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The Great Frame UP
The Great Frame Up franchise operates retail stores offering frames, custom framing services, and related products such as artwork and prints, following standardized systems, specifications, and procedures under the 'The Great Frame Up' trademark. Stores are typically located in strip centers and target all segments of the public seeking framing and art-related retail services. The franchisor's business model involves selling franchises for full stores and showroom stores, including options like the Market Unit Addendum requiring multiple openings in a geographic area.
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Franchise Costs
6% royalty + 2% ad fund + $395-$695/yr Lifesaver software + $199/yr FrameVue software + up to $500/mo Wizard mat cutter
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
This franchise did not provide Item 19 financial performance data.
Be careful if you are interested in investing. The lack of financial performance representations may indicate limited data or varying results across franchises.
Extracted Item 19 Section
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Unlock financial performance dataThe Great Frame UP Franchise Analysis
In the niche world of custom framing, The Great Frame Up stands out with its established systems for retail stores in strip centers, but the lack of Item 19 financial performance data leaves a critical gap for investors. SBA loan records hint at real-world funding patterns, while litigation focused on enforcing old agreements raises questions about franchisee retention. What do these signals reveal about long-term viability in a contracting system?
Item 7 details the initial investment range of $113,682 to $209,465, covering build-out for full stores or showroom models, with a $30,000 franchise fee. Ongoing fees stack up: 6% royalty on gross sales, 2% brand/ad fund, plus $395-$695 annually for Lifesaver software, $199/year for FrameVue, and up to $500/month for Wizard mat cutter—potentially pushing total fees over 8-10% in high-use scenarios. No Item 19 means no disclosed revenue or profit benchmarks, forcing reliance on averages like 7 SBA loans at $160,086 each, suggesting mid-sized financing needs but no default rates provided to gauge risk.
System metrics show contraction from 56 to 55 locations (-2% growth in 2023), with just 1 transfer and franchising since 2007 from St. Peters, MO. Litigation centers on recovering unpaid royalties from expired agreements, indicating potential cash flow issues among ex-franchisees rather than broad disputes. For a specialty retail play targeting art enthusiasts, these factors highlight moderate entry costs versus peers but underscore caution on undisclosed earnings and slight shrinkage—ideal for hands-on operators in stable markets, yet demanding scrutiny of local demand before committing.
Analysis based on the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. All figures should be independently verified before making investment decisions.
How The Great Frame UP Compares
Key Insights
- Lower investment than 79% of Specialty Retail franchises
- Higher than average SBA loan default rate in Specialty Retail
| Franchise | Investment | Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The Great Frame UP Current | $114K – $209K | $30K | 6.0% | 55 |
| MERLE NORMAN COSMETICS | $48K – $260K | N/A | N/A | 797 |
| CORNWELL | $80K – $324K | N/A | N/A | 793 |
| BATTERIES PLUS | $285K – $537K | $50K | 5.0% | 601 |
| PET SUPPLIES PLUS | $537K – $2.0M | $50K | 3.0% | 502 |
| WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED | $227K – $379K | $40K | 4.0% | 340 |
Specialty Retail Average 47 franchises | $284K – $703K | $39K | 5.0% | – |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 47 Specialty Retail franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2023)
Outlets by state across the United States
+5 more states
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Unlock location growth dataSBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for The Great Frame UP franchisees (2010 – 2022)
Loans by Year
SBA 7(a) loan activity over time
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
7 SBA loans on record
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Unlock SBA loan historyFranchisee Contacts
93 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.
93 Contacts Available
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Unlock contactsDue Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Primarily enforcement of expired franchise agreements and recovery of unpaid royalties.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
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Unlock due diligence reportsFrequently Asked Questions
The total initial investment to open a The Great Frame UP franchise ranges from $113,682 to $209,465. This includes a franchise fee of $30,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 6.0% of gross sales.
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