INSTANT IMPRINTS Franchise Complaints
Note: This post was originally published in 2012. Comments and updates invited below. Instant Imprints has continued to experience problems and closures to the present day. For more information on the Instant Imprints franchise, its SBA loan defaults and its Canadian franchises, check out the Franchise Issues (FranchiseIssues.com) website.
The Instant Imprints franchise has an outrageous 49% SBA loan default rate, according to a Small Business Administration report.
The Instant Imprints franchise chain has shrunk 64% since 2008, dropping from 80 U.S. franchises to just 29 Instant Imprint franchises at the end of 2011.
Are you familiar with the Instant Imprints franchise?
If so, please share your experience, opinions or insights with a comment below.
Yet despite its seemingly abysmal failure rate, Instant Imprints not only continues to market its franchise opportunity, it uses “risk reduction” as a main selling point (!)
According to the Instant Imprints franchise website:
So, why franchise with Instant Imprints? Franchising is all about risk reduction. Our systems are tested and proven to work. Instead of reinventing the wheel, you will be able to focus on what’s important to you: your business, and your family.
We can help you achieve your financial goals with minimal pains…
You will be able to share the experiences of many other franchisees and learn from experienced staff. All of these benefits combined, plus the powerful support and marketing engines and our unique concept are a great value and an exciting opportunity!
Risk reduction? Really? Data released by the Small Business Administration (SBA) indicates that Instant Imprints franchise owners who qualified for SBA-backed franchise loans have an outrageously high loan failure rate of 49%.
That earns Instant Imprints a spot in UnhappyFranchisee.com’s list of WORST FRANCHISES IN AMERICA (by SBA loan defaults)
Instant Imprints franchise owners have an outrageous 49% SBA default rate.
The apparent drop in Instant Imprints franchises in recent years is also a franchise red flag.
| Instant Imprints Franchise | |
| Instant Imprints U.S. franchises in 2008: | 81 |
| Instant Imprints U.S. franchises in 2011: | 28 |
| Growth in franchise units 2008 – 2011 (#) | -53 |
| Growth in franchise units 2008 – 2011 (%): | -64% |
| SBA loans granted since 2001: | 53 |
| SBA loan failure rate: | 49% |
| Sources: Entrepreneur, Instant Imprints franchise disclosure document (growth), Coleman report (SBA) |
*Note: This chart initially contained typos which have since been corrected.
The inability to repay an SBA-backed loan (or any franchise loan, for that matter) indicates a serious situation for the franchisee.
It’s likely that Instant Imprints franchise owners who received SBA loans may have collateralized their franchise loan with their homes or other personal assets, and many were unable to repay those franchise loans… despite the serious incentive to do so.
Are you familiar with the Instant Imprints franchise opportunity?
What do you think accounts for the SBA loan failure rate of Instant Imprints franchise owners?
What steps should Instant Imprints and No Frill Franchising, Inc. be taking to stop further franchise failures?
Has Instant Imprints and No Frill Franchising, Inc. taken serious action to address the problems that led to these loan failures?
Please share a comment (anonymous is fine) or Contact UnhappyFranchisee.com.
If you are a Instant Imprints franchise representative or employee, please feel free to leave a comment or email us at UnhappyFranchisee[at]gmail.com.
ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE INSTANT IMPRINTS FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY? ARE YOU A CURRENT OR FORMER INSTANT IMPRINTS FRANCHISE OWNER? PLEASE SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.
Instant Imprints, Instant Imprints franchise, Instant Imprints franchise complaints, Instant Imprints complaints, promotional products franchise, embroidery franchise, advertising franchise, apparel franchise, ad specialties franchise, sell promotional products, business service franchise, franchise failure rates, SBA franchise loans, worst franchises, No Frill Franchising Inc., Ralph Askar, Christian Collucci, Bryan Smith, Instant Imprints lawsuits, Instant Imprints litigation
I need some more information as I am planning to engage with them as a Franchise purchaser to one of their outlet in British Columbia Canada.
Thanks and best regards
Amjid Qazi
Surrey BC V3Z 9T1 Canada
Read the article, it sounds like a recipe for failure. Do not be afraid to back out…you do not want to go through an expensive, life-changing, negative experience that will stress you out and possible bankrupt you. Be very leery.
I have been in the embroidery business since 1993 and still operating in 2021. You can be successful in this business without a franchise.
Before you start please do your research especially on cost of equipment, software, employees, location, etc. You have to make a profit for yourself.
All embroidery machines, screen printers, heat presses, sign makers are not made equal. There is a lot of junk on the market and everything has to have maintenance at some time.
Take the time to visit existing shops and never be afraid to ask questions.
Again do your homework first.
Want to know the real facts about the Instant Imprints franchise? Do yourself a favor and check out the website franchiseissues.com first.
Looking for some REAL INFORMATION on the INSTANT IMPRINTS Franchise?
Check out the website FRANCHISEISSUES.COM and save yourself years of disappointment, frustration and devastating financial losses.
Are you considering an Instant Imprints Franchise is the US or Canada?
Get the facts first and save yourself years of frustration and serious financial hardship.
Check out franchiseissues dot com
I had an Instant Imprints store from October 2018 through the end of 2019. Worst mistake of my life! I lost a lot of money. This franchise does not provide the support they say they will. Also, in my opinion it is not a business that should be franchised. It is very technical and the business model is such that the owners are not even supposed to do production. That certainly makes the owner very dependent on getting good employees and ones who can be a master of all trades – DTG, screen-print, embroidering, printing, sign making and also providing good customer service. Very difficult business to operate and extremely expensive with the large overhead. Many of my fellow franchisees have gone out of business and filed bankruptcy.
Check out this website: wwwfranchiseissues.com
I purchased an Instant Imprints Center in October 2018 and closed my business at the end of December 2019. It was the worst 15 months of my life! I would not recommend anyone going with this franchise “opportunity”. Ralph Askar and Christian Collucci will talk a good game but their promises are empty. These people are unethical and will say anything to make the sale. There is no support and very inadequate training. This business is difficult to run and very expensive with the leased equipment, low margins, and high overhead. It is not the “fun and creative” business that they say. It is a grind. The turnover in franchisees is very high. If you are not familiar with the franchise term “churn” please look that up. Instant Imprints executives are masters at that!
The center that I purchased was a re-sale. The man I bought it from had it for 2 years and stated he was just over the breakeven point. I later was able to determine that he had to periodically funnel his own monies from his personal account into the business to stay afloat. I was losing about $5000 per month and when it became apparent that this business was unsustainable, I closed my shop. When I informed Ralph Askar, he seemed very nonchalant. It was clear that this was not the first time that a franchisee had to close their shop. In fact, I think he is used to that. They will try to say that it is the fault of the franchisee, but when you dig deeper, there are so many who have their center a very short time and then bail out well before the 10-year contract is up. If the franchisee is lucky, they will pass this disastrous business “opportunity” on to some unsuspecting buyer. Please do not let that be YOU!
If you want more information, please reach out. I would be happy to talk with you. I do not want anyone else to go through this and to lose their hard earned money.
Lori Francin
Denver, CO
Lefrancin@gmail.com