Business Description

Manufacturer and world's largest retailer of hearing systems, with 1,287 offices nationally. MIRACLE-EAR also has master franchisors in 20 foreign countries.

Franchisor Background

Year Established:  1948

Franchising Since:  1983

Operating Units:
Franchised Units:	930	83.4%
Company-Owned Units:	185	16.6%
Total Operating Units:	1,115	100.0%
Geographic Distribution: U.S.: 1,095 98.2% In 50 States Canada: 0 0% In 0 Canadian Provinces International: 20 1.8% In 0 Foreign Countries   Total: 1,115 100.0%

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

Density	Units
1. California	96
2. Florida	74
3. Texas	39

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:	$100K
Cash Investment:	$50-150K
Total Investment:	$100-200K
Average Total Investment:	$150K
Fees:
Initial Franchise Fee:	$28-60K
Average Franchise Fee:	$44K
On-Going Royalty:	$46.50/Unit
Average Royalty:	-1%
Advertising Fee:	$26/Inquiry

Average Number of Employees: 2 Full-time, 1 Part-time

Space Needs (in square footage): 750

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

Other Sites:

Encourage Conversions? Not Applicable

Earnings Claims Provided?: No

Franchisee Qualifications
Ranked from 1 (unimportant) to 5 (important):
Financial Net Worth:	4
General Business Experience:	4
Specific Industry Experience:	2
Formal Education:	3
Psychological Profile:	4
Personal Interview(s):	4
Terms of Contract
Term of Initial Contract:	5 Year(s)
Term of Renewal Period:	5 Year(s)
Passive Ownership:	Not Allowed
Area Development Agreements?	Yes, for 1 Year(s)
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:	No
Size of Corporate Staff:	3
Site Selection Assistance?	Not Applicable
Lease Negotiation Assistance?	No
Financial Assistance?	N/A
Marketing Support:
Co-Op Advertising:	No
National Advertising:	No
Regional Advertising:	No
Local Advertising:	No
Marketing Materials:	None Specified
Additional Services:	None Specified
Other Marketing Support:	None Specified
On-Going Support:
Central Data Processing:	Included in Fees
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:	At Additional Cost
800 Telephone Hotline:	Included in Fees
Training:
1. Corporate Headquarters	2 Weeks
2. On-Site	10 Weeks
Expansion Plans
Projected New Units Over Next 12 months: 125 U.S.: Yes, West,Midwest Canada: No Overseas: Yes, All Countries	Request Franchisor Info   Submit an online form to receive information from Miracle-Ear.