Business Description

North America's largest specialty retailer of ergonomic and back care products. We are in the comfort business, many of our products are designed to relieve or eliminate back and neck pain.

Franchisor Background

Year Established:  1984

Franchising Since:  1989

Operating Units:
Franchised Units:	111	100%
Company-Owned Units:	0	0%
Total Operating Units:	111	100.0%
Geographic Distribution: U.S.: 107 96.4% In 35 States Canada: 4 3.6% In 1 Canadian Provinces International: 0 0% In 0 Foreign Countries   Total: 111 100.0%

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

Density	Units
1. California	27
2. Florida	11
3. Texas	12

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:	$450K
Cash Investment:	$85K
Total Investment:	$227.5-367.5K
Average Total Investment:	$298K
Fees:
Initial Franchise Fee:	$49.5K
Average Franchise Fee:	$49K
On-Going Royalty:	4-5%
Average Royalty:	4%
Advertising Fee:	2%

Average Number of Employees: 3 Full-time, 1 Part-time

Space Needs (in square footage): 2,600

Preferred Sites: Free-standing Building, Storefront, Strip Center, Regional Mall

Other Sites:

Encourage Conversions? Not Applicable

Earnings Claims Provided?: Yes

Franchisee Qualifications
Ranked from 1 (unimportant) to 5 (important):
Financial Net Worth:	4
General Business Experience:	4
Specific Industry Experience:	3
Formal Education:	3
Psychological Profile:	2
Personal Interview(s):	5
Terms of Contract
Term of Initial Contract:	10 Year(s)
Term of Renewal Period:	10 Year(s)
Passive Ownership:	Allowed, But Discouraged
Area Development Agreements?	Yes, for 0 Year(s)
Sub-Franchising Contracts?	No
Franchisees Allowed to Expand Within Territory?	No
Support and Training
International Franchise Association:	Yes
Canadian Franchise Association:	No
Franchisee Association/Member:	Yes, Member
Size of Corporate Staff:	32
Site Selection Assistance?	Yes
Lease Negotiation Assistance?	Yes
Financial Assistance?	Yes, Indirect
Marketing Support:
Co-Op Advertising:	Yes
National Advertising:	No
Regional Advertising:	No
Local Advertising:	No
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:	None Specified
Other Marketing Support:	None Specified
On-Going Support:
Central Data Processing:	Not Applicable
Central Purchasing:	Not Applicable
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:	Included in Fees
800 Telephone Hotline:	Included in Fees
Training:
1. Corp HQ	10 Days
2. On-Site	1 Week
Expansion Plans
Projected New Units Over Next 12 months: 20 U.S.: Yes, All United States Canada: Yes, All Canada Overseas: No	Request Franchisor Info   Submit an online form to receive information from Relax The Back.