TruServ Offers Party Rental Help to Franchises
Hardware stores in the True Value franchise system now can add a party rental service under the new Party Department Program, introduced during the 2001 TruServ Rental Market convention in January in Miami. Chicago-based TruServ operates the world's largest member-owned hardware wholesale cooperative, including more than 8,500 retailers.
According to Tom Capalbo, general manager for the TruServ Rental Division in Cary, Ill., the new program gives franchisees “a starting point in the party business.” Franchisees agree to devote roughly 600 square feet of their stores to the operation and invest about $40,000 in party rental inventory from approved vendors. TruServ can assist with financing.
In return, TruServ provides training in party rental operations. The first three-day seminar will take place in April; TruServ will host four such sessions this year, Capalbo said. The training will include “the ins and outs of equipment, how to sell and how to become specialty-certified,” he added. “It ranges from basic to advanced. There is a difference in labor intensity [between party rental and tool rental].” Franchisees in the Party Department Program can stage their own advertising programs announcing the party rental inventory or buy circulars through TruServ.
TruServ Rental Division
201 Jandus Road
Cary, IL 60013-2889
847/462-5440
