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1st Propane
1st Propane operates the only franchise program available in the bulk propane distribution industry. Founded in 1997, 1st Propane has developed proprietary training, marketing and software systems to service its franchises. The company recently completed a round of private equity financing and is undertaking an aggressive national expansion of their franchise program.
Facts & figures
1st Propane Franchise Information:
At 1st Propane, we contract to provide the energy needs of rural homeowners and many types of commercial business and farms. In an industry that generates over $10 billion in revenue per year, propane is an established product that has been in use for over 75 years. It is currently used by over 14 million homes and businesses, as well as over 660,000 farms.
As a 1st Propane franchise owner, you will contract with local homeowners, farms and businesses to provide them with the propane they need for heating and various other uses. Then you will deliver the propane on a predetermined schedule based on the amount of their usage. We provide a tank that is 100 to 1000 gallons in size, and periodically re-fill the tank on-site. The potential for growth is only limited by the number of customers you can acquire and your staff can service. Adding additional employees to serve more customers is made easy due to the training and certification programs included with your franchise.
The key to success is essentially the same for any business venture: find an empty niche in the market and fill it. The founders of 1st Propane recognized such an opportunity in the propane industry and created a franchise program that provides the qualified individual with a plan to garner their share of the market.
Your product is universally needed in areas where conventional energy sources are not readily available or are too expensive. Using our program, the dependability, professionalism and convenience of the service you will be able to offer your clients is one of the real keys to your business success as a 1st Propane franchise owner.
To put more in your pocket, your overhead is intentionally kept very low. In the beginning, you do not need expensive office space out of which to operate your business. And you do not need office personnel.
Our Franchise Program Method of Operation. You will be taught our time-tested methods of operation, procedures and business strategies.
Market Softening. Prior to opening you will follow a strategic marketing plan and use our professionally designed materials to educate and prepare your potential customers for the superior service you will be offering.
Initial Training Program. You will receive extensive training on the 1st Propane way of doing business through a four week training program.
Employee Certification. You and your employees will receive professional training and certification which ensures that workers have both the knowledge and skills to safely perform their jobs.
State-of-the-Art equipment & software. You will be using state-of-the-art equipment. This includes computerized route scheduling for more efficient deliveries and a hand held computer to automate the delivery and customer billing process. You will also have the use of our proprietary software system, developed specifically for your use in managing your 1st Propane dealership.
Centralized Accounting. To ease your paperwork burden and costly staff requirements, your business accounting is performed for you by 1st Propane. Each night your computer is polled via modem and the data collected is compiled, analyzed, and returned to you in the form of management reports and useful statistical data.
Ongoing Support. You can reach us by phone or email at any time during the day when you have a question.
Exclusive Territory. Included with the award of your franchise is a protected territory in which we will not install another 1st Propane dealer.
Continuing Research and Development. While you are devoting your efforts to the management of your business, our corporate staff will be devoting a portion of their efforts to creating new ways for you to operate more efficiently.
