Business Description

Craters & Freighters is the leader in specialty freight solutions, providing expert packaging, crating and shipping services from its network of locations nationwide. Unique to the transportation industry, Craters & Freighters builds customized shipping containers and wood crates engineered to ensure valuable shipments arrive safe, damage-free and on-time.

Franchisor Background

Year Established:  1990

Franchising Since:  1991

Operating Units:
Franchised Units:	65	100%
Company-Owned Units:	0	0%
Total Operating Units:	65	100.0%
Geographic Distribution: U.S.: 65 100% In 30 States Canada: 0 0% In 0 Canadian Provinces International: 0 0% In 0 Foreign Countries   Total: 65 100.0%

North America:
States/Provinces with the largest number of operating units:

Density	Units
1. California	6
2. Florida	6
3. Texas	5

Registered in Following Registration States: California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, District Of Columbia

Financial Requirements

Investment:
Minimum Net Worth:	$150K
Cash Investment:	$
Total Investment:	$90-130K
Average Total Investment:	$100K
Fees:
Initial Franchise Fee:	$27K
Average Franchise Fee:	$27K
On-Going Royalty:	5%
Average Royalty:	5%
Advertising Fee:	1%

Average Number of Employees: 4 Full-time, 0 Part-time

Space Needs (in square footage): 3,000-5,000

Preferred Sites:

Other Sites: Warehouse

Encourage Conversions? Not Applicable

Earnings Claims Provided?: No

Franchisee Qualifications
Ranked from 1 (unimportant) to 5 (important):
Financial Net Worth:	5
General Business Experience:	4
Specific Industry Experience:	2
Formal Education:	4
Psychological Profile:	3
Personal Interview(s):	5
Terms of Contract
Term of Initial Contract:	15 Year(s)
Term of Renewal Period:	15 Year(s)
Passive Ownership:	Allowed, But Discouraged
Area Development Agreements?	No
Sub-Franchising Contracts?	No
Franchisees Allowed to Expand Within Territory?	Yes
Support and Training
International Franchise Association:	Yes
Canadian Franchise Association:	No
Franchisee Association/Member:	Yes, Member
Size of Corporate Staff:	10
Site Selection Assistance?	Yes
Lease Negotiation Assistance?	Yes
Financial Assistance?	No
Marketing Support:
Co-Op Advertising:	Yes
National Advertising:	Yes
Regional Advertising:	Yes
Local Advertising:	Yes
Marketing Materials:	Ad Slicks, Brochures, Catalogs, Coupons/rebates, Direct Mailers, Emails, Promotional Items, Radio Ads, Site Signs, Television Ads, Trade Show Exhibits, Videos
Additional Services:	Grand Opening, In-house Marketing, Marketing Research, Newsletter, Online Extranet, Press Releases, Sales Strategies
Other Marketing Support:	None Specified
On-Going Support:
Central Data Processing:	Included in Fees
Central Purchasing:	Included in Fees
Field Operation Evaluation:	Included in Fees
Field Training:	Included in Fees
Initial Store Opening:	Included in Fees
Inventory Control:	Not Applicable
Franchisee Newsletter:	Included in Fees
Regional or National Meetings:	At Additional Cost
800 Telephone Hotline:	Included in Fees
Training:
1. Home Office in Golden, CO	10 Days
Expansion Plans
Projected New Units Over Next 12 months: 14 U.S.: Yes, All United States Canada: Yes, All Canada Overseas: Yes, All Countries	Request Franchisor Info   Submit an online form to receive information from Craters & Freighters.