The Kitchen Tune-Up franchise offers services ranging from restoring and repairing existing finishes to refacing cabinets and installing new cabinetry. With over 270 franchises, the 14-year-old company has doubled their sales in the past five years, says president and founder David Haglund. The majority of sales come from replacing the doors of kitchen cabinets. The next most popular service is cleaning and restoring wood surfaces, then replacing existing cabinets and countertops. For a $25,000 fee, franchise owners receive an exclusive territory for 10 years. The fee includes eight days of training. The company forwards leads from a toll-free number and has a 12-week marketing plan with print advertisements and television spots. Supplies and equipment cost an extra $3,000 to $5,000. Haglund says the franchise also has name recognition for good resale value. The large group has buying power and owners are eligible for rebates. The company also has two national conventions per year.
Kevin Nemmers of Belleview, Iowa, liked the training and support he received when he joined Kitchen Tune-Up. "Corporate can walk me through any problem I might have," he says. Nemmers also likes communicating with other owners. "I can call one of the other franchises and discuss how things are going," he says.
Nemmers says he has had to adjust to making royalty payments every month. The corporate headquarters keeps a track record of the business. "If things go bad, it will raise some red flags. They have the prerogative to audit you," he says. Kitchen Tune-Up ( www.kitchentuneup.com) also has its own supply of product vendors. "If you go outside of the vendor list, the royalties increase," Nemmers cautions.
