Bella Bridesmaids Franchise Costs $93K – $252K (+ 2024 Profits)

Bella Bridesmaids was established in 2000 by Bridget Brown to offer stylish and modern dresses for bridesmaids. The brand began franchising in 2006 to grow its presence across the United States. Each store provides a unique shopping experience, focusing on high-quality bridesmaid dresses that meet individual preferences and wedding styles.

The company’s main office is in Chicago, Illinois, and it has become well-known across the country. Bella Bridesmaids has a welcoming and upscale environment with attentive service, appealing to customers looking for special and tailored shopping for bridesmaid dresses.

This approach has helped Bella Bridesmaids become a big name in the bridal industry, attracting business owners interested in the wedding market. The franchise model also offers strong branding and support to help each franchisee succeed in their local area.

Initial investment

Type of ExpenditureAmount
Initial Franchise Fee$50,000
Initial Lease Payments$1,800 – $30,000
Initial Inventory and Supplies$10,000 – $30,000
Equipment and Fixtures$2,000 – $10,000
Leasehold Improvements and Construction$2,000 – $50,000
Utility Deposits, Business Permits$100 – $500
Costs to Attend Training$1,300 – $3,500
Insurance$1,500 – $5,000
Exterior Signs$200 – $10,000
Computer System$1,000 – $5,000
Professional Fees$1,000 – $8,000
Opening Advertising & Promotional Costs$2,000 – $10,000
Additional Funds (first three months)$20,000 – $40,000
Total$93,000 – $252,000

Note: The table above provides a snapshot of the main costs associated with starting the most common franchise format (as disclosed in the Item 7 of the Franchise Disclosure Document). For a complete overview of all the expenses involved with the various formats offered by the franchisor, please consult the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Franchise fees & Royalties

Initial Franchise Fee

To open the first Bella Bridesmaids franchise, a franchisee must pay an initial franchise fee of $50,000 on the date the Franchise Agreement is signed. This fee is fully earned upon payment and is nonrefundable. For subsequent franchises within a protected Territory, the fee is $10,000, and for those outside the protected Territory, it is 75% of the then-current initial franchise fee.

Royalty Fee

Franchisees must pay a royalty fee, which is the greater of 4% of gross monthly revenue or $600, payable monthly. This fee is due on or before the 10th day of each month and is paid via electronic funds transfer. A $100 late payment fee applies for each delinquent royalty payment.

Local Advertising

A minimum of 1% of annual Gross Revenues must be spent monthly on advertising; any shortfall by the end of the year must also be paid.

Systemwide Marketing Fund

Contributions are based on the previous year’s sales with amounts specified as follows: for sales from $0 to $300,000, the annual fee is $1,000; for sales between $300,000 and $400,000, the fee is $1,500; for sales between $400,000 and $600,000, the fee is $2,000; and for sales greater than $600,000, the fee is one half of one percent (0.5%) of the monthly gross revenue reported. These contributions are payable in 12 equal monthly increments.

Technology Fee

A monthly technology fee of at least $125 is due, which may increase with the addition of future technologies. This fee covers costs associated with various technological services provided by the franchisor.

Software License Fees

Franchisees must pay for software licenses, such as QuickBooks and Squarespace scheduling. These fees are set by the vendors and may change over time. The current monthly fees are $38.50 for QuickBooks (first year), $55.00, and $25.00 for Squarespace.

Additional Training and Operational Assistance

After the first year of operation, franchisees may be charged $150 per hour for additional training or operational assistance that exceeds four hours per month. This is in addition to the costs for initial training provided by the franchisor.

Transfer

If a franchisee wishes to transfer their franchise, a fee of $10,000 is required.

Renewal Fees

For franchise renewal, the current fee is $6,000, payable concurrently with the notice of intent to renew.

How to apply

1. Research and Evaluate the Franchise

  • Investigate the market presence and reputation of Bella Bridesmaids.
  • Understand the unique value proposition of the franchise, focusing on its specialty in bridesmaid dresses.
  • Assess local demand for bridal wear and competitors in your area.

2. Review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)

  • Obtain and carefully read the FDD provided by Bella Bridesmaids.
  • Pay close attention to investment costs, franchise fees, royalty fees, and any ongoing operational costs.
  • Note the legal obligations and the rights provided to you as a franchisee.

3. Secure Financing

  • Evaluate your financial resources to ensure you can cover the initial franchise fee and startup costs.
  • Explore financing options such as loans, investor funding, or personal savings.
  • Develop a detailed business plan to aid in securing loans or investor support.

4. Choose a Suitable Location

  • Identify potential locations based on market research and demographics that align with Bella Bridesmaids’ target clientele.
  • Consider factors such as visibility, accessibility, and proximity to complementary businesses like bridal shops and event planners.
  • Negotiate lease terms if renting a space or evaluate purchasing options.

5. Complete Franchise Application and Approval Process

  • Fill out the Bella Bridesmaids franchise application thoroughly.
  • Participate in interviews or discussions as required by the franchisor to assess your suitability.
  • Await approval from Bella Bridesmaids, which may include background checks and financial assessments.

6. Attend Franchise Training

  • Participate in any mandatory training programs provided by Bella Bridesmaids.
  • Focus on learning the operational procedures, sales techniques, and product knowledge necessary to successfully run the franchise.
  • Network with other franchisees and the franchisor to build relationships and gain insights.

7. Plan and Execute the Store Launch

  • Prepare for the grand opening by planning marketing and promotional activities.
  • Set up the store layout according to the franchisor’s guidelines to ensure brand consistency.
  • Hire and train staff to provide excellent customer service and maintain the brand’s standards.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: This content has been made for informational and educational purposes only. We do not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the information presented in the article. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other professional advice. Nothing contained in this article constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, advertisement, or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction.

All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial and/or legal advice, nor does any information in the article constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.

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