Episode#76

Mark Crapper, owner and franchisor of the Lounge Repair Guys, outlines key aspects of their franchise business model, emphasising its accessibility and unique setup as a mobile upholstery and furniture repair service. 

In Episode#76 - The business offers a low-cost entry into the market with flexible work schedules, allowing franchisees to run their business autonomously but with strong ongoing support from a central office.

Mark also covers in detail the differences between having a lower cost mobile business entry when compared to his other lengthy experience in food retail, shopping centre based types of franchises.

Each franchisee gains access to a comprehensive marketing strategy, including social media management, a branded work vehicle, and most importantly leads distributed directly from the main office. 

This approach helps ensure a steady flow of business, enhancing the franchisee's ability to focus on service quality and efficiency. The mobile nature of the service also minimises overhead costs and expands the reach to clients who prefer repairs done on-site, covering both private and commercial needs. This means that the jobs are often very short tasks, with as little as 1 hour repairs, then onto the next job.

Depending on the jobs required, a day could have 10-11 jobs (small repair tasks), or much less with some larger jobs requiring more time.

This model attracts entrepreneurs interested in a hands-on, client-focused business with growth potential and flexible work-life balance.

0:00 Introduction to Lounge Repair Guys

0:19 What they do repair not re-upholstery

01:18 How the business works as a mobile van business 

01:54 The lower entry costs of the business being mobile and no fixed premises

02:37 Mark’s extensive franchise experience and the key advantages of the mobile franchise

04:10 Low risk of the business model compared to so many other franchises with leads also generated for franchisees 

04:45 How hard is it to learn to do the work in Lounge Repair Guys?

06:31 Repairing old furniture rather than throwing it out 

07:10 The upholstery trade is almost disappearing and the work being picked up is often from retiring upholsteries 

8:27 How many jobs they typically do in a day in their territory as a franchisee

8:58 Corporate accounts and where most of the work comes from - 70% 

10:09 Value proposition as a franchisor to manage large corporate accounts

11:11 Ongoing training and technology and new materials and how there it moves slowly other than electronics in furniture that often fails needing repair

12:26 Wrap up

Podcast Produced by: magnetic business media

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