, you should be prepared for ongoing fees that will include royalty fees and potential renewal fees. Franchisees will also need to meet the company's set liquid capital requirements.

How to Start a Wireless Zone Franchise

To begin the franchise process, you may fill out the information request form. Wireless Zone may respond to set up a telephone interview with its corporate franchise team. After the consultation, you may be asked to submit an official franchise application.

As part of the process of opening a Wireless Zone franchise, you are expected to complete your due diligence. This includes speaking to current franchisees to gain an understanding of how the franchise operates. Additionally, research the brand and your local area to see if a Wireless Zone franchise would do well in your community. While competition is healthy, too much of it may not allow for the most possible growth.

If the franchising process goes well, you may be ready to sign a franchise agreement. You may soon be using your tech-savvy to support your community and keep them connected to the ones they love.

Company Overview

About Wireless Zone

Industry	Retail
Related Categories	Miscellaneous Retail Businesses, Electronics Stores, Miscellaneous Tech Businesses, Tech Businesses
Founded	1988
Parent Company	Round Room LLC
Leadership	Scott Moorehead, CEO
Corporate Address	10300 Kincaid Dr., #100 Fishers, IN 46037
Social	Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube

Business Overview

Franchising Since	1989 (35 years)
# of employees at HQ	200
Where seeking	This company is offering new franchises throughout the US.
# of Units	743 (as of 2024)

Information for Franchisees

Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a Wireless Zone franchise.

Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees

Here's what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.

Initial Franchise Fee Definition: The initial fee paid to a franchisor to join their system What you need to know: Found in Item 5 of the FDD, this may be a flat fee, or may vary based on territory size, experience, or other factors.The franchise fee is an up-front (one-time) cost that a new franchisee pays to the franchisor. This fee is usually due at the signing of the franchise agreement and covers the right to use the franchisor's trademarks, name, and related business systems.	$1,000 - $25,000
Initial Investment Definition: The total amount necessary to begin operation of the franchise What you need to know: The initial investment includes the franchise fee, along with other startup expenses such as real estate, equipment, supplies, business licenses, and working capital. This is outlined in a chart in Item 7 of the FDD, showing a range of possible costs from low to high.	$190,000 - $445,500
Cash Requirement Definition: The minimum liquid capital you must have available in order to qualify to become a franchisee of this company.	$175,000
Veteran Incentives Definition: A discount or other incentive offered to military veterans who buy a franchise with this company.	50% off franchise fee/transfer fee
Royalty Fee Definition: A ongoing fee paid to the franchisor on a regular basis. What you need to know: Most franchisors require franchisees to pay an ongoing royalty fee, which is detailed in Item 6 of the FDD. This fee is typically a percentage of weekly or monthly gross sales, but may also be a flat weekly, monthly, or annual fee.	9%-22% of gross profit
Term of Agreement Definition: The length of time your franchise agreement will last. What you need to know: Franchise terms are typically anywhere from 5 to 20 years in length, but are sometimes instead dependent on factors such as the term of your lease. Once your term is up, you may have the option to renew your agreement, typically for a smaller fee than the original franchise fee.	7 years
Is franchise term renewable?	Yes

Financing Options

Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.

In-House Financing	Wireless Zone offers in-house financing to cover the following: franchise fee, inventory
Third Party Financing	Wireless Zone has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: startup costs, equipment, inventory

Training & Support Offered

Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.

Classroom Training	80+ hours
Ongoing Support	Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings & Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security & Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Support	Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social Media SEO Website Development Email Marketing

Operations

Additional details about running this franchise.

Is absentee ownership allowed?	Yes
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit? Definition: The business can be run from your home and/or a vehicle, and it is not necessary to have a retail facility, office space, or warehouse.	No
Can this franchise be run part time? Definition: This business can be run by the owner on a part-time basis (less than 40 hours per week) and/or as a side business; it is not necessary for the business to be open/run full-time.	No
# of employees required to run	3-4
Are exclusive territories available? Definition: An exclusive territory is a fixed area in which you are given the right to operate and in which no other units of the same franchise may be opened. What you need to know: Territory size may be based on factors such as radius, population size, zip codes, and more. Details can be found in Item 12 of the FDD.	Yes