If you are looking for information on the Buddy's Home Furnishings franchise business opportunity, Buddy's Home Furnishings franchises or Buddy's Home Furnishings franchising, then you have come to the right place.
Buddy's Home Furnishings is a lease purchase/rent to own franchise that caters to individuals that are not able to get credit or have had something happen to them and they are not traditionally credit worthy. We offer extensive training and marketing and looking forward to welcoming you to our family!
Buddy's Home Furnishings was founded in 1961 by Mr. Norman "Slats" Slatton. Selling used appliances from his home, Slatton had a dream that one day he would have an appliance store of his own where he could service the demands of growing Tampa. A few years later, Slatton's dreams were realized when he opened his first appliance showroom.
Later on Mr. Slatton realized that a growing number of young families were not able to purchase a new television or appliance because they either lacked good credit or were unable to come up with a large down payment. It was at this time the "Rent to Own" plan was introduced to the bay area.
In 2011, Buddy's was excited celebrated its 50th year as a family owned business. Buddy's Home Furnishings currently has over 120 stores in 11 states and 3 countries!
Buddy's product lines include:
Buddy's offers name-brand products, ranging from Ashley Furniture and Serta bedding, to Whirlpool appliances, Sony, LG, and Samsung electronics. Products are offered to customers through "rent to own" programs or traditional retail same-as-cash platforms.
Buddy's caters to the "credit challenged" consumer. Benefits to the consumer include any easy application process, no credit checks, and a wide selection of quality merchandise, flexible rent-to-own payment plans, same-day delivery, and no long-term obligation to keep the merchandise.
Training
Marketing
The information presented may have changed since first published. We recommend that you always verify fees, investment amounts and offers with the business opportunity directly prior to making a decision to invest.
1. What training and ongoing support do you provide?
You want to know what happens after you pay the initial fee. A strong franchisor provides comprehensive pre-opening training, site-selection help, operational playbooks, and continuous assistance with marketing, technology, and supply chains.
2. What is the total initial investment, and did actual startup costs match the estimates in Item 7 of the FDD?
The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) lists estimated startup costs in Item 7, but real-world expenses can run higher. Asking how closely current owners tracked to these estimates reveals if you need extra working capital or if hidden fees exist.
3. How do royalties and local/national marketing fees impact profitability?
You need to understand ongoing financial obligations-such as monthly royalty percentages and ad fund contributions-and evaluate whether the brand value and support justify cutting into your profit margins.
4. What are the common challenges new franchisees face, and how do you help them overcome them?
Transparent franchisors will openly discuss real hurdles like local competition, tight labor markets, or supply chain bottlenecks, and show you the exact playbook or field support they offer to solve them as well as allowing you to speak with other franchisees.
5. How many franchise locations have closed or left the system in the past few years, and why?
High turnover, store closures, or quiet franchise exits are major red flags. This question measures system stability, territory health, and whether the corporate team addresses struggling owners or lets them fail.
