What does it do?

True Value is an unusual franchise company that facilitates retailer-owned hardware cooperative stores. As a large franchising company with international holdings, True Value offers franchise owners maximum flexibility in choosing the store and the plan that is right for them, from full-service hardware stores to garden centers, rental shops to home centers, and even warehousing and distributing. True Value stores and retail centers carry the power of the tried and true True Value brand, but allow flexibility to customize franchise success to specific markets.

History / Relevant Facts

The True Value story begins with founder John Cotter, who worked in a neighborhood hardware store from age 12, and grew within that ever-growing industry. Having operated his own successful retailer-owned cooperative, called Cotter & Company, since 1948, Cotter then purchased the long-successful True Value trademark in 1963. Today, True Value is one of the world’s largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative companies, representing locations in more than 60 countries totally about $5.5 billion in sales.

Franchise Cost/Investment

As a retailer-owned cooperative, True Value franchise owners enjoy many financial benefits, including lower wholesale costs. Also, as a cooperative system, 100% of profits at the wholesale level are divided and returned to True Value members each year.