News & Awards

Independent Study Shows Franchise Owners are Highly Satisfied with CCI’s Performance

MOKENA, IL. – (January 14th, 2021) – Creative Colors International, the nation’s leading on-site repair and restoration franchise, was recently named a Top Franchise for 2021 by Franchise Business Review. This is the 16^th annual ranking of the 200 best franchise opportunities as rated by franchise business owners. 

The complete list is available at https://franchisebusinessreview.com/page/top-franchises/.

Creative Colors International is a unique mobile repair and restoration franchise business specializing in the repair, reconditioning, protection, and color restoration of leather, vinyl, fabric, plastic, and carpeting in the automotive, furniture, commercial, and residential markets.

Franchise Business Review, a franchise market research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction, provides the only rankings and awards for franchise companies based solely on actual franchisee satisfaction and performance. Franchise Business Review publishes its rankings of the top 200 franchises in its annual Guide to Today’s Top Franchises.

Creative Colors was among over 300 franchise brands, representing more than 28,000 franchise owners, that participated in Franchise Business Review’s research. CCI’s franchisees were surveyed on 33 benchmark questions about their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of their franchise systems, including training & support, operations, franchisor/franchisee relations, and financial opportunity.

“It is once again a great honor and recognition to be named a top franchise by Franchise Business Review,” said Mark J. Bollman, President of Creative Colors International. “CCI takes great pride in enhancing the franchisee opportunity and experience in many of the areas of FBR’s categories of research.  The feedback given by our franchisees are a testament to our continued success and the satisfaction of our franchise owners.”

Creative Color’s survey data showed the following:

• Creative Colors exceeded FBR’s benchmark franchisee satisfaction numbers in the areas of Core Values, Training & Support, Franchise System, and Overall Satisfaction.
• CCI again ranked highest in the category of Core Values. This measured how current franchise owners rate the trustworthiness of their franchisor; the overall relationship with their franchisor and their level of respect for the entire franchise organization; their franchisor’s corporate culture and the promotion of honest and ethical business practices; and the level to which their franchisor truly cares about the success of their business.
• CCI also rated very highly in Self-Evaluation. This indicates how current franchise owners rate their own personal enjoyment in being part of the franchise organization as a whole and how they rate their own personal enjoyment in operating their franchise business.

“There are thousands of successful franchise companies operating in North America, but many of those companies do not offer a solid investment opportunity for the actual franchise owners,” said Eric Stites, CEO of Franchise Business Review. “As an independent research firm, we rate the franchise companies in the marketplace today and identify those with the highest levels of satisfaction and performance among their franchisees in order to educate potential buyers and help them choose which franchise to invest in. The companies on this year’s list are the top performing brands in the key areas critical to their franchisees’ success.”

Visit FranchiseBusinessReview.com to see the full description of the 2021 Top Franchises.

To learn more about Creative Colors International franchise opportunities, please visit www.creativecolorsintl.com.

About Creative Colors International

Launched in 1991, the Creative Colors International (CCI) franchise system was created through its affiliate, J&J’s Creative Colors, the original industry leader in refurbishment techniques and systems. Today, both companies continue to be family-owned and operated by the second generation. Catering to the abundance of upholstered items in every home, business, and vehicle, CCI is the ultimate in on-site repair, restoration, cleaning, protection, and dyeing of leather, vinyl, plastic, and fabric. Through proprietary technology, CCI restores damaged material at a fraction of replacement costs, saving customers up to 90 percent. CCI repairs are stronger than the original area and are nearly invisible to the naked eye. In the Automotive, Furniture, and Commercial Markets, CCI offers on-site repair and restoration to all types of leather, vinyl, fabric, plastic, and carpeting by repairing and re-dyeing holes, cuts, tears, burns, scrapes, fading, and discoloration. For more information on CCI’s services and franchise opportunities, visit www.wecanfixthat.com.

Media Contact:

Kevin Behan

919-459-3595

kbehan@919marketing.com

Creative Colors International Inc. is celebrating Veterans Day by saluting its valuable veteran franchisees.

Veterans play a vital role in the franchise community. Veterans account for seven percent of the United States population, but at least 14 percent of franchisees served in the military, reported VetFran, a strategic initiative of the International Franchise Association designed to provide franchising information to veterans. There are 2.52 million businesses owned by veterans in the U.S., according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Veteran-owned small businesses employ more than 5 million people in the United States and generate revenue of  $1.14 trillion, according to a report from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Veteran-owned businesses represent nearly 10 percent of all U.S. businesses.

“CCI prides itself on being a great business opportunity for veterans interested in pursuing entrepreneurship,” said Mark J. Bollman. “The company offers a discount to veterans interested in business ownership.”

Jeremy Weber, a successful CCI veteran franchisee, relies on team-building skills he honed during his tenure in the armed forces to run his successful mobile leather and vinyl repair franchise. In 1993, directly out of high school, Weber joined the United States Marine Corps. He primarily served as a mortarman, which is a crew server weapon system. Mortarmen rely on a team for communication, as they often cannot see their target. Weber would typically operate on the gunline or at a command center with a group of people coordinating and directing the activity on the battlefield.

Weber was stationed at Camp Pendleton and did two tours aboard the USS Essex, which was primarily in the Persian Gulf and the Western Pacific theatre of operations, before he left the military in 1997. Following his time in the military, Weber was in charge of information technology for Farmers Insurance and operated a consulting business. In 2015 he opted to pursue entrepreneurship as a franchisee for CCI.

“Creative Colors was the right fit for me,” Weber said. “I think there is a sense of belonging and being part of a larger unit in franchising that is familiar to those who have served in the military.

Franchising gave Weber the opportunity to be part of a team, which he finds essential for  success when it comes to operating his Creative Colors of West Michigan franchise. “What gives me the most passion is building a team and directing them, setting boundaries and clearing roadblocks and setting people up for success as a team, not as an individual,” he said. “We are here for a common objective, and as long as we are all focused on the team’s goals before the individual, then we will all succeed,” he added.

CCI, which specializes in repairing, restoring or replacing damaged vinyl, leather, fabric or plastic goods, has partnered in the past with USA Cares, a charity that provides financial and advocacy assistance to post 9/11 active-duty U.S. military service personnel, veterans and their families. The Mokena, Illinois-based CCI awarded a qualified veteran a free franchise and strives to hire veterans as certified service technicians. CCI also provides franchise discounts to veterans.

Franchisees with CCI operate a home-based business requiring low overhead and offering high profit potential. CCI provides intensive training for new business owners and ongoing consultation by hosting conferences and being available to solve problems on a day-to-day basis online or via telephone.

For more information about CCI, visit: www.creativecolorsintl.com/.

Celebrate Boss’s Day by kicking your job to the curb and tackling a new career that puts you in charge of your future.

Boss’s Day is celebrated annually in October in both the United States and Canada. Traditionally, Boss’s Day was established to show appreciation and recognition for all the dedicated bosses. Creative Colors International Inc., the nation’s mobile leader in leather and vinyl repair, encourages hard-working Americans to use this day as an opportunity to take charge of their future and become their own boss.

“The Creative Colors International vinyl and leather repair franchise has been designed for entrepreneurs who want to enjoy the rewards of their efforts,” said Mark J. Bollman, president and co-owner of the Mokena, Illinois-based franchisor. “CCI puts tremendous growth potential at your fingertips and features modest start-up costs, complete training and on-going support. CCI is a great opportunity for a person to become their own boss.”

One of the primary causes of stress for many Americans is coping with their boss, according to the American Institute of Stress. At least 52 percent of corporate workers are not completely satisfied with their potential for promotion, and 65 percent experience on-the-job stress, according to a recent Gallup poll. They are hungry for a chance to venture out on their own. Three out of every five Americans want to open their own business, according to a recent study by Vistaprint, a small-business resource.

Fear of failure and financial concerns keep many people chained to their corporate desks, relying on their boss to map out their career trajectory. Entrepreneurship offers individuals the chance to be in control, work flexible schedules and unlock potential profits.

If being your own boss sounds ideal, the next step is to find an opportunity you can afford and enjoy. Starting a business from scratch gives you the autonomy and control you desire, but it’s a risky proposition. More than 20 percent of businesses fail during the first year, and 30 percent fail by the end of year two, according to Fundera, a financial resource for small businesses.

Franchising provides budding entrepreneurs with the chance to hop off the corporate hamster wheel by operating a proven business model with ample training and support. As a franchisee, you will have the backing of a parent company that wants you to succeed, as well as an entire system of franchisee peers offering knowledge and insights to help you generate profits and retain employees.

Mobile Leader in Leather and Vinyl Repairs

CCI performs on-site repairs to restore damaged items to like-new condition while providing your customer significant cost savings versus replacement; sometimes as much as a 90 percent savings. The company uses proprietary tools and methods to meticulously eliminate fading, tears, rips, scrapes, gouges, scratches and scuffs. In many cases, we can even successfully restore items that have been damaged by fire or water to a like-new condition. CCI provides top-quality leather, vinyl, fabric and upholstery repairs, as well as exceptional customer service. Following the outbreak of COVID-19, CCI started offering sanitizing and disinfecting services using a proprietary, hospital-grade cleaner and deodorizer.

State-of-the-Art Training Program

New CCI franchisees receive four weeks of intensive training to get them ready to operate their mobile business. The initial training includes two weeks of classroom and hands-on training to learn the basics. New franchisees are taught CCI’s technical, operations, sales and managerial skills. Next, they spend a week learning about the administrative side of the business. The last week is spent with a franchisee during their grand opening to help get their business up and running. But, training doesn’t end after a new franchisee takes the wheel. CCI offers ongoing assistance through advanced technical seminars, annual conferences, field visits, as well as online and phone support.

Promotional and Marketing Support

In addition to training and ongoing support, new franchisees receive promotional materials and access to CCI’s exclusive product line. CCI offers print ads, pamphlets and fliers, as well as vehicle graphics and uniforms by order. CCI’s home office exhibits at leading trade shows across the country to raise brand awareness for corporate accounts. They also offer booths and tools for franchise owners to exhibit at smaller shows in their local markets.

If you are interested in working for yourself and want to operate a business with a successful history, learn more about CCI by visiting: www.creativecolorsintl.com/franchise-opportunities/

Creative Colors International is featured in the May 11th, 2020 edition on www.insightsuccess.com

It’s one of the most fascinating and joyful moments for people when they buy the things they’ve really desired for a long time. It could be their first car with a scintillating interior, an appealing sofa with a smooth comforting fabric, a customized chair perfect for work, and many such crafted things, personalized as per their needs and taste.

However, just like everything else, these loved possessions lose their radiance, captivating features and applications as time passes by. They become dull, get torn and worn off from the natural grace that they once had. In such times, users or customers look for companies that can revive their belongings and bring back the newness. Though many companies in the market promise to repair and restore things to their original forms, we at Insights Success, believe Creative Color International can provide an unmatched service over most of them.

The original co-founders of the business Jim and JoAnn Foster, with their extensive industry experience and passion to start their venture, turned the ignition key of CCI’s first mobile van in 1980. Back then the company was known as J & J’s Creative Colors, Inc.

As growth continued through years, and additional mobile units were added in the Chicago area, customer demand spurred the necessity of opting to adopt a franchise model to fuel expansion. Hence, to serve its rising customer base and expand its footprint across the United States, the company was transformed and renamed Creative Colors International Inc.

Today, under the leadership of Mark J. Bollman, President of CCI, the franchisor continues to repair and restore damaged items back to their original grace.

“CCI values its team members and provides franchisees with ongoing support by staying tuned in to market conditions in each sector.”

Exhibiting Distinction

CCI’s certified technicians are equipped with the latest advanced equipment, products and repair processes in the industry. They eliminate scuffs, scratches, gouges, scrapes, rips, tears and color fading, which occurs over time due to normal wear and tear. This, in turn, helps its customers to save costs by repairing damaged items versus buying replacements.

The franchisees’ business has grown by providing customers with quality repairs, superior customer service and value. The business model has helped the franchise expand its footprint. For example, CCI has recently decided to promote leather apparel repair. Though it is an additional service in its wheelhouse, it is not a common request. A customer brought a family heirloom, a vintage Chicago Bears jacket that was faded and worn. The franchisee’s technician was able to restore it to its original form and help the company to start promoting its leather apparel repair skills.

Converting Challenges into Opportunities

CCI’s goal is to develop products and services that bring value to its customers. As the outbreak of COVID-19 has created hurdles for other companies to deliver their services, CCI has been developing solutions to protect and deliver quality services to its customers in such dire circumstances. The pandemic has promoted the franchise to work directly with its manufacturers. It has recently introduced a sanitizing and disinfecting solution that also eliminates odors. This new product can become a game-changer for many of its clients in the car rental business, healthcare and restaurants, as they grapple with customer safety during this epidemic.

CCI’s Franchisee Model

CCI makes it a priority to listen to its franchise owners and staff. It believes that people, if provided with the right tools, can become very successful under its business model. Thus, CCI’s initial training is followed up with periodic seminars and an ongoing support team to assist technicians and franchisees with any concerns. It ensures that its franchisees are aware of the latest trends in the market that can help to spark innovation and business growth.

As CCI is a service-based business, the franchisee is adaptable and flexible to resolve its customers’ problems. It aims to get the job done right the first time, at a fair price and with a smile.

Taking Care of the Environment

Apart from working with  EPA-approved products to sanitize workplaces during the COVID-19 pandemic, CCI regularly takes initiatives to preserve the environment. For the past 25 years, CCI has been an innovator and leader in using water-based products, which has less odor and is safe for the environment.

The franchise has switched from solvent products for the benefits of protecting its clients and customers’ environment. Its quality-controlled manufacturing processes ensure CCI products are clean, non-toxic, non-hazardous and biodegradable. Also, by offering repair and restoration services, the business model naturally reduces water and promotes recycling.

Setting New Benchmarks

Providing such remarkable products and services helped the franchisee gain incredible profits and nationwide recognition. Recently, CCI reached $20 million in its systemwide sales. In 2020, the franchisee has been featured in Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 list for the second consecutive year. The ranking recognizes CCI’s outstanding performance in areas such as franchise unit growth, financial strength, stability, and brand power.

Later this year, the company plans to expand its national footprint with its first franchise in Hawaii. The company strives to adapt and develop innovative approaches that will allow its customers to keep their beloved belongings with them for a long time.

To know more, visit: https://wecanfixthat.com/

Link to original feature article here on Insight Success

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Entrepreneur Magazine Names Nation’s Leading On-Site Repair and Restoration Franchise the #69 Bargain Buy in April 2020 Issue

 MOKENA, IL. – (May 06, 2020) – Creative Colors International, the nation’s leading on-site repair and restoration franchise, was recently recognized by Entrepreneur magazine on its prestigious list of the top franchises for under $100,000.

The news was announced in the magazine’s April 2020 issue. Creative Colors International (CCI) ranked #69 on the list. The list was based on scores received in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list earlier this year. CCI ranked #410 on the Franchise 500 list for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power.

“So many people consider owning their own business but never take the steps to do so because they assume that it takes too much money,” said Mark J. Bollman, President of Creative Colors International. “Our mobile, home-based business model allows for low overhead and affordable startup costs, especially when you consider our financing options.”

“Business ownership gives many people the opportunity for greater control over their careers and their personal wealth,” added Bollman. “We make sure to provide our franchisees with all the support they need to be successful.  When you buy a Creative Colors International franchise, you go into business for yourself, not by yourself.”

That support includes initial and ongoing training, an established client base so the franchise begins generating revenues immediately, national accounts, and exclusive and protected territories.

“It is an honor to once again be recognized as a cost-conscious investment by such a prestigious magazine as Entrepreneur,” said Bollman. “It is the industry-leading resource for many people considering the purchase of a franchise.”

To learn more about Creative Colors International franchise opportunities, please visit www.creativecolorsintl.com.

About Creative Colors International

Launched in 1991, the Creative Colors International (CCI) franchise system was created through its affiliate, J&J’s Creative Colors, the original industry leader in refurbishment techniques and systems. Today, both companies continue to be family-owned and operated by the second generation. Catering to the abundance of upholstered items in every home, business, and vehicle, CCI is the ultimate in on-site repair, restoration, cleaning, protection, and dyeing of leather, vinyl, plastic, and fabric. Through proprietary technology, CCI restores damaged material at a fraction of replacement costs, saving customers up to 90 percent. CCI repairs are stronger than the original area and are nearly invisible to the naked eye. In the Automotive, Furniture, and Commercial Markets, CCI offers on-site repair and restoration to all types of leather, vinyl, fabric, plastic, and carpeting by repairing and re-dyeing holes, cuts, tears, burns, scrapes, fading, and discoloration. For more information on CCI’s services and franchise opportunities, visit www.wecanfixthat.com.

Media Contact:

Kevin Behan

919-459-3595

kbehan@919marketing.com