Image360 Franchise
Audited FinancialsRisk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$88,452 - $502,239
Franchise Fee
$10,000
Min Cash Required
$50,000
Total US Locations
264
Business Summary
Alliance Franchise Brands LLC offers franchises for centers that provide professional graphic solutions and related products and services. These centers operate under brands such as Image360, Signs By Tomorrow, and Signs Now, offering a range of visual communication solutions, including signage, digital displays, and marketing materials. Franchisees operate these centers to serve businesses and other clients requiring graphic and signage services.
Corporate History
Alliance Franchise Brands LLC was originally organized as Allegra Network LLC in Michigan on October 6, 2000. The company changed its name to Alliance Franchise Brands LLC on December 31, 2019, following a merger with its former affiliate, Sign & Graphics Operations LLC (SGO). As a result of this merger, Alliance Franchise Brands LLC became the franchisor for the Image360, Signs Now, and Signs By Tomorrow franchise systems starting in January 2020. The company has a broader history of offering franchises, having franchised American Speedy Printing and Allegra centers since its inception in 2000, Insty-Prints since 2002, and RSVP and True Install more recently. Alliance Franchise Brands LLC also manages various brands in Canada.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$88,452 - $502,239
Franchise Fee (Low)
$10,000
Franchise Fee (High)
$45,000
Minimum Cash Required
$50,000
Royalty %
6%
Marketing %
2%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$4,200
Equipment Costs (High)
$187,166
Working Capital
$128,260
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
Yes
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
Alliance Franchise Brands LLC has received an unqualified opinion from its independent auditor, indicating that its consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 are presented fairly in all material respects. As of December 31, 2024, Alliance Franchise Brands LLC reported total assets of $20,273,084 and total liabilities of $11,083,130, resulting in members' interest of $9,189,954. The company maintains a strong cash position with $3,758,469 in cash and cash equivalents, plus $1,573,353 in restricted cash for marketing funds. Its long-term debt includes notes payable totaling $5,397,137, which are collateralized by substantially all assets and limited personal guarantees. Alliance Franchise Brands LLC also has a $1,500,000 line of credit that was unused at year-end 2024. Overall, Alliance Franchise Brands LLC demonstrates a healthy financial position with no substantial doubt raised about its ability to continue as a going concern.
Financing Details
Alliance Franchise Brands LLC offers limited direct financing, specifically a deferred payment option for the Kickstart initial marketing deposit for franchisees purchasing a MatchMaker Center. This deposit, totaling $15,000, is due upon the closing of the independent business acquisition, and franchisees sign a promissory note for this amount. The promissory note does not accrue interest unless there is a default or a transfer of the note, in which case interest would accrue at 18% per year or the highest legal rate. The note is secured by the franchise agreement, and all owners must personally guarantee the obligations. Alliance Franchise Brands LLC does not sell or discount this promissory note to third parties. Other than this specific deferred marketing deposit, Alliance Franchise Brands LLC and its affiliates do not offer any other direct or indirect financing to franchisees, nor do they guarantee any franchisee notes, leases, or obligations.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
264
Franchised Units
264
Corporate Units
2
Avg Square Footage
2,000
Franchising Since
2000
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
No
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Count
2
Litigation Summary
Alliance Franchise Brands LLC has two concluded litigation cases. The first involved a Signs By Tomorrow franchisee and its shareholders who filed a complaint in Iowa in April 2017 against a former affiliate, SGO. This complaint alleged breach of contract and breach of good faith related to the termination of a development fund. The case was settled and dismissed in March 2018, involving mutual releases and a three-year extension of the franchise agreement term. The second case was an arbitration demand filed by Alliance Franchise Brands LLC in August 2016 against a former franchisee and its guarantors. Alliance Franchise Brands LLC sought monetary damages for unpaid amounts and failure to comply with post-termination obligations. The respondents counterclaimed, alleging breach of contract, fraud, and other claims. This case was settled in April 2018, with the respondents agreeing to pay Alliance Franchise Brands LLC $100,000 and comply with their post-termination obligations. There is no other litigation required to be disclosed.
Bankruptcy History
Alliance Franchise Brands LLC has no bankruptcy history to report. The FDD states that no bankruptcy information is required to be disclosed in Item 4.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
20 years
Renewal Term
20 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew their franchise, Alliance Franchise Brands LLC franchisees must provide timely written notice, no more than one year and no less than nine months before their agreement expires, of their intent to acquire a successor franchise. They must be in substantial compliance with their current franchise agreement and all System Standards. Franchisees are required to maintain possession of their center's premises or secure an approved substitute location, and must agree to remodel or expand their center to meet current brand standards, regardless of the cost. If required by Alliance Franchise Brands LLC, franchisees must convert their center into a different designated brand. They must sign Alliance Franchise Brands LLC's then-current franchise agreement and any related documents, which may contain materially different terms. Additionally, the center's annual Gross Sales must not have been less than $300,000 for two or more years, starting with the fourth full calendar year of operation. Finally, franchisees are required to sign a general release of any claims, subject to state law.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Alliance Franchise Brands LLC provides extensive support to its franchisees both before and during the operation of their centers. Before opening, Alliance Franchise Brands LLC offers consultation on lease terms and assists new Image360 Center franchisees with site selection and market analysis. It also approves independent businesses for MatchMaker Centers. Franchisees receive set-up services for technology components, a Lobby Accessory Package for most new centers, and initial training for two individuals (up to three weeks, or one week for Advantage Centers, combining virtual and in-person sessions at Alliance University). New Image360 Center franchisees also receive training for a graphic designer/production specialist and up to five days of on-site Center Opening Assistance. Alliance Franchise Brands LLC provides written specifications for equipment, furniture, and signs, along with design specifications for the premises. During operation, Alliance Franchise Brands LLC offers up to 15 days of on-site or virtual opening assistance, periodic advice on center operations, and updates to the electronic Operations Materials. It administers a qualifying revenue guarantee program for new Image360 Centers that do not achieve $180,000 in Gross Sales during their initial 12 months (subject to eligibility criteria). Franchisees also receive lists of recommended vendors, review and approval of local marketing materials, management of system-wide Marketing Funds, maintenance of brand websites, and assistance with selling their center upon request.
Initial Training Hours
166
Training Location
Alliance University in Hanover, Maryland, and virtually
Ongoing Support
Alliance Franchise Brands LLC provides ongoing support to its franchisees through various channels. This includes periodic advice on center operations, updates to the electronic Operations Materials reflecting system improvements, and access to a list of recommended vendors and suppliers. Franchisees receive ongoing review and approval of local marketing materials and benefit from system-wide Marketing Funds, which are used for advertising and public relations programs. Alliance Franchise Brands LLC maintains corporate websites for each brand and can assist franchisees with listing and selling their centers if desired. Franchisees (or their Managing Owners) may be required to attend additional training courses and the annual meeting of all center franchisees, with all associated travel and living expenses borne by the franchisee. Optional online learning opportunities are also available for staff development.
Franchise Requirements
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
No
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
commercial
Owner Participation
full-time
Territory Type
Protected
Staff Count
5
Territory Size Requirements
Alliance Franchise Brands LLC typically defines its Protected Territory by a business count of 4,000 to 5,000 businesses.
Staffing Notes
Alliance Franchise Brands LLC requires individual franchisees or the designated Managing Owner of an entity franchisee to personally manage their center full-time on-premises. For new Image360 Centers, franchisees must hire a professional graphic designer or production specialist before opening, and this position's absence may delay the center's launch. While not required, Alliance Franchise Brands LLC strongly recommends engaging an outbound sales professional within 120 days of the effective date, and the Managing Owner is not permitted to hold this sales position. Franchisees must adhere to minimum employee standards provided in the Operations Manual. For the purpose of calculating professional fees, it is assumed that new Image360 and IDB Centers will have approximately 3 employees, while other center types (MatchMaker, Advantage, existing) will have approximately 6 employees.