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If your questions are not addressed in
the FAQ's below, please
email us.
Requirements
Q. What are the minimum criteria to
become a SHIELD® Security Systems Franchisee?
A. SHIELD® Security Systems looks at two primary criteria when
approving franchisees. The first is operational experience
including business or management experience with strong
communication skills. The second criteria is financial, which
requires a net worth of $350,000 and $50,000 in liquid assets.
Q. What are SHIELD® Security Systems’
fees?
A. SHIELD® Security Systems has a franchise fee of $35,000
with a TOTAL INVESTMENT of $39,450 - $66,700. Franchisees pay
royalties of 5% of gross sales and a 1 % National Advertising
Fee. Franchisees are required to spend 5% toward Local
Advertising.
Q. If I don’t meet the financial or
operational criteria myself, can I buy a SHIELD® Security
Systems Franchise with partners?
A. Yes, as long as the total net worth, liquidity and
experience requirements are met by the members of the
partnership.
Q. Does SHIELD® Security Systems
provide financing for franchise development?
A. We do not offer financing since our capital requirements
were established so that financing is not necessary.
Q. Can I convert my existing security
company into a SHIELD® Security Systems Franchise?
A. Yes you can. We offer a very attractive program for
existing security dealers. Your franchise fee is based upon
your current level of experience and the size of your existing
customer base. It’s important to remember that you maintain
ownership of your existing accounts. This is not a dealer
program!
Q. Can I operate a SHIELD Security
Systems franchise from my home?
A. Yes, Our franchise was specifically designed as a home
based business which means your daily operating expenses are
very low. You may, however, elect to move to a commercial
location at any time.
Q. Do I need any sales experience?
A. No, Our franchisees need business experience and strong
communication skills.
Q. Do I need an electronics
background?
A. No, we will give you the technical skills you need to
operate.
Q. How do I find qualified installers
and technicians?
A. During your initial training, we will teach you how to
find, interview and hire competent installers. This takes
place prior to your commencement of operations.
Sales and Marketing
Q. How do I build a customer base?
A. Marketing is the strongest element of our franchise. Our
marketing program consists of 17 elements designed
specifically for our industry. No single strategy is
sufficient in today’s market. Our program has made us an
industry leader.
Q. How do I compete with the national
companies and the free installations?
A. We compete successfully with the national chains for
several reasons. By being an owner operator, you have
consistency that the national companies can’t offer. Our
prices are guaranteed to be competitive and our customer
service is superior. Although we offer a free installation
package it is not our primary market strategy. These are
simply ploys used by our competitors as a “bait and switch”
tactic. Recent history has shown us that these customers
represent a very short life span, low customer loyalty and
labor intensive collection issues.Our marketing and sales
presentation was designed to offer options to the client and
allow them to create the best system to suit both their needs
and their budget. This results in long term clients with
extremely high customer loyalty!
Q. How do I know another franchisee
will not come in and open another SHIELD® franchise in my
area?
A. We offer protected areas to our franchisees. We understand
that competition can be aggressive so we don’t want our
franchisees competing against each other. We currently have
many areas of the country open and available for development.
Please use this Contact Us link to begin the application
process and to get specific answers to territory availability.
Q. What are the Advertising Royalties
used for?
A. 1% of your gross sales are deposited in the national
advertising fund. This money is used to develop marketing
materials for you and other franchisees. It is not used to
market the SHIELD® Franchise.
Operations / Inventory
Q. How much inventory must I
maintain?
A. Less than $4,000.00 which represents approximately ten
complete installations.
Q. Do I have to purchase all products
from you?
A. No, however to insure consistent quality and to meet our
stringent product specifications, we do require you to
purchase control panels with digital communicators and central
station monitoring services from us.
Q. How much do you mark up the
equipment?
A. You enjoy zero mark up on most security products while
receiving our volume discounts.
We do, however, mark up BOSCH products 7% with a 2% discount
if paid by credit card at time of purchase. Based upon our
volume pricing structure, your price will still be
approximately 15% below dealer cost.
Q. Do I need my own central station?
A. No, We will provide that service to you at a wholesale
price and you will offer it to your retail customers.
Technical Support
Q. What other type of ongoing support
does SHIELD® Security Systems provide?
A. SHIELD® Security Systems offers support to include security
system design and layout, purchasing equipment and marketing
support, franchise opening support, and ongoing training and
operations support, among others.
Q. What type of operations support
does SHIELD® Security Systems provide in conjunction with my
first franchise opening?
A. SHIELD® Security Systems recommends that 2-3 managers
attend, and that at least 1 manager graduate from, the full
6-week Jump Start Training Program. This training will begin
about 8 weeks before opening with timeline checklists to be
completed by the Franchisee at their home office and in
conjunction with a SHIELD® Security Systems trainer by
telephone or via email on a weekly basis. SHIELD® Security
Systems will provide all of the computer hardware, software
and training materials to complete this training. At least one
manager must also successfully complete the 6 days of in-house
training in Buffalo, New York prior to commencing operations.
SHIELD® Security Systems will pay the cost of the in-house
training and the franchisee will be responsible to cover costs
associated with travel, room and board, and miscellaneous
expenses for their managers’ training.
Getting Started
Q. How long will it take before I can
start doing business?
A. You should be operational within 90 days after securing
your territory.
Q. SHIELD® Security Systems sounds
like exactly the franchise I’m looking for and I like the
quality of the customer service as well as the recurring
revenue aspect of the business. What is my first step to
becoming a franchise owner?
A. Use the Contact Us link here to access the request for
information form. Once you submit this, we will contact you
shortly to review our franchise and the process associated
with becoming a SHIELD® Security Systems Franchisee.
Q. What geographic areas are
currently being targeted by SHIELD® Security Systems for
development and whom do I call for more information?
A. SHIELD® Security Systems has many “white” space areas which
currently show significant potential to marketing SHIELD®
Security Systems. We are aggressively pursuing development in
these areas so territory availability is constantly changing.
Call (800) 4-SHIELD for more information.
Q. Can I “buy” an area development
territory?
A. SHIELD® Security Systems does not currently offer Market
Development Agreements (MDA’s) to development a specific
geographic territory at this time, however our goal is to have
one in effect in the next two years.
Back To Top
“We are committed to
delivering the finest services and customer support possible!
You will find that we constantly evaluate and improve our
programs to help you maintain your franchise as a
professional, state-of-the-art business.”
If your questions are not addressed in the
FAQ's below, please
email us.
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